Super mini Premna microphylla by Robert Steven. I took the liberty of cropping it a bit, but I think you get the drift anyway (The uncropped original is below).
The smaller the more difficult…
Robert sent us these incredibly tiny bonsai a few days ago. Here’s what he has to say about them and small bonsai in general: As you know, the basic concept in bonsai is to make a mature looking tree that is scaled way down. The smaller the bonsai, the more difficult it is to make. This is because it is difficult to form ramification (branching) and reduce leaf size enough so that the proportions evoke a mature tree in nature.
One of the best species to make super mini bonsai is Premna microphylla because the leaves size can be reduced significantly from its original of approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) to only 2 mm (1/12th inch). Here’s proof from an earlier post.
This post shows some super mini bonsai in my collection. Their size is approximately 2 cm (a little less than 1 inch).
Robert Steven
Robert Steven is a internationally respected bonsai artist, teacher and author. His widely acclaimed and trans-formative books are Vision of My Soul and Mission of Transformation. In addition to traveling, teaching, writing, publishing, creating his own blog and developing his own trees, Robert has been kind enough to offer critiques of our reader’s bonsai. Send us a photo and Robert will generously offer you his critique.
Truly amazing.
Gaya dan warna bonsai pak robert memang agak beda dengan kebanyakan yang ada di indo….banyak dari mereka kurang berani mencoba. salam
Robert,
I really like the super mini bonsai and I know how difficult it is to maintain. I have tried and failed many times.
Dennis
At the Austin Bonsai Society auction, some really nice materials for these little guys were sold at a premium. Robert Steven’s trees possess that “WOW” quality. I hope the buyers see these superb specimen.
Mervellous… congratulations … Robert Stevens is a great bonsaika…
Hi Timmi,
Are you saying that Robert’s super minis were sold in Austin? Or…?
Thank Louis-Philippe,
Agreed!
HI Dennis,
I think the secret is watering. Once you realize that it is very difficult to over-water, then you are less likely to under-water (not water often enough), which is the likely cause of your failure.
Thanks guys…
Wayne, I never sell my bonsai…
Dennis is right, mini bonsai is difficult to maintain especially in retaining enough water in the mini pot.
In my case, I use the finely grained volcanic soil because volcanic soil has good water retaining aspect, I put sponge on the top to evoid the soil being washed out and to keep more water at the same time; then the pot is placed on a tray containing soil (without drainage hole so the soil is always wet).
After awhile, green moss will grow on the sponge, and some roots will grow out through the bottom hole to the outside soil. I also use slow release vertilizer put in the mini pot.
Wow! What amazing mame. I think the idea of placing it in a tray with moistened soil is brilliant. It reminds me of how I finally figured out how to get my paphiopedilum orchids to re-bloom. I would place the orchids in a pot of a large plant, roots would grow out and down into the soil of the large pot and lo and behold they started to bloom.
Ah. Getting orchids to bloom and re-bloom. Most of us just give up after the supermarket profusion has run its course. Thanks for the tip.
Words are inadequate to express the impact of Robert’s exquisite works of art. I imagine a jeweler’s loup is part of his tool kit!
Thanks Jay, Maybe Robert will respond and fill us in about the jeweler’s loupe.
Marvelous work as always by Steven,but,would’nt a smaller pot and soil mound be
aesthetically more pleasing to the bonsai eye to use with the first super
mini premna microphylla?