'Different' bonsai

We hear mostly of Ficus bonsai here in the South. But who has heard of Lantana or Calliandra being used as bonsai material ?  These are not rare or unusual plants, surprisingly. Lantana is seen everywhere, growing wild in fields and also neatly kept in garden pots. The little orange, pink or white flowers blooming in profusion make a pretty picture, if you can tolerate the prickly leaves and stems. Calliandra or the 'powderpuff tree' also grows in our gardens,  and is a shrub or small tree with feathery pink flowers .( For details on these species, please visit http://www.flowersofindia.in/ , a most informative site and a fantastic venture by Ms Girija and her team. )


This is a beautiful Lantana bonsai pictured on a commercial bonsai site































Here is a picture of a Calliandra bonsai , from Amazon.com

Proud member of Kerala Bonsai Association

My Bonsai journey begins with a chance viewing of a Youtube video posted by Kairali channel . This led to a weekend trip to Nagercoil to see Mr Ravindran's Nikki Bonsai Garden, as pictured in the video. Words are not enough to describe the sheer magnitude  and beauty of this garden. I soon began on my own with a few plants purchased from his garden and some cuttings acquired on my own. The enthusiastic purchase of a bonsai book from Flipkart completed my initial inventory .

On Sunday I joined the Kerala Bonsai Association, an impressive organisation driven by the vision and enthusiasm of its president Shri Ravindran, bonsai supremo of South India, secretary Ms Jaya Nair, herself a seasoned bonsai exponent of 17 years, and numerous illustrious members. A workshop had been organised at the Kerala Raj Bhavan, as part of a plan to establish a bonsai garden in the already extensive and beautifully maintained Raj Bhavan grounds.  The sumptuous tea provided by expert catering staff kept us going through the three hours of  enthralling bonsai education.

The Association president himself  restyled and wired my casuarina bonsai in training. I left with a deep sense of gratitude and inner peace.