How to Create a Premna Sp Microbonsai Exposed Root Style

An Exposed-root style bonsai may be an amazing tree replication form in wild nature, we love the wild irregularness of the roots and the wild formation that they make as your trees mature and age.

We believe that exposed root has been well explored in Japanese and Chinese bonsai a long time ago. To the extent that you can see at least the junction of the main roots and the trunk when it is containered, all bonsai should be exposed root. While creating exposed root bonsai style from seed or a piece of young branches or stalks can take a few years even long years, the process is fun and well worth the time. If you are inclined to some experimentation and have some good growing skills, here's how you can do it! We even have a simple diagram to explain the steps

Step 1 Prepare a pot container with a piece of 3 inch pipe with planting media, 1:1:1 sand, fertile soil, manure/burnt rice husks. Cuttings of 2 or 3 Premna stem segments, stick them in the container.  Step 2 (Step 1 - step 2 about 3-5 months) Wait until it grows well, it takes approximately 3-5 months. In order to grow optimally, place Premna in an open area that gets enough morning sunlight. Premna will grow optimally if it gets morning sunlight, especially at 8-10 am. Watering is sufficient once a day.. Step 3 At the age of 6-7 months or if the roots have grown well, break the pipe, do root selection, if needed, you can do wiring to form extreme root characters according to your intuition or ideas. After that we  will return to the Step 2.  Spray the plant with vitamin B1, Prune the leaves to reduce evaporation and place it in a shady place for a while (3-5 days).and the plant need enough water. Then move it again to a place that gets enough sunlight after the plant begin to grow normaly, especially in the morning. Wait for the plants to grow well and be old enough to do the Step 2 again. This will take at least 3-5 months, depending on the fertility of the planting medium. Step 4  If the plant is 9 months - a year old, do step 3 again. Break the pipe. If the selected roots are well formed, remove the wire.  Trim unnecessary branches. Now you don't need the pipe anymore. If the roots are too long, they can be cut as needed according to the size of the pot.  Step 5 You can reposition the plant according your mind, or your ideas. You can cut the roots that are too long or adjust them to the pot. I recommend using a cascading pot like the picture of my micro bonsai above. You are right, that my10 months microbonsai above is still in the step 5 position. Step 6.  Your bonsai will grow well with intensive care. Using the right planting media according to the original habitat of the premna, with regular fertilization and the use of good fertilizer, will produce an amazing bonsai shape. Aesthetics of Exposed Root Bonsai The core concept in exposed root bonsai compositions is that the roots aesthetically replace the trunk, or augment the lower portion of it. With this in mind, the shape and flow of the roots is key to creating a good composition What Species are good for Exposed Root Bonsai (micro - supermini size)? Ficus microcarpa.  Ficus salicifolia (Many ficus species fuse well and create good woody roots) Malpighia glabra Premna serratifolia