Saikei are landscape plantings consisting of trees and stones arranged in a container. Kathy Motzko's demonstration at Midori Bonsai Club in San Jose gave a hands-on example of how an attractive planting can be created in a short time from relatively young stock.

For this demo, Kathy works with a dwarf cultivar of Hinoki Cypess (Chamaecyparis Obtusa 'NANA') This is an evergreen plant that Kathy recommends keeping in the shade, particularly during the summer.

Saikei is an excellent use for immature, potentsai material that can be grown on in the container, yet enjoyed immediately. Later the trees can be re-arranged or planted out individually.

Stones are selected for interest. The texture and shape of these Lacerock stones and their natural color make them excellent candidates.

Shallow containers, like this oval, ceramic container are best for saikei. These containers are also available in mica or even plastic, so you can get started at relatively low cost.

Stone placement, number and direction are all intertwined. Consider the shape and "direction" of the stone, as determined by its outline.

Kathy places this first stone on an angle. This creates better perspective.

Like trees, odd numbers are easiest to arrange without having the finished appearance look contrived.

A variety of stone sizes and shapes should be used.

For the close-up forest Kathy is creating, the larger stone is grouped towards the front of the pot, but off center. The second stone appears on the opposite of the centerline, but towards the rear of center.

Stones can be arranged horizontally or on-end, but to keep the arrangement in harmony, it is best to keep the alignment consistent throughout the saikei.

The plants are removed from the growing liners (2", 4", 6" ) and the root ball is combed out.

The roots need to be trimmed to allow the plant to be placed in the shallow container.

A layer of well drained soil is placed in mounds in the container and the plants are arranged between the stones. The largest tree is placed first.

Avoid placing plants or stones in straight lines. Triangular arrangements are best.

Press the roots in place firmly and add more soil.

Adding the second tree