First attempt at root over rock Chinese Elm.. six years on!

[siddhar]

G'day everyone, I wanted to share some pics of my root over rock Elm in progress. I bought this tree six years ago in a four inch pot for $8.00

After some contemplation I decided a root over rock style for this tree. Being my first attempt, I applied techniques that were only theoretical, and off the internet.

This is my result after the initial five year commitment in establishing the root over rock style. As you all well know, the process for root over rock is a tedious one!! Im happy so far with the result, although the nebari is something that I will definitely correct on future projects in this style.

Let me know what you think? Any suggestions on corrections in style or drastic changes for this Elm would be appreciated

The photo's aren't great for definition and are pretty washed out.. sorry!

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[de_keizer]

Very nice tree, the only thing i would change if possible is to place the bulk of the tree to the right of the rock, as i personally prefer root over rock trees when the bulk of the tree is to one side of the rock, this is just my opinion but i think it would look much better. I'd do this by placing the rock at a different angle towards the right of the pot and then bend the trunk back to the vertical'ish.

i drew a pic of my idea, for you, if i'm not describing it right. As they say, a picture's worth a thousand words.

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[Greth]

Lovely. The idea with more movement looks good, but your choice!

[siddhar]

the only thing i would change if possible is to place the bulk of the tree to the right of the rock

That makes perfect visual sense, Ill give it a go, although the tree is pretty fixed in its upright position... but as we all know with Bonsai, "where there's a will, there's a way!"

[siddhar]

Here are some better shots taken this morning. The tree stands 40cm tall also. I don't particularly like the current pot its in, so will re-pot into something nicer next Spring.

Do you think a glazed pot would better suit And some colour suggestions would be great

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[kcpoole]

Pale Green or Greyish to match the bark and foliage colour

Ken

[Guy]

is that a round or oval pot-in either I reckon it should be closer to the center

[siddhar]

Is that a round or oval pot-in either I reckon it should be closer to the centre

Its an oval pot Guy, and to be honest at the time it was all I had to accommodate the tree. The rock is a problem when selecting a suitable pot, as allowing for depth is the first consideration.

You're right though.. my next re-pot and ill position the tree a little more central. Today I adjusted the apex to lean more to the right, allowing for an easier on the eye style.

[siddhar]

Hi all, an update on this ROR Elm. Ive let this tree grow uninhibited until today where I gave it a big trim and a light wiring. Im still unhappy with the obvious straight line in the trunk (which can be corrected by re-growing a new apex, which Im not prepared to do!) Im looking for that happy medium and am open to everyones thoughts on the final direction for this tree. Ive been working on this ROR for 8 years. I tried to upload several angles on this tree but gave up in frustration as its Sunday night and this is the best compromise my patience will allow

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[Andrew F]

Looking great Sidd, good to see you posting again too.

[kcpoole]

More movement off the top of the rock would be nice, you could cut back real hard and regrow the trunk but I doubt you want to do that.
Can you bend with some real big wire?

If not, then what you need now is to build the branch devinition and ramification that elms are so wonderful for

Ken

[siddhar]

Looking great Sidd, good to see you posting again too.

Thanks Velvet, yeah mate Im still around, have been very busy with work of late so hard to post as often as Id like lately..

More movement off the top of the rock would be nice, you could cut back real hard and regrow the trunk but I doubt you want to do that.
Can you bend with some real big wire?

Ken do you think if i notched out a small triangle in the trunk I could then pull the trunk down and get a bit more taper and movement happening? The trunk is pretty bloody stiff

[kcpoole]

You probably could do that, or use grants Drill out the trunk method too.

Grants method is possibly less invasive and faster to recover. Maybe have a go and test above the first branches just in case you have one of Pups ( oh Bugger moments ). Then you could regrow from the bramch if needed

Ken