MINIATURE BONSA I The Complete Guide to Super-Mini Bonsai Terutoshi Iwai TUTTLE A Note from the Author Bonsai that straddle the small-to-miniature category reach about 8 inches (20cm) in height and can take up to 20 years to fully mature. The term “miniature bonsai” generally refers to bonsai small enough to be lifted or moved with one hand. The term “super-mini bonsai” refers to the smallest plants in the miniature bonsai category; of these, the smallest plants can fit on a fingertip and grow in a pot no larger than a thimble. While cultivating bonsai is a slow process, super-mini bonsai can be enjoyed as soon they’re potted—and these plants are simple and satisfying to grow and to pot. They take up virtu- ally no space at all, so they can add a little touch of green in unexpected places. What’s more, if properly cared for they can last for years, continuing to give pleasure as they change and grow. While “bonsai” carries with it the impression of being a hobby for someone with plenty of free time, mini bonsai gardening is a actually a great hobby for busy people, novices at gardening, and anyone who enjoys working with small plants. Though the plants are tiny, growing them is a complete gardening experience. Why not give super-mini bonsai a try? MINIATURE BONSA I The Complete Guide to Super-Mini Bonsai Terutoshi Iwai CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 he Basics of Super-mini Bonsai Making Super-mini Bonsai and How to Prepare hem How to Make Super-mini Bonsai ...................26 What are Super-mini Bonsai? ..........................08 Creating a Super-mini Bonsai with a Twisted What’s So Appealing about Super-mini Trunk .........................................................30 Bonsai? .......................................................10 Wound-round Super-mini Bonsai ...................34 Making Super-mini Bonsai .............................12 Creating a “Seed-showing” Super-mini Bonsai ..38 Materials and Tools........................................14 SPECIAL TIPS SPECIAL TIPS Fun with Composition ...................................42 Creating a Pot Using Items on Hand ..............17 Preparing the Seedling ....................................18 Chapter 3 Growing seedlings from cuttings .................20 Super-mini Bonsai Growing plants from seeds (germination) ...22 Maintenance Germinating seeds in sphagnum moss .........24 Fundamentals for Regular Care ......................44 Watering .....................................................45 Fertilizing ...................................................46 Killing pests and disinfecting ......................47 Branch maintenance ...................................48 Repotting ....................................................50 SPECIAL TIPS When You’re Away for a Few Days ..........................52 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Displaying and Enjoying All Kinds of Super-mini Bonsai Super-mini Bonsai Types of Bonsai ..............................................68 Fundamentals for Display ..............................54 Tree type 1 Pinales .....................................68 Making Good Use of Small Objects ............55 Tree type 2 Small Trees ..............................69 Create a Super-mini Bonsai “Stage” ............56 Tree type 3 Flowering Trees .......................70 Create and Enjoy a Little World .................58 Tree type 4 Fruiting Trees ..........................71 Display with Your Favorite Knick Knacks ...60 Enjoy the Differences in Tree Form ..................72 Easy Ways to Work Super-mini Bonsai Into Tree form 1 Straight trunk .........................72 Your Daily Life .......................................62 Tree form 2 Angled trunk ..........................73 A Place of Calm in a Room ........................65 Tree form 3 Twin-trunk .............................74 Tree form 4 Three-trunk ............................74 SPECIAL TIPS Give Displays an Authentic Touch..................66 Tree form 5 Clump ....................................75 Tree form 6 Informal upright .....................75 Tree form 7 Windswept .............................76 Tree form 8 Cascade ..................................77 Tree form 9 Forest .....................................77 Super-mini Bonsai Glossary ............................78 Tiny Little Bonsai That Fit on a Fingertip Super-mini bonsai are only about an inch or so (3cm) tall but have huge appeal. Even though they’re tiny, they put out roots and grow just as a regular plant does. Dragon’s blood cactus (succulent family) Experience the Real Pleasure that a Genuine Bonsai Brings One of the enjoyable things about bonsai is being able to shape it to your tastes while you care for the branches and foliage. Super-mini bonsai allow you to fully experience the pleasures associated with bonsai. Cotoneaster 4 Sprout an Acorn and Enjoy Watching it Grow When making super-mini bonsai, use shoots grown from acorns and other seeds or cuttings with root growth as nursery stock. Seeing the daily changes such as the growth of buds or roots is sure to become a daily source of pleasure. A silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) and acorn planted together. Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis) at one year (left) and at three years (right). Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) Enjoy the Four Seasons, Super-mini Style Buds forming, flowers blooming, leaves changing color and then falling… the Flowering crab apple (Malus halliana) seasons change like this even in the world inside a little plant pot. Super-mini bonsai are nature in miniature, letting you experi- ence the four seasons at close range. 5 Have Fun Decorating Your Home with Super- mini Bonsai Place them on little plates or coasters, line them up next to miniature figures—there are no rules when it comes to super-mini bonsai. They lend themselves to whatever decorating ideas come to mind. Thinking of ways to display them is part of the fun. Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus) Flowering crab apple (Malus halliana) Designing Super-mini Bonsai to Your Own Taste Once you get the hang of things, you’ll be able to shape super-mini bonsai or display them however you like. Super-mini bonsai are little works of art, so enjoy choosing the materials to use and the pleasure of creating expression through form. Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora)