Bonsai are classified into different
groups with size. The size of bonsai is generally measured as the distance
between the top of the soil and the apex of the bonsai tree. Below is the
classification of bonsai in different sizes.
Keishi Bonsai (thumb size) – Up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in height
Shito Bonsai (very small) – Up to 3 inch (7.5 cm) in height
Mame Bonsai (mini) – Up to 6 inch (15 cm) in height
Shohin Bonsai (small) – Up to 8 inch (20 cm) in height
Kifu Sho Bonsai (medium) – Up to 16 inch (40.5 cm) in height
Chu Bonsai (medium large) – Up to 24 (61 cm) inch in height
Dai Bonsai (large) – Up to 40 (101.5 cm) inch in height
Shito Bonsai (very small) – Up to 3 inch (7.5 cm) in height
Mame Bonsai (mini) – Up to 6 inch (15 cm) in height
Shohin Bonsai (small) – Up to 8 inch (20 cm) in height
Kifu Sho Bonsai (medium) – Up to 16 inch (40.5 cm) in height
Chu Bonsai (medium large) – Up to 24 (61 cm) inch in height
Dai Bonsai (large) – Up to 40 (101.5 cm) inch in height
These are some standard rules that
become important and helpful in shows and competitions. Yet, often, these measures
are not sharply outlined, and the exact height of the bonsai tree does not hold
very strictly. For example, the majority of shohin bonsai at most bonsai shows
are approximately 8 inches (20 cm) or less in height. Yet, an elegant, slim
bonsai tree may easily override the limit in height but still be considered as
a shohin. And this is same for mame bonsai.
Basically, the main “rule” is that we
must be able to hold our shohin bonsai and mame bonsai in one hand, on our
palm. They must express the beauty of a large aged tree in miniature.How to Train and Prune Bonsai Tree
Small bonsai such as shohin bonsai and mame bonsai are small enough to be held comfortably in the
palm of the hand. Mame bonsai should not exceed 8-15cm in height, while shohin
bonsai should not exceed 15-20cm. While the size is much smaller, the care and
shaping of these small bonsai trees are the same as for their larger
counterparts.
Pruning a bonsai tree as shohin
bonsai and mame bonsai can be a challenging task. We can use finger pruning
techniques to train our bonsai. Since shears and cutters of normal size would
be too big for a mame or shohin bonsai, it will require special tools for
training our small bonsai trees.
Because our mame bonsai and shohin
bonsai are too small to allow much training through wiring, pruning is probably
the most important technique to master in the shaping of our mini bonsai trees.
To start, we can prune back our small bonsai trees to one or two buds, and
repeat this step till the bonsai trees begin to look more interesting. We can
also cut off some dominant branches, or nip them off with our fingers to
encourage the growth of some new tiny branches.
And similar to our bigger bonsai
trees, to create some descending branches for our mame bonsai and shohin
bonsai, we can bind the branches with bonsai wire or pull the branches down as
far as possible with some wire and tie it to the container.
Lastly, because mame bonsai and
shohin bonsai are so small, they are very light in weight and can be toppled
off easily. Hence, it would be wise to secure the bonsai on the table, on the
rack, or wherever it is put by fixing the small bonsai tree and its container
with twine or wire.