AusBonsai

I thought i might share my first Root over Rock.
I had several Chinese Elm cuttings free,started last november .They were one year old cuttings.
I wrapped the roots with grafting tape,and placed in pots.Good soil on the bottom and the rest coarse sand.On top a layer of sphagnum moss .
I placed in trays and feed heavily thoughout Autumn and Winter.
I am a little unsure where to go now. Thinking of a trunk chop and starting to grow some branches . Getting a top with some tapper.??
Any advice, criticism,or such will be much appreciated.
Proably old hat for the pros,but good fun for newbys like me.
Thanks all John.

hi mate

good start with this one, the roots are getting solid on that rock, I would be doing some root grafting to make the roots more interesting as that is what is going to be a focal point to the tree. I would then get a sacrifce low on the trunk to get some thickening happening this will help with the roots too.

branching isnt a prob as you can go back to bare trunk down the track and rebuild with branching in the right spots and early wiring

jamie

Fantastic work Boom,
Chinese elm is not an easy species to get the roots to clasp solid to the rock such as other species like trident maple and fig so this looks outstanding for a couple of years with an elm. I would like to hear about the processes you used to accomplish this.
But a classic beginner mistake with root over rock is to plant the tree on top of the rock like you have. I am also not that keen on the rock you have used I think it is a little boring. I understand it is hard to find good rocks but with the skill you have shown here I assure you the effort to find exciting rocks will be well worth the more interesting result.
That said this is still great material and I would be chopping the trunk back hard and letting it grow strong for a year or two. Then when looking for the front of the tree consider tilting the rock and tree so that it exits at some angle instead of straight up and then use a new leader in a more upward position.
Edit: Just noticed a low branch on the trunk I would cut it back to just above that branch in Autumn and then let it grow unrestricted agian next year.

I like the how the roots tightly embrace the rock.

Thanks for the response Jamie.I will have ago at root grafting,got to learn some time.
Bretts,thanks for your input.Will grow on again(with grafts) and do the chop in autumn.As for the process, i used small lengths of grafting tape (300mm long,25mm wide).I stretched each piece to within breaking point around root and rock and then tied off.Working like this untill completelly covering the rock.No muck just bare root on to rock.Then fertilized continously in the tray it was sitting in.
John.

Well i think you have done a great job for your first time, keep it up