How to make a Shohin Bonsai of Buxus

Shohin Bonsai are the small Bonsais of small in size means , Height of these Bonsais are below 8 inches. Usually Miniature Bonsais are classified in to three sections depending on their heights.

Shohin Bonsai is of below 8 inches

Mame Bonsai is of below  6 inches

Shito Bonsai is of below  3 inches

Keishi Bonsai is of below  1 inch

Developing styling a miniature Bonsai is a difficult job of creating a style. Plant will having less no of branches and the size of the plant is also small. selection of a will be a ramification is very selective job.

Here in this post Buxus microphylla is selected and made into shohin bin of below 8 inches. Now we will go  in to detail transformation of nursery plant in to shohin  Bonsai is explained . Then after studying this we will go to other small Bonsais. 

Buxus plant was bought from a nursery long back may be 8 to 9 years back. I will share photo of the plant that time.

In nature we will see many different styles of Plants . One of it is Multitrunked plants. Multi trunk Trees are having the habit of developing more sprouts from the base of the tree, but only some will survive and become multi trunk style.

                 

First photo is the plant bought from nursery. it was kept like that for two years. then started working on the plant. By studying the plant I thought of this plant has a good potential to be a multi trunk or Raft style and to become a shohin Bonsai. then work was started on keeping the future style of the Bonsai by removing  the branches which were not fitting in to Bonsai design. I stared working in spring . 

Second photo i exposed the main trunk line by eliminating branches and keeping some selected one and did ramification by clip and grow method . then I kept the plant at a sunny place and did regular fertilizing. My Buxus Shohin Bonsai became strong and ready for next ramification.

Then slowly Plant is started getting new leaves.

Below is videolink to see how plant is transformed to shohin Bonsai

Multitrunk style shohin bonsai video

The above link will clearly will show you how the Boxwood plant made in to a  Shohin Bonsai..i will share recent photo of the plant

Kokedama / Koke Bonsai Making Easy

Kokedama is a Bonsai holding a plant with moss ball, It is a variation of Bonsai in Japan. Its becoming very popular because of its beauty and low maintenance. Now Bonsai lovers are in love with Kokedama of Japan. its a old traditional art goes along with Ikebana, and Bonsai.

Kokedama is becoming hot gardening topic here I will show how to make kokedama moss ball..

Kokedama originated 30 years back a japanese word ne- rai, means root wash , which means no pot,  This art is also calles as koke - Bonsai. It is changes it style by wrapping with moss and became kokedama means moss Ball. Actually its a one of its kinds of Bonsai.

We can say kokedama as a Eco friendly way of growing plants, because here we are not using any pots.

Kokedama  can be made with out door, indoor, succulents, fruiting and flowering plants.its a beautiful  art for long lasting relationship with the plant and man. In kokedama one  can use  mixed display of plants  or single one according to your taste. The beauty of this Art is  diversified plants ranging from tropical to temperate , succulents to orchids can be selected according to your taste, weather and place.

Materials needed

Plants needed ,

Fern, Pine, Philodendron, Syngonium , Sansevieria , Maple, anthurium, dracaena, Fishbone Cactus, Asparagus, Fish Tail Fern, schefflera plant ,orchids, Anthurium, Caladium, African violet, succulents, Bromelaids, jade, Bamboo.etc...

Bonsai soil + Peat Moss

Keep Bonsai soil and  peat moss ready.

Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum Moss is needed. keep Moss in water for ten minutes.

scissors 

Jute or Hemp , twine 

For tying the Moss ball. 

!) Keep Bonsai soil  with 15 % of peat moss and keep it ready ,Depending on the plant species we can change adding percentage of the peat moss.
2) Take out  plant from the pot and make Bonsai soil and peat moss little wet and press the soil around the root ball tightly , form a ball like structure around the root by pressing the soil tightly with both palms..

3) Now take wet moss and squeeze out water, put the moss around the soil ball and cover the soil completely with Moss and press out water a little, it will be  comfortable to tie the thread around the moss ball.



4) Take hemp and start tying around the moss ball a little tightly in a manner of 11 to 5 numbers in a clock., There are different styles of wrapping some times with two colored thread or single thread, what is comfortable for you, you can do it in that manner. If you are tying in a angular way in one direction that gives beautiful look to the moss ball. 

5) This kokedama can be made it as a hanging plant or you can keep it on a small stand also.

  

6) Watering depends on species of the plant that made it in to a Kokedama, and also on the season and also the zone where the plant is growing. If your plant is a succulent dip the moss ball in water for 15 to  20 minutes once in a week. It is advised to keep the plant away from scorching sun light.
8) Re potting once in two to three years depending on the root growth. Fertilizers to be used in the liquid form,

Learn More on Visiting Below link You tube Video

Kokedama Making Easy