Premna - the ideal material for Bonsai

Premna plant sp. is a sub-tropical plant found in many Asian and South East Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Taiwan. In South East Asian Countries it is a prized species suitable for Bonsai. It is called as Qou Niang Tze in Chinese, meaning “Stinky Lady” or “Stinky Bitch,” due to its bad smell from the leaves, when touched or worked. As a result of this bad smell, it has only a few pest problems, but rats and mice eat the leaves very well. As it is beautiful, charming and feminine to look at, it is called as a lady.

There are numerous varieties of Premna which have different habitat, ranging from mountainous regions to coastal areas. The coastal species known as Premna obtusifolia is most suitable for Bonsai due to its unique texture of Jin and Shari in the trunk due to the natural forces or pressures. The bright green leaves are shiny and the twisted trunk is often dynamic and elegant especially when tamed as a miniature bonsai.

Premna is very fast growing, many time it is too fast. It produces suckers or new shoots from the root surface. These characters make Premna, an ideal choice for mini bonsai. Leaf size reduction is also possible when the plant or tree is continuously defoliated. With proper pruning and taming the leaf size can be even reduced to 2mm and made very compact. The mountainous variety has larger leaves, larger branches, trunk and stronger odor.

Premna as Bonsai

The branches of Premna do grow in irregular an untidy manner, so wiring is a must for initial styling. Due to the fast growing nature and abundant back-budding, the clipping technique works out very well for creating a beautiful canopy. Premna is an ideal plant species for all bonsai styles, be it literati, raft or windswept. It appeals enthusiasts who expect the natural Jin and Shari structures.