Slab Planting

[alpineart]

This is a quick and simple method i use for slab plantings , it works for me others may use differing methods or materials ,thats O.K .

1/ First off i choose the slab , clean and wash then choose a front with the most character.

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2/ Using a mixture of 2 parts clay and 1 part potting mix i blend together to make a stiff pliable mixture . To this i add coarse river sand usually 5mm minus until it becomes gritty to the feel and still pliable .

3 /Then i simple add an even amount of muck usually about 20mm thick around the perimeter of the slab leaving a margin of around 5-10mm of the slab edge exposed .Because the clay is quite sticky i then spray with a water bottle before pressing the mix down firmly . Using my thumb as a guage around the edge i smooth the muck down to a height of about 10mm and maintaining the profile of the slab for added character .

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4/ Before i place the tree into the now created tray i mark 2-3 places into the created wall for drainage . Then pot the tree as per normal tray method .With the tree potted i sprinkle extra Bonsai mix over the wall and firm down , this blends the soil to the wall to the slab unifying the finished item .Add a rock or two , some moss and its as simple as that .

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.This was created January 09 , i will update the latest pic which shows a more settled look .Cheers and Happy Bonsai. Alpine

[anttal63]

Very Cool my man!!! this time i love the way the big rock left, smaller rock right work with the movement in the tree! Great progression, great composition Ian!

[alpineart]

Very Cool my man!!! this time i love the way the big rock left, smaller rock right work with the movement in the tree! Great progression, great composition Ian!

Thanks antonio , sometimes i take a bit of care other times i'm in too much of a hurry and dont place the right rock or moss in the otimum position .

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[Jamie]

Gday Ian, lovely little planting you have there i am curious do you make these slaps yourself or are the found? i would be interested in knowing the process you use if you do make them, i have been thinking about trying to make one myself, i have seen techniques using cement fondue chicken wire and a cloth material, and also fibreglass aswell.

cheers

jamie

[alpineart]

Gday Ian, lovely little planting you have there i am curious do you make these slaps yourself or are the found? i would be interested in knowing the process you use if you do make them, i have been thinking about trying to make one myself, i have seen techniques using cement fondue chicken wire and a cloth material, and also fibreglass aswell.

cheers

jamie

Hi Jamie , it is a nice little trainer ,as for the slabs they are Granite from a farm near Euroa Victoria .Unfortunately a crew from Melbourne turned up on his farm and destroyed any chance of others collecting any more .This particular item is destined for his wife as a good will gesture in appreciation of their kind gesture to allow me in after the enviromental commercial vandels ripped the guts out of his paddocks .Cheers

[Jamie]

thats a very kind thought of you Ian. good stuff! thanks for letting me know


jamie

[bodhidharma]

Gday Ian, lovely little planting you have there i am curious do you make these slaps yourself or are the found? i would be interested in knowing the process you use if you do make them, i have been thinking about trying to make one myself, i have seen techniques using cement fondue chicken wire and a cloth material, and also fibreglass aswell.

cheers

jamie

Hi Jamie , it is a nice little trainer ,as for the slabs they are Granite from a farm near Euroa Victoria .Unfortunately a crew from Melbourne turned up on his farm and destroyed any chance of others collecting any more .This particular item is destined for his wife as a good will gesture in appreciation of their kind gesture to allow me in after the enviromental commercial vandels ripped the guts out of his paddocks .Cheers

Are they allowed to do that without the owners permission or was he compensated Alpine. Surely if he didnt want it they couldnt come on and take it. Not hijacking the thread Alpine just finding out as i own land right smack in the middle of gold country

[alpineart]

Hi Bodhi , permission was sought and granted to collect a few pieces for personal use , but their plan was to bring a truck and front end loader .The entered the property early about 2 klms from the homestead and cut loose . The truck was bogged so the used the front end loader to dig it out then bolted leaving a hell of a mess behind .Unfortunately no names or addresses were given so no justice for the farmer .Cheers