Trident root over rock progression

[Josh]

I got this trident 12 months ago. I decided to try a root over rock with it. This will become it's progression thread.

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I plan to plant this tree with several other rocks in the pot to form a kind of rocky hill/outcrop. But for now it's back onto the bench for another 12 months. Lots of feed and water to come.
I will update this thread with more progressions as they come although probably not for another 12 months

Josh

[GreenThumb]

Thanks Josh this was really informative, great tree you are working with too.

[loyskirineba]

Good one Josh! I like where it’s going…

I appreciate how you documented your progression with photos and all and that goes to all the contributors here @ ausbonsai who does the same as well
I’ve been meaning to do the same but I’m just not good in documenting my projects… maybe one of these days.

Cheers,
Carlos

[Isitangus]

Nice progression. For me I don't think this tree needs the rock and would make a nice little informal upright on its own!

[loyskirineba]

Maybe it's due to the way the nebari developed that pushes Josh to come up with ROR only he can answer of course

[Boics]

Yes.

I too wonder about the rock.

It is going to end up as a tree perched right on the tip of a rock?
Haven't seen too many of these naturally growing...

Just being constructive - I would think that a more accommodating rock might assist.

Certainly looks like a nice tree!

[Josh]

Maybe it's due to the way the nebari developed that pushes Josh to come up with ROR only he can answer of course

Yes.

I too wonder about the rock.

It is going to end up as a tree perched right on the tip of a rock?
Haven't seen too many of these naturally growing...

Just being constructive - I would think that a more accommodating rock might assist.

Certainly looks like a nice tree!

Nice progression. For me I don't think this tree needs the rock and would make a nice little informal upright on its own!

Interesting comments guys When I pulled this tree out of the pot my first thought was "this is actually a strong tree in it's own right, maybe it doesn't need the rock". Then when I cleaned the soil away I thought " what was I thinking planting it on top of the rock".
I actually have 3 other rocks that I was going to create a rocky hill with so it wouldn't actually be sitting on top of the rock in it's final placing but looking at it now I think it would be better without the rock.
I decided to post pictures with it as ROR and not mention my thoughts to see what reaction/comments I got. Interestingly you guys picked my thoughts on this tree. Originally the tree had a fairly large hollow area under the trunk which created an issue with the nebari. But 12 months on and way better knowledge of trindents and developing nebari (thanks Shibui) I think this tree will come off the rock (if I can get it off, it was well and truly stuck) and develop it as a tree in it's own right.
Thanks for the comments, you guys were spot on.

Josh

[Bush bunny]

Josh you only have two people to please, your tree and yourself. Have fun, and it looks great, I am about to experiment with a root over rock, but with a young maple. I mean very young.

Cheers

Pat.

[Josh]

So after another season of growing in a deep pot this tree put on some serious root growth. I decided to keep it on the rock. I'm happy with where it's at for the moment.

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Now to work on the branching.
Josh

[EdwardH]

Hi Josh, if you are going to stick with the ROR I would plant it in a deep pot again and progressively reveal the roots one or two cm per year. This will cause the roots to thicken more quickly so that in a few years you get a better result. As it is, the newer roots look like they have been glued onto the end of the older, thicker roots.