thebest suiseki-bonsai

The artistic and poetic combination of Suiseki and Bonsai creates a true work of art. The combination adds life to the suiseki and strength to the bonsai. And to both, a sense of timeless beauty is added.

Combinations of suiseki and bonsai
The best combinations are achieved with suiseki and bonsai that are found together in nature.

suiseki and bonsai should be in harmony

combination should enhance feeling and aesthetics of each other

always follow nature

reflect spirit of full-size counterparts

suggest natural forms with simplicity

The two methods of combining are:

rock planting (ishi-tsuki)

tray landscape (boneki)

The combination of tree and suiseki is especially beneficial for both the lovers of bonsai and for lovers of suiseki alike:

very young bonsai with suiseki can be enjoyed immediately

flaws in suiseki can be hidden by attaching bonsai

moss or soil can be used to stabilize uneven stone

When used with Bonsai, the best suiseki features are:

many natural crevices

irregular contours, fissures

weathered channels

rough surfaces

stones which hold soil well

crevices used to attach guide roots, or hide anchor wires

When used with suiseki, the best Bonsai are:

maple trees-- roots attach easily, mold to stone

mature trees

young seedling trees

dwarf varieties with many long, thin, flexible, even roots

slow growing trees

pine and spruce need little moisture, look attractive

dwarf box, buttonwood, Japanese yew, Chinese juniper, needle juniper, hemlock, cypress, fir

About Bonsai
Quality features of Bonsai:

suggests features of full-sized tree

small leaves, branches, etc.

tapered trunk, beautiful aged bark

thick dense foliage, in clusters

balanced branches in scale tree size

5 traditional Bonsai shapes:

1. formal upright
2. informal upright
3. slanting
4. semi-cascade
5. cascade

Tray landscapes

The success of your tray landscape depends heavily on the container:

think of it as a frame for a painting

preferred are earthenware or ceramic

sometimes used are cement, bronze, wood and copper

Containers for rock planting and tray landscapes are:

usually 2 inches deep or less

depth closely related to width and length

the longer /wider, the greater depth.

oval or rectangular containers best

round, square and hexagon shapes also used

Color considerations for containers:

• container colors and object colors should not compete
• avoid distracting bright-colored containers
• Most collectors prefer :
  • neutral colors (beige and off-white)
  • subdued natural earth tones (dark brown, dark red, dark green, gray)
  • pastels work well with color of most suiseki and bonsai

Rock Plantings
Two styles of rock plantings which are dramatic and effective:

• Root Over Rock Style:
  • roots are trained down over stone
  • roots trained into bed of soi
  • 2 or more water drainage holes, 1 inch diameter
• Clinging To Rock Style:
  • bonsai grown entirely on the stone
  • roots wholly contained within peat pressed onto stone
  • bed of soil not required
  • stone typically placed in shallow suiban with sand, water or both

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