In nature we very often see trees with roots flowing over and clasping rocks as if they have been there for ages. We can see these on the walls of old buildings and monuments in and around us. The roots, over time, penetrate the crevices between the bricks and boulders of the building/monument, giving a firm hold to the plant and adding age to it.
Lets see what we need for a Root overr Rock Style Bonsai
- A plant with a healthy strong bunch of dense roots.
- Rocks :
The shape of your plant and the aesthetic look it will get totally depends on the rock. The selection of the rock is very important. A rock with fissures and cavities is best suited as the roots can get a better foothold by penetrating into these cavities.
Timing of making the Bonsai
It is important to remember that this style of bonsai should not be attempted until spring, when repotting and root work will be less stressful for the plant.
The Visualisation
- Root over Rock bonsai usually looks better if the tree is not sitting at the top of the rock. The rock might look best in a vertical or horizontal position or at an angle somewhere in between. Make sure that the best face of the rock is visible and not covered when the tree is put. Take some time to closely examine the rock and see what looks best.
- This is the time to be patient and imagine the flow of the tree. Visualise how the trunk will emerge from the rock; whether it will follow the line of the trunk or emerge at an angle. This is a very important step because what you do now cannot be changed later and would decide the look of your bonsai.
- Think of the flow of the roots on the surface of the rock; how they will cling and where they will enter the rock . This has to be decided before starting the plantation step. It is time to plan how the roots will run down the rock. They will look best following the natural shape of the rock with some flowing into the cavities and some flowing along the fissures.
- Remember the focus here is on the flow of the roots. You can make a root over rock bonsai of any of the bonsai styles.
How to Proceed
- Remove the chosen plant from its pot.
- Cut off all unsightly or unnecessary foliage and wash as much soil as possible away from the root ball of the plant while being sure to avoid any damage to the roots.
- Try to remove as much soil possible by hand first, and then wash gently with a standard garden hose; remember, the closer to the rock they can be attached, the better!
- After the soil has been removed, take your chosen rock and your plant and place the plant over the rock and take your time experimenting to see what arrangement looks best. The roots of the plant should be spread on all sides and not be to one side, as bonsai should be able to be viewed from all directions. Place the roots carefully in the interesting crevices, nooks and crannies of your rock and implement the roots of the plant into these areas. Overlap thin, undeveloped roots, which, if left long enough, will merge together just as they would in nature.
- Tie the roots into place over the rock with some strands of jute thread; these will rot away with a few months and will not cut or mark the root surface.
- After the roots have been set in place bury the entire rock with the plant in a mixture of clean, sharp sand and bonsai potting soil. Plant it so that no part of the rock is visible making sure that the bottom part of the trunk of the tree is visible.
- Thoroughly water the bonsai, and leave it in its training pot for one to two years.
After one to two years …..
- Once the pot is taken away, the soil is removed by scraping gently with a chopstick or paintbrush and then washing, to expose the rock and root ball that has adhered to the rock. You will want to be gentle so that you don’t damage any of the established or newly formed roots; to be careless will cause quite a lot of undue stress to the plant.
- Choose a suitable ceramic bonsai pot to display your creation. Root over Rock styles look really lovely with shallow, oval pots. Repot your plant in the chosen pot, and fill with potting soil suitable for the type of plant you have chosen; water till runoff at bottom of pot is seen, wait a few minutes and then water again to ensure adequate moisture.
- Do not remove too much l plant growth for at least 6 months. Wire the branches but let it grow wild in order for it to get acclimatized to the surroundings. Over time the exposed roots would become hard and strong and give the perfect look.