Next project: Bonsai Raft Forest

[Bonsai Forest]

I’ve decided to develop my latest gm juniper (IMG 8035, 8057) for the purpose of rafting a forest. The trunk goes up and then hard left. I plan to let it grow in that direction, naturally, and wire into upright. When it reaches desired thickness, I’ll create the forest. Steps to accomplish goal.

1. Develop tree as usual in organic medium
2. Wire into upright
3. Create a windswept type of style
4. Cut “bark windows” along bare side
5. Coat windows with Take Root (hormone)
6. Repot into box laying down with recumbent trunk hidden (anchor tree in place)
7. Or partially hide recumbent trunk (can’t decide)
8. Continue development and new root growth
9. Create individual trees from remaining branches
10. Transition to refinement phase

I’ve spent the 1st 5 months of bonsai learning and practicing horticulture alone with my junipers. Only light seasonal Spring pruning on my 1st tree (IMG 8049, 8050) which is beaming with energy and has a healthy solar panel canopy of foliage by now. The additional RAW NPK 20-0-0 worked well for elongation.

In Spring of 2024, I’ll slip pot and go organic with the tiny Juniper (IMG 8059, 8060).

If anyone has pictures of their bonsai rafting projects, please share as I’m feeling inspired and extremely motivated.

 

[leatherback]

Killed over winter, but was going places..

 

[Bonsai Forest]

Killed over winter, but was going places..


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That was a very nice raft. I like the exposed/disappearing trunk. I still intend to create a forest in this manner.

What exactly happened?

 

[leatherback]

What exactly happened?

I think it was a late frost dipping too deep after it had started to grow

 

[Tieball]

Killed over winter, but was going places..


View attachment 503672View attachment 503673View attachment 503674

It was going to be fabulous.

 

[Tieball]

I’ve decided to develop my latest gm juniper (IMG 8035, 8057) for the purpose of rafting a forest. The trunk goes up and then hard left. I plan to let it grow in that direction, naturally, and wire into upright. When it reaches desired thickness, I’ll create the forest. Steps to accomplish goal.

1. Develop tree as usual in organic medium
2. Wire into upright
3. Create a windswept type of style
4. Cut “bark windows” along bare side
5. Coat windows with Take Root (hormone)
6. Repot into box laying down with recumbent trunk hidden (anchor tree in place)
7. Or partially hide recumbent trunk (can’t decide)
8. Continue development and new root growth
9. Create individual trees from remaining branches
10. Transition to refinement phase

I’ve spent the 1st 5 months of bonsai learning and practicing horticulture alone with my junipers. Only light seasonal Spring pruning on my 1st tree (IMG 8049, 8050) which is beaming with energy and has a healthy solar panel canopy of foliage by now. The additional RAW NPK 20-0-0 worked well for elongation.

In Spring of 2024, I’ll slip pot and go organic with the tiny Juniper (IMG 8059, 8060).

If anyone has pictures of their bonsai rafting projects, please share as I’m feeling inspired and extremely motivated.

I like that short bump of the primary root exposed in your drawing showing expectations. I have not tried a raft yet so no photos or experience from me.

 

[Bonsai Forest]

I like that short bump of the primary root exposed in your drawing showing expectations. I have not tried a raft yet so no photos or experience from me.

Raft forest makes perfect sense in theory, but applying it.. I have high hopes!

 

[Tieball]

Raft forest makes perfect sense in theory, but applying it.. I have high hopes!

I totally understand and agree.