There are many species traditionally used for bonsai that do not make very convincing shohin bonsai. The leaves may be too large, internodes too spacious, etc. It doesn’t stop us from trying them though! I still remember seeing a shohin magnolia in japan with one large and breathtaking flower stopping me in my tracks. That image has stayed with me for many years. Most of its characteristics are not conducive to shohin bonsai but that little window of flowering time make it worth while. Foolish attempt that it may be, one species that I am trying to make into a shohin bonsai is the Ponderosa Pine. I have two shohin sized collected trees that came from Andy Smith of South Dakota – one I purchased and one was a gift from him in exchange for my hospitality when he needed a place to stay some years ago when passing through New England. I also have a very nice collected chuhin (medium sized) Ponderosa Pine bonsai that I am working on. Pictured is one of the shohin trees I have been working on. The before picture is from about 3 or 4 years ago when I first received it. The lower trunk was quite good for shohin size and the surface roots are also quite good for this species, but ….. as with many of these trees, the internodal spacing is long and the needles are quite long. After spending a few years getting it healthy, I wired it up 2 years ago and this past year put it into a rustic shell pot from David Lowman (DaSu Bonsai)Dai Su Bonsai. It is a beginning. I am still not happy with the particular pot it is in – for one thing it needs to be smaller. Also, even though the needles are at least 1/2 the length of the originals, they still need to be shorter. Some friends have encouraged me to graft black pine foliage onto it but that would take all the fun and challenge out of doing this! Another time I will show the other shohin Ponderosa I have (and other non traditional species).
January 1, 2008
Unusual species for shohin bonsai
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Interesting work on a Ponderosa. I am anxious to see the development.
thanks,
Jim
Comment by Jim Whalen — January 1, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
John,
Nice work with the Ponderosa, it has come a long way.
You have brought up a very interesting and seldom discussed topic.The practice of using species with large fruit and flowers for Sohin Bonsai. Personally I find it charming and it always brings a smile. I have never given much thought to why it is so easy for us to accept this practice. One thought is that Shohin Bonsai have had more than a fair number of older Artists drawn by reducing the size of Bonsai they work.They may be more open to sentimental expression.The use of colorful glazed pots which would never be considered for a similar large Bonsai may be another example of the freedom allowed for Wee Trees.It reminds me of how Grandparents indulge Grandchildren and will laugh and wink at behavior they would never have treated so cheerfully in their own children. It may also be an acceptance of our limitations in working with nature.
I think many have a soft spot for Shohin Bonsai.
Our friend WNV, known for his very large Bonsai,has a deep affection for small Bonsai. It has been almost shocking at times to see this come out. I once brought a Mame Japanse Quince to a club meeting for display on an evening a number of members had brought in some very impresive Bonsai which had been in training for many years. Bill spoke a little about each one and I thought my little Bonsai would escape notice. Saved for last,
Bill carefully picked up and held my little Tree like he was holding a deeply loved child. I have never heard Bill speak so highly of any Bonsai, it was actually embrassing.This clearly was not the best Bonsai he has seen(by a long way), but this humble Bonsai touched his heart. On other occasions I have seen other Shohin impact him so strongly it stops him in his tracks.
As a Shohin lover, I trust you will indulge my ramblings…
Mark
Comment by Mark Arpag — January 13, 2008 @ 10:28 am
Mark,
Thanks for your comments and ramblings. Blogs are about ramblings so I enjoyed yours! As someone said on one of the chatter channels, good bonsai is good bonsai and that is all that matters. Bill V. knows it when he sees it – shohin or otherwise. Shohin are especially wonderful to me because of their scale. I’m sure it is why small model boats, doll houses, etc fascinate many of us. We try to encapsulate a reality in miniature to tease our senses.
best,
John
Comment by John Romano — January 30, 2008 @ 8:08 pm