Serissa Foetid

[MelaQuin]

I got this in October because I like odd trees. I honestly had not known how Rampant a Serissa is and this needs heavy pruning fortnightly. It makes a privet look slow. I would just like some opinions. The rock is there because it fits nicely under the 'rump' of the trunk and the roots come out quite far to the front, making the tree appear recessed.

Just home..

Serissa F 2008-10 1.jpg

Serissa F 2008-10 2.jpg

Serissa F frt 2009-02.jpg

Serissa F Frt no rock 2009-02.jpg

Serissa F bk 2009-02.jpg

As best as you can tell... keeping in mind that the photo does not show the depth of the root extension,
Rock or no rock
Front as is or
Back as front. If the back becomes the front the low branch needs to be reduced a lot and that leaves no back branch below the top foliage.

So... what are your thoughts.
Also, while we are about it, would this be considered Informal Upright???

[Hector Johnson]

With or without the rock looks fine. It gives the impression that it might be root-over-rock if you leave it there, so that's no bad thing.

The front you have chosen looks fine, too. Given that is Serissa foetida it's going to remain quite small so you can get away with that bottom/back branch.

Long term I would be inclined to try to grow that bach branch taller and see if you can coax a twin trunk out of it, perhaps.

Informal upright or slanting, for now.

[Jon Chown]

Lee, for me it's without the rock, but I agree with Hector in that you should encourage the rear branch to become a 'daughter' trunk. The way this one grows it doesn't look like it would take long to achieve.

Jon

[PeterW]

Lee, for me it's without the rock, but I agree with Hector in that you should encourage the rear branch to become a 'daughter' trunk. The way this one grows it doesn't look like it would take long to achieve.

Jon

Ditto Jon and Hector. Lose the rock Lee.
Peter

[Bretts]

I say whithout the rock. But if you do want the rock I would work at incorporating the rock more into a true root over rock. In any event at next repot get stuck into those roots. I think you can improve it alot by getting some ground roots from the large one on the left(with the daughter branch behind) I suggest it could be as easy as cutting that root back hard (balance others as possible) I am thinking this will enchourage surface roots in this area.
maybe it is the roots that gave you inspiration for the branches. They give cedit to the roots. I like it.

Edit: Just looking again that branch curves around to the back so just cutting back may not get what I was thinking. Maybe cut back and slice some bark of apply rooting hormone and cover with spag moss. I would also reckomend a pot set up that does not fear eriosoin for this root development.

[MelaQuin]

Okay to all the above... nice tho the rock is [and it is!!]. But is this tree an informal upright? The apex does 'apex' but then it curves strongly to the left.... so is it Informal U or 'Other'??