Sir Robert

Robert Stevens' Nursery in Jakarta

I had heard about Robert Stevens from quite a few of bonsai people here in Taiwan and also in Australia.  In July 2012 I went back to Australia via Bali.  I decided to track down Robert's nursery with the hope of meeting the man.  Unfortunately, Robert was taking care of business in another part of Jakarta, but I was still fortunate enough to take in his nursery, friendly staff, and amazing trees. 

I have had these pictures on my computer for 4 years and am only now digging them out for the All in One Bonsai people out there.  Please enjoy.

It was a hot day in Jakarta when I finally found his nursery.  It was in an unassuming place surrounded by locals going about their normal day.  There were no frills associated with this nursery.  Just brilliant looking trees perched on monkey stands.

The Jakarta weather is almost always humid.  Everything was green and seemed to be growing before my eyes.

Robert had a team of bonsai men watering his trees.  No doubt they needed lots of attention.  The soil was mostly volcanic rock which dries out quite quickly.

Some of the compositions were fantastic.  Robert is well-known for his dramatic designs.  He has a solid philosophy behind this styling after studying penjing in China.  Check out that moss!

You can see quite a few of Robert's trees incorporate rocks - a classic landscape style.

My guess would be that Robert has gone tree hunting and collected many of his trees from some place in Indonesia.  He has then used his skill to refine and develop outstanding trees in pots.

Visiting Robert's nursery was a contrast in visual intake.  Surrounding his nursery the environment was Jakarta style - which is mostly quite run down and a touch dirty.  There are a lot of people in Indonesia that are doing it tough and have very little.  After being in amongst the outside environment and then walking in to the nursery, a strange contrast appeared.  The trees seemed to be out of a magical land, so healthy and professionally cared for.  There were no weeds and most trees looked like they should be in a glossy magazine.

An interesting slab pot that fits well with these two trees. 

One of my favorites.  Simple but everything looks like it belongs.

Dramatic

What a brilliant trunk!

I apologise.  I didn't do a great job of finding out what species of trees these were. 

An old cascade.

Masterpieces everywhere.

Guarding the pass.

A branch left to grow - creating thickness.  Once served its purpose it will be cut back.

Another view.

Protecting itself. 

It always amazes me with such little soil a tree like this can prosper.

Twists and turns.

Quite a lot of deadwood on this guy.

An illusion of a tall mountain.

In the same area there were other bonsai nurseries.  This was a tree in the nursery next to Robert's.  Training the roots to thicken, creating a stronger looking nebari.

Another example of this method.  They know what they are doing!

Yet another nursery.  The Jakartens have quite the bonsai community going on.

Back to Robert's.

If I had to estimate I would say he had over 400 trees...possibly a lot more.

A 'fallen' trunk used to great effect in the overall design.

Just to prove I was there.

This is the back of Robert's nursery.  It is a place where things have their resting area before being used.

A canal at the rear of the nursery.

I'm glad I took the time to track down the nursery of Robert Stevens.  It isn't too far away from the airport and well worth the visit.  Everyone was very friendly and taking photos was no problem.  Check it out if you get the chance!

Take care out there.