Mini trees: A number of miniature trees are displayed during a recent bonsai exhibition in Gorontalo. (JP/Syamsul Huda M.Suhari)

Gorontalo province in Sulawesi is a haven of plant species that can be developed into bonsai, the popular Japanese and Chinese art of cultivating delicate miniatures of trees.

Members of the Indonesia Bonsai Lovers Association (PPBI) Gorontalo chapter revealed that as many as 19 plants from various species in the area, including wild shrubs growing along the coast and in gardens, have the potential to be developed into bonsai.

Bilal, a member of the association, said residents in Gorontalo should get more information on the bonsai that can potentially be developed from the rich collection of plants in the province. The knowledge, he said, would also encourage people to preserve and care for the plants, so they would not become extinct.

'€œIt would be a pity if we were not aware of our own potential,'€ said Bilal.

The PPBI promoted bonsai to the community during an exhibition that was held at the Radio Republic of Indonesia (RRI) complex in Gorontalo late last month.

As many as 73 bonsai plants were on show during the outdoor exhibition, including Desmodium sp., locally known as tilanggelomaluo, which is found on the limestone hills along the coast of Gorontalo, as well as Ulmus parvifolia or Chinese elm, banyan and wahong, which usually grow on farms.

The bonsai plants on display varied in age from 2 to 10 years old. The most popular bonsai cultivated by residents in Gorontalo is the santigi or Pempis acidula, which is locally called olihedu.

Another bonsai grower, Kusbianindradi, said that bonsai plants were relatively easy to find in Gorontalo as well as in other regions.

'€œGorontalo is home to many santigi plant species, which grow on coral. Its skin is more attractive in texture and resembles the skin of a crocodile,'€ Kusbianindradi said.

He said unlike other regions, especially along the coast of Java, Gorontalo has no strict rules banning plants being directly taken from nature.

Kusbianindradi said the PPBI took the initiative to cultivate santigi in various other ways, such as sowing, grafting and cutting.

'€œPPBI members are trying very hard not to take them directly from nature, as they could gradually become extinct,'€ he said.

A senior bonsai aficionado in Gorontalo, Johar Nurdin, said there is a market segment for bonsai plants despite the euphoria about certain plants such as anthurium.

According to Johar, the art of bonsai making dates back to the Chin dynasty in China. It started with a palace official and renowned poet, Ton Guen Ming, who cultivated chrysanthemums in a pot, which was later called Pun-Sai.

Besides Pun-Sai, the Chinese community at the time was also familiar with penjing, the art of landscape gardening, through developing natural miniature plants.

'€œEach bonsai plant has its own character due to the long process and patience of cultivating the plant for up to four years,'€ said Johar, an entrepreneur who has been involved with bonsai since 1998.

The Gorontalo PPBI, established in 2008, currently has around 60 members from various backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, civil servants, petty traders and military/police members.

In the future, the PPBI expects the provincial administration to support activities carried out by the group, such as through exhibitions and by including Gorontalo bonsai in contests at the national level.

Dian, a local resident, said she was fascinated with the various species of bonsai plants at the exhibition.

'€œWho would have guessed that Gorontalo has a lot of plants that can be developed into bonsai. These plants are expensive. But I think the prices are appropriate considering the high level of creativity and patience required to grow them,'€ she said.

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