Review : LEGO Botanical Collection 10281 Bonsai Tree

Today we are interested in the LEGO set 10281 Bonsai Tree, one of the two references of the new "Botanical Collection"stamped 18+ which for the moment includes this box and the set 10280 Flower Bouquet.

Don't bother drawing you a picture, I think everyone knows what a bonsai is. LEGO therefore goes with its interpretation of the thing with a construction of 878 pieces which will be sold for 49.99 € from January 1, 2021.

One could debate for a long time the interest of reproducing a plant element using plastic parts and invoke the snub to a certain conception of environmental protection, but that is not the subject of this article and everyone will have their opinion on the matter. Note that LEGO specifies in the pages of the instruction booklet that the sheets delivered in this box are elements in biopolyethylene made from sugar cane.

I would point it out for those who would not have followed everything from this change of raw material for certain elements manufactured by LEGO: This biopolyethylene is (fortunately) not biodegradable but it is recyclable via the same processes as conventional polyethylene. It should also be remembered that the use of sugar cane does not change either the manufacturing process or the mechanical and aesthetic properties of the plastic obtained at the outlet.

It is therefore proposed to us to assemble a bonsai, here a Japanese cherry tree, judging by the alternative foliage during flowering. If you are looking for where are the 878 elements of the set, know that 200 of them are to be poured loose in the pot, that there are 33 green leaves and that we also have 100 pink frogs and 40 flowers for branches in the process of flowering.

The assembly of this bonsai does not present a real challenge at the level of the base, the pot and the branches. There is hardly that the trunk which proposes some original techniques to obtain the desired "wood" effect. From a distance, this trunk with its shades of brown and its roots that plunge into the pot will be an illusion.

The 200 pieces that make up the substrate, a mixture of fine gravel and potting soil in real life, are to be poured loose into the pot. A bit lazy but the visual effect is convincing. Be careful when moving the model, avoid overturning the pot otherwise you will have to run after the pieces scattered around the living room.

The set allows you to vary the pleasures by replacing the branches with their green leaves by appendages in full bloom. It is not necessary to replace the sheets one by one, it is sufficient here to remove four sub-assemblies, three of which are identical, and to install the alternative modules so that the tree changes its appearance. This express modularity of the product is appreciable, it makes the change of season less tedious.

The cherry blossom tree is covered with pink frogs, which in principle represent the buds. I must admit that I have a little trouble with these hundred frogs scattered on the foliage: a few specimens around more classic flowers could have been a snap, here it is the visual overdose even if from a distance this dressing based on amphibians is an illusion.

In short, for around fifty euros, this product should please those looking to put LEGO as decoration on their shelves without having to expose ships or castles and this is a purely product. lifestyle which seeks to seduce an adult clientele not necessarily nostalgic for pirates or knights.

In my opinion, the real question should be asked: should you invest in a real bonsai or be content with this 18 cm high plastic imitation (support included) which vaguely pays homage to the traditional art of dwarfing of plants, an activity that requires real know-how and a lot more patience than putting together the 878 pieces in this box.

There is also a chance that you will one day find this product at Nature et Découvertes or on the shelves of another brand of this type, LEGO having announced a few months ago considering placing corners products for adults in stores that until now have not necessarily sold sets of the brand.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 7th January 2021 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.