Mastering Shohin Bonsai: Hennie Nel’s Ultimate Guide to Care, Pruning & Display

In this video, bonsai artist Hennie Nel takes the stage at the Autumn Bonsai Festival, hosted by Kat River Bonsai Kai, to share his deep knowledge and passion for working with trees under 30cm.

Hennie walks the audience through his journey of intentionally scaling down the size of his collection, and the dedication it takes to maintain these miniature trees at a high standard over many years. He covers everything from fertilising small trees, managing leaf size, and brushing out the inner canopy with a special tool, to the importance of continual directional pruning to improve ramification.

Every technique Hennie shares reflects his thoughtful approach to mastering the craft—from field growing right through to final show preparation.

If you’re ready to take a deep dive into the refined world of small bonsai, this presentation is packed with practical insights and inspiration for every level of enthusiast.