How tall can you go?

[Jasonb]

Firstly, to the mods. I'm unsure of whether this thread is in the right place? So if you need to move it, please do so, thank you.

Good evening everyone, hope you had a good day, I know I did.
The title of this thread is in relation to a ROR I created today with an azalea. I've been training this tree to become a ROR for nearly 12 months with the aid of a piece of granite to separate the main roots. I've had the rock it is now on for around 11 months and have not used the tree or rock for anything else because I knew they had to be together as soon as I had the two next to each other.

Buuuuuutttt, in my usual fashion, I forgot to take a few before photos of the the whole process and can only give a half of what was actually done.

In any case here it is,







At the moment, I am not concerned with the foliage at all. Really focussing on getting those roots to hug the rock.

All comments wanted and welcome.

Also on the title again, I was wondering who else out there has some ROR compositions they want to show off? And how tall?
When mine is in a pot, it will stand at roughly 52cm tall ( ish )

Look forward to hearing from you.

[Pup]

Why are you planting it on the TOP of the rock?? the reason I ask, is all the really good root over rock plantings are usually on the lower side of the top.
Think about a tree sitting up there with all the wind which by the way would blow all the soil off.


Just my Pup

[kcpoole]

Interesting plan and hope it works
I would not have done it now as Azaleas are usually repotted in Spring, but see what happens.
Thought I had posted my Maples, but cannot find the threads

Ken

[Jasonb]

I put it on top because after a little play around, I felt that it was the best idea for the tree and the most appealing to me. I know in a perfect world that the side of the rock would have been ideal, but we don't live in a perfect world, and I'm sure even you pup, get that look at a tree and just think it has to be this way? Anyway, this is my first ROR attempt so I'm not expecting it to be perfect. Do you have any good examples of YOUR OWN trees that you could show me? I'd love to see them.

Anyone else out there?

[Jasonb]

I knew I'd get that one ken, I didn't actually need to take a huge amount of roots so I'm pretty confident it will be fine. Where it is kept is easily protected if the weather gets out of hand. Only time will tell though.

Would love to see your maples too.

JasonBeazley

[Pup]

I put it on top because after a little play around, I felt that it was the best idea for the tree and the most appealing to me. I know in a perfect world that the side of the rock would have been ideal, but we don't live in a perfect world, and I'm sure even you pup, get that look at a tree and just think it has to be this way? Anyway, this is my first ROR attempt so I'm not expecting it to be perfect. Do you have any good examples of YOUR OWN trees that you could show me? I'd love to see them.

Anyone else out there?

Mine have been posted here.

[Jasonb]

Where? I can only see text.....

[kcpoole]

I think pup meant on this site and to search for them.

[Jasonb]

In all due respect then Ken, what is the point if posting anymore if I only get ushered away from my own thread to search through others. If that was how I wanted to learn I would have read a book. I felt that this forum was the best way to further my knowledge, which is quite limited. But as I seem to post more it feels less and less welcoming. Is there anything I can improve on to get positive replies or should I just stick to reading the wiki and not worry anymore. Please excuse the outburst, just a little lost on what to do.

Jasonb

[Pup]

In all due respect then Ken, what is the point if posting anymore if I only get ushered away from my own thread to search through others. If that was how I wanted to learn I would have read a book. I felt that this forum was the best way to further my knowledge, which is quite limited. But as I seem to post more it feels less and less welcoming. Is there anything I can improve on to get positive replies or should I just stick to reading the wiki and not worry anymore. Please excuse the outburst, just a little lost on what to do.

Jasonb

My reply was to educate you not to be insulted. In the way you asked to see what I have. If you wish to learn the art of Bonsai correctly you have to taught correctly.
Also research and reading along with patience is required.

It is replies like this that get the older more experienced growers off side.

Now you know. Your future post will not receive any input from me.

[MoGanic]

In all due respect then Ken, what is the point if posting anymore if I only get ushered away from my own thread to search through others. If that was how I wanted to learn I would have read a book. I felt that this forum was the best way to further my knowledge, which is quite limited. But as I seem to post more it feels less and less welcoming. Is there anything I can improve on to get positive replies or should I just stick to reading the wiki and not worry anymore. Please excuse the outburst, just a little lost on what to do.

Jasonb

My reply was to educate you not to be insulted. In the way you asked to see what I have. If you wish to learn the art of Bonsai correctly you have to taught correctly.
Also research and reading along with patience is required.

It is replies like this that get the older more experienced growers off side.

Now you know. Your future post will not receive any input from me.

Come on boys, no need for pickles due to a misunderstanding.

Jason, its not difficult to use the search function and you can filter results by user. Pup directed you in this way for a learning experience as the original posts will have info on the techniques he used and most likely will have progression photos. It would be ridiculous to assume he has the time to repost this every time someone asked and would defeat the purpose of his original post in the first place.

Pup, you are a very respected member of the community and your advice is always welcome. Please dont hold back from posting at all!! Even if the person who posted the original post doesn't, a lot of silent readers will appreciate and learn from your posts.

Thats my 2c!! Now to pull a runner. Ciao!

-Mo

[Bougy Fan]

I think you may just have to accept you will get differing levels of help and advice here. It is true that the trees look much better when NOT placed on top - I picked that up from a thread of Bretts. You do have it to one side - maybe a little bit lower would look better. Ken is fairly experienced with azalea's so he may have a point about the timing. Can I ask why you wrapped the roots and left them exposed ? Shibui has a great article on his site about using alfoil and burying it. I use a split pot and surround the roots in soil/mix to keep the light off them as it slows the growth.

[craig_w]

Hey, nice looking azalea you have there,I like where it sits..as long as you're happy with it that's what counts.


I thought I would share my little ROR Pohutukawa NZ Christmas bush as you all call it

[Isitangus]

Hi Jason I've honestly never thought of an azalea ROR...not sure why...not saying its wrong. Keen to see how it progresses. I think the difficulty with ROR's (for me anyway) is trying to see the evolved tree on the rock and how it would sit/look.
The good thing about advice is we can take it or leave it. I have learnt often the hard way that tone and intent do not often come across as intended well in the written text.
I personally don't have any big ROR's, only a few littlest but no point taking pics as they are still growing.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Jasonb]

Sorry for the delay, needed a night to cool off.

Bougy, I wrapped the roots this way and buried the lower so I can slowly unwrap it as I feel the roots are comfortable and strong enough to be exposed. I also have sphagnum moss in the wrap, so it isn't overly exposed to the sun. This is an experiment as well as a hopeful good looking tree at the end. Not sure how it will work out. Only time can decide that now.

Craig,

Love that Christmas bush mate. How long has it been on that rock? And what method did you use?

Angus,

I've seen a few online and was quite impressed by them, so I thought give it a go and see what happened. This is my first big ROR that I have tried too, so I'm excited to see this one progress too. Will be sure to keep the photos coming.

Cheers jasonb.