Of the 239 visitors who answered this survey in October and November '99, the plant voted as the most preferred for mame (mini bonsai) was the FUKIEN TEA (Carmona microphylla or Ehretia buxifolia) along with BUXUS - namely the Kingsville Box. These plants were chosen mainly due to their attractive, small, dark-green foliage, rapid growth and intricate branch structure, all of which contribute to their suitability for mame. The Fukien Tea in particular, responds well to pruning and is easily pruned into the shape of a bonsai without wiring.

Other commonly mentioned and well-rated plants were the OLEA and COTONEASTER.

Opinions :

Gary Volkering from San Antonio, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

ZELKOVA. The leaves on the Zelkova are so beautiful and intricate that they can really be appreciated in mini bonsai. They are also easy plants to grow and are not too fussy.

Andrew James from the US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

JAPANESE MAPLE. These respond well to mame treatment, can be propagated easily and look fantastic all year round. Bare in the winter and with spectacular colours during the fall.

Horacio Dodds from zone 8, Madrid, Spain, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

COTONEASTER MICROPHILIA. Very small leaves, not caducious, medium-slow growth rate that allows natural proportions with this style. Even fruits that gives a color patch to the arrange. Also good for Shohin.

Can Baysan from zone 7, McLean, US, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

SERISSA. A beautiful plant, with incredible white flowers. Also it has almost emerald green leaves. Only problem is that its roots stink.

Jörg Böcking from South West Windhoek, Namibia, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

OLEA 'AFRICANA'. Simply a beautiful tree! It is frost hardy and evergreen. Easy for most styles.

Danny from zone 4, Noosa Heads, Australia, says :

Beginner at bonsai.

KINGSVILLE BOX. This is a slow growing, small plant with very small leaves.

Moyogi from zone 7, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

KINGSVILLE BOX. I have been working with boxwoods since the beginning of my bonsai interests and have found no other plant as ready, able, and naturally beautiful for mame as a Kingsville Boxwood. If you can find one with a good trunk and branch span, you can quickly train it to the desired shape. I have had one in the hokidachi style for about a year and marvel at its beauty every time I pass my collection. They are fairly easy to take care of, an outdoor plant except in the heart of winter for me, and only suffer the odd spider-mite infestation. If you are looking for a quality mame bonsai, check out the boxwoods first.

Daan Giphart from zone 8, Denhaag, Netherlands, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 25 years.

LARIX, AZALEA, ACER, LIGUSTRUM, CARPINUS, ULMUS, ZELKOVA. Most plants are suitable for shohin and mame bonsai but the species I mentioned above are really suitable for me. I will answer all mail with questions about shohin and mame bonsai @ a.h.giphart@fd.tudelft.nl.
     I am looking for people who are making shohin/mame pots themselves.Anyone who has info about that please mail me.

Kevin from zone 8, Edinburgh, UK, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

FUKIEN TEA. The Fukien Tea makes excellent an miniature bonsai as it has small compact leaves & produces excellent small flowers and fruit. But having said this, there are many trees I would consider to make good small bonsai.

Tim Barnden from zone 9, Plymouth, UK, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

FUKIEN TEA. It is possible to develop a very dense, fine twig structure and complement it with very much minaturised leaves (from regular pinching-out of the larger ones).

Dutch Van Pelt from zone 7, Baltimore, Maryland, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

BUXUS 'MORRIS MIDGET'. The Morris Midget Boxwood has the ability to stay alive on the dry side, may be brought indoors for longer periods of time, has a slow growth rate and is already miniture in stature and leaf size.

Duncan Wiles from Republic of South Africa, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 15 years.

FICUS BURT DAVII. The leaves reduce incredibily well and the plant is hardy. It grows inside or outside equally well. If you forget to water for a day it will not suffer any side effects. It must at all times be protected in winter. They grow very easily.

Andy Rutledge from zone 8, Lewisville, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

BLACK PINE. Black Pine is the best plant for bonsai of any size.

D. Halls from zone 2-3, US, says :

Website:   Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

FICUS NERIFOLIA. Small leaves and forgiving of errors in watering and fertilization. Can develop good trunk taper in just 2-3 inches.

Rob Gaudioso from zone 9, Phoenix, US, says :

Practicing bonsai for over 5 years.

HOKKAIDO ELM. It has some of the smallest leaves I've seen (1/8 inch) and it developes a very corky bark at a young age and small stature. It also does not need a lot of water so it does well in a small pot.

Don Meeker from zone 5, Walnut Creek, US, says :

OLIVE (Olea europaea). Fast development of aged look. Leaves reduce to very tiny size, easy to train & care for. Relatively disease free. There really isn't a 'best', just favorites. I also like flowering trees, roses, esp. R. bansiae, or R. cherokee.

Sun Ray Verstraete from zone 6, State Collega, US, says :

Website:  Practicing bonsai for over 2 years.

CATLIN ELM. The structure can be twiggy and since the leaves are generally no more than a quarter inch it matches the pot size.

 

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