clerodendrum on rock.

[Jamie]

this little clero is of shohin size, the tree is only 6 inches tall. the rock and tree fit perfectly together, i dont have seperate pics of either sorry about that.
i used grafting tape as it streches a bit but holds tight when tied, to attach the tree to the rock, i used wire to hold it in place while tying the graft tape. the wire was then removed later. once tied to the rock i used some more graft tape to get all the roots under the rock together and tied them up so it stays under the rock neatly.

i have tried to use the crevices and notches that the rock naturally had to sit the roots in, this will give a nice natural look once the tree starts clinging to the rock. it will also contrast well, i am hoping the way these things grow it wont take to long in the grow box, but i am not going to rush this either as i know the longer they are underground with the roots growing over the rock, the better it will cling, i will occasionally lift the tree and check it out to see how it is going

Clerorok.jpg

once this part of the process was complete, and in the diatomite mix, i wired the branches, some were soft and some were hardening off so this is a good sign. it looks a bit like the rear branch is not right but it will fill out and eventually give the tree some nice depth.
if you can tell in the pics that with this tree and the triple trunk, the apex's are coming slightly forward as if to bow to the veiwer. this is an important part of design when selecting a preffered front to veiw from. as much as i like to be able to veiw a tree from all angles and think that the best trees are veiwable from all angles, there is always a preffered veiwing angle or "front".

let me know what ya think

cheers


jamie

[MelaQuin]

Your start is nice but you will have your work cut out for you as clerendendron is such a rampant grower. The leaves reduce beautifully, can't knock that. I have a shohin about 15cm tall and it is hard to keep it in shape due to the massive growth. I suppose I could make it more drought hardy and restrict the water but I prefer my plants to always be moist. Anyway, full marks if you can keep this under control. The basics are very nice - you have done good things with the start.

[Jamie]

thanks mel! this is my first real attempt at root over rock, it is something that i am hoping works really well, thetrees nebari didnt have much going for it but it fit perfectly into the rock so it worked out perfect! its good to have a rampant grower around to keep me busy

i just hope i havent forgotten anything with the technique!


jamie

[Jamie]

just a little virt of what i am thinking, its nothing special in the virt but it is somewhere along these lines? if anyone else has ideas go for it!
it will have more depth by extra foliage from the back of the tree and maybe a few smaller branches, or the other possibility is a full canopy, but that might hide the great trunk it has?

Clerorokvirt.jpg

Clerorokvirtfullcanopy.jpg

im not sure about the full canopy though, i think it covers and takes away from the great trunk, and creates reverse taper? dont like that

jamie

[Jamie]

here we are about a month or so since i last posted about this one, it is going well, strong growth and lots of new shoots, and it is clinging to the rock well, so happy bout that, here are a couple of pics, one when it got attached to the rock and the other as of today

Clerorok.jpg

Conrock.jpg

any ideas, advice, critisism is welcomed, i am always open to a different veiw

jamie

[Rod]

G`day Jamie mate here`s a couple of virts that may be useful. CHEERS ROD...........

J clerov1.png

J clerov2.png

[hugh grant]

good virts rod, i like the second one the best

hugh

[Jamie]

as per usual rodd you have hit to options right on the head! more so the image i had in mind than the virt i produced
i like both of them but am more partial to the second one with the twin trunk, beautiful!
i think that could work well as there is a branch that comes from the back but would allow the tree to possibly develop that second trunk, otherwise i think there are small branchlets there anyways that will thicken nicely, as you would remember this tree Rod it has a large trunk chop right in front there, i havent cleaned up with a wire brush yet but i dont think i will be carving it out either as i like the way it gives the tree a bulged look adding to the age of the tree


jamie

[Rod]

Mate I get into the trunks on these with dish washing liquid ,water and a tooth brush . The trunks come up nearly white, you`ll be suprised how good they come up. I like the second virt aswell. ROD..

[Jamie]

i will definately have to look into it, as much as i like the cleaned trunk of the triple i got, i also left some of the black on as i think it adds an aged look, i do need to get into the deadwood a bit more and clean up definately, and a lime sulphur wont hurt either but i think i will tone it down some


jamie

[Luke]

should be an amazing root over rock jamie!!! i like it allot!!!
great virts too

luke

[Jamie]

thanks luke

to be honest it is my first attempt at root over rock and this and the triple trunk are my first two clero that i have ever worked with i had never worked with the species until about a month or so ago. i must say they are very good trees to work on, they are quick growing, have a hard wood that carves well, and are good to train

if you can find one to dig for a mature speciemen get it, and dont worry if it has trunks coming of it all over the place as thick cuttings strike pretty well from what i have seen


jamie

[Jamie]

just an update, its going well, main branches are hardening off and thickening up, secondaries are building up nicely, i am have trimmed them back to two leaves, it probably wont last long but it helps to build ramification up

Clero on rock 2.jpg

Clero on rock top.jpg

Clero on rock side.jpg

jamie

[alpineart]

Hi Jamie nice little trainer you've done a good job .With the tying method i use hemp parcel string and wrap continually around the entire rootball placing the roots as i go .The string rots away in about 3-6 months , doesn't mark the roots and no need to remove it .Simply remove from the pot brush the roots and the soil , whats left of the decayed string falls away .I have tried many different methods and the string is by far the easiest most effective .Cheers

[Jamie]

thanks alpine appreciate the confidence booster

i didnt think of that sort of string it would work a lot better then what i have done as the plastic graft tape although works well it can have a little bit of movement or strech unless worked properly around it many, many times over. i would be tempted to lift the tree but i would be a little bit worried doing that as i am expecting the tree to be growing a nice strong root system which will support the tree and the rock, moreso holding the rock tight

after the 3-6 months when the string falls off do you worry to much bout stability and how long before you lift the whole thing and work it?
what are your techniques overall getting the tree to attach after say 12 months or do you expect the tree to be on the rock solid by then? do you slowly remove levels of soil after so long?

i know these seem like basic questions but i havent had to much excperience with ROR as this was my first attempt!

jamie