Bonsai: Styling: Saekei

There are many style of bonsai to try. The better known variations of bonsai include informal and formal uprights, cascades and root over rock. One style that is often overlook is that of Saikei. This is also similar but different to the Chinese Penjing,

Saikei are bonsai’s less noticed cousin. This style shares many of the forms, features, processes and equipment as other bonsai styles but does not fit neatly into the same box. It is a landscape made from potting mix, rocks and trees. Some will include props of some kind such as lanterns, bridges and people.

This is because saikei are not a single tree or even a collection of trees. Saikei are like scenes made from natural and living materials. Unlike regular bonsai this shifts the focus away from elements like the branches, leaves and trunk movement and instead encapsulates the whole setting/ image.

This different focus means you have more lee way in creating bonsai as saikei. The rules are more liberally interpreted.

The other side of the coin for bonsai saikei is that you will need more and different material to most regular bonsai. Saikei use more materials to create the initial design like gravel and stones. These may be easily obtained or they may not be. You will likely already have potting mix and a suitable pot/ try for this. Less wire will be needed but more trees.

Once you have these the process of creating the saikei is personal and easily finished by creating a scene that is or will be pleasing to your point of view.