Miniature Bonsai. Terutoshi Iwai
soil suitable for small pots and tools such as tweezers that make delicate tasks easier are used for super-mini bonsai creation and maintenance. There’s no need to have all manner of items on hand, just prepare the basics to start with, and then if you later decide to continue with super-mini bonsai, you can purchase more specialist equipment.
The items here are the must-haves for creating super-mini bonsai: soil, tools and pots. Have sphagnum moss on hand as well, and if you want to stabilize branches or shape the bonsai, wire will be necessary also. Make a list of what you need and assemble those items so that they’ll be at your fingertips.
SOILS
Use a soil mix. For super-mini bonsai, whichever type of soil you choose, use the smallest grain possible such as “extra fine” or “fine-grain.”
Breathability and moisture retention are critical
The balance of breathability, moisture retention and drainage need to be considered when it comes to soil, resulting in a mix such as this one. Keep the mixed soil in a conveniently sized, sealable container. The lid of the container is perfect as a work surface when making the super-mini bonsai, and a plastic dessert spoon kept in the container, makes a convenient scoop.
❶ Hard akadama (extra-fine grain)—60%
Akadama soil is soil in granule form, made from sifting the Kanto region’s loam layer. The hard quality type does not crush easily and has excellent breathability, moisture retention and drainage properties.
❷ Fuji sand—20%
This is volcanic soil from Mt Fuji. It has excellent moisture retention properties.
❸ Yahagi river sand (size 1)—20%
This river sand is from the Chubu region. The grains do not crush easily and it drains well.
TOOLS
The basic tools for bonsai are all available at hardware and DIY stores. Once you get the hang of things, you can start to purchase other tools.
Scissors, tweezers and pliers make up the basic 3-piece tool set
When you’re just starting out, all you need are scissors, tweezers and pliers. Scissors and tweezers in particular can also be used in caring for potted plants.
❶ Pliers: tools to cut the wire that is used to stabilize branches.
❷ Scissors: used for pruning branches.
❸ Tweezers: used to grip foliage or pack soil in firmly.
Helpful extras
❶ Radio pliers: used to bend wire into shape.
❷ Branch cutter: used to cut branches neatly at their base.
❸ Root cutter: scissors used specifically for trimming roots.
Getting serious
❶ Knob cutter: used for trimming knobs from trees.
❷ Cutter knife: used for shaving and smoothing off the trunk after cutting off branches.
❸ Scalpel: used for shaving off layers on a trunk and so on.
❹ Root hook: used for loosening roots.
SPHAGNUM MOSS AND OTHER MOSSES
Mosses are used when planting super-mini bonsai. They are all around, but make sure you never run out of them at a crucial moment by always having some on hand.
Sphagnum moss
Used for covering the soil in a pot, sphagnum moss acts as a lid to prevent soil spilling from the pot or drying out. It can be purchased at DIY, hardware and all-purpose stores.
Moss
Moss is planted over the sphagnum moss that covers the soil. Apart from being attractive, it acts as a guide for watering.
POTS
Small pots are really adorable, and looking for them is part of the fun of bonsai. They come in various shapes, colors and patterns.
Finding the right pot for you
In the art of bonsai, the pot forms part of the completed work. The goal is to have a pot that is in harmony with the tree. Various kinds of pots made from different mediums and in different shapes may be used to complement the tree varieties and forms.
Just as for large bonsai, pots are available for little bonsai and are known as mame (bean) pots due to their small size, but they may not be readily available near you. When making super-mini bonsai, don’t limit yourself to using bonsai pots. Instead, use small containers that freely express your own sense of style.
UNIQUE ARTISAN PIECES
Mame pots made by ceramic artists can be found on their home pages and so on. As they are one-off works, they may be slightly expensive, but even though they are small, they are good quality, attractive pieces.
MACHINE MADE POTS
These simply formed pots are inexpensive and easily accessible. Apart from being stocked at bonsai stores, they are also sold at bonsai fairs and events.
UNUSUAL POTS
When viewing and researching small bonsai, you may come across unusual pots such as those shaped like roof tiles, books and so on. Part of the experience is using a pot you really like.
THESE CAN BE POTS TOO!
Here, I’ve used a beautiful shell instead of a pot. As there is no hole in the base, watering can be tricky, but if the plant is sturdy then it should grow without any trouble.
SPECIAL TIPS
Creating a Pot Using Items on Hand
Pots for super-mini bonsai are not limited to what is sold in stores.
Use items you have on hand to make original pots that are always at the ready.
Pots that make bonsai care easier
Pots with a hole in the base are best as they make watering and drainage easier. However, for sturdy plants such as ivy and succulents which do not need as much attention when it comes to water, it’s possible to use pots that don’t have holes.
Bear in mind that although they are small, supermini bonsai can grow to two or more times the height of a tiny pot. Adjust your pot if necessary to ensure a stable base and avoid tipover.
POT IDEA 1
Make a hole in a little vessel
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