Beer can bonsai

It's Kev · Oct 5, 2017

the general idea is to never repot really. That’s why my tree of choice here is ficus m. Eventually the roots will creep out, and I’ll put the whole deal in a pot when the roots reach the bottom of the can. I want to create the type of image where nature takes back what we took from it, with the whole can covered in roots. I actually hope the tree will slowly crush it.
The tree keeps growing new shoots all over, so I’m managing well.

just.wing.it · Oct 5, 2017

Cool idea!
Reminds me a bit of Nigel Saunders'"root over temple".

It's Kev · Oct 5, 2017

just.wing.it said:
Cool idea!
Reminds me a bit of Nigel Saunders'"root over temple".

i saw that video, and then i found an Ankor Watt temple aquarium ornament online, but the one Nigel built himself was better because its smaller.

just.wing.it · Oct 5, 2017

kevinlovett86 said:
i saw that video, and then i found an Ankor Watt temple aquarium ornament online, but the one Nigel built himself was better because its smaller.

Yeah, instated checking out aquarium stuff too... but it's all plastic...
I like the idea of building one from slate chips, or something similar...
Then it would be absolutely unique.

hemmy · Oct 5, 2017

Ha! Is Budweiser considered an 'import' beer in China? I'm sure they actually brew it in country.

It's Kev · Oct 5, 2017

It’s locally brewed, a bit higher priced than regular local beer, but we can also get Heineken here, which is imported with the price tag to show

Bonsai Nut · Oct 5, 2017

kevinlovett86 said:
the general idea is to never repot really.

You might be in for a wait. I have had a ficus in the same pot for 21 years. I trim it twice a year, it is doing great, but it shows no sign of trying to creep out of the container it is in.

Giga · Oct 5, 2017

Tell budwiser there's a tree in my can and see if you can get a free pack of beer. Isn't that what the kids are doing now a days?

It's Kev · Oct 5, 2017

Bonsai Nut said:
You might be in for a wait. I have had a ficus in the same pot for 21 years. I trim it twice a year, it is doing great, but it shows no sign of trying to creep out of the container it is in.

I was gonna let it grow without any trimming and see how that plays out. Maybe I’ve got high hopes. But, I won’t know if I don’t try

Hank Miller · Oct 7, 2017

In New York State there is a 5 cent return fee for an empty beer can. I think I would rather have the 5 cents. A much better idea, in my opinion, is to use a piece of drift wood or a carved piece of wood (or styrofoam) and grow the tree over this in much the same way that one grows a root over rock planting. The roots as well as the cutting can be wrapped around the piece of wood. In time the wood will be completely covered. Regards Hank

It's Kev · Apr 25, 2018

I chopped this guy down a bit because the wind kept blowing it over... in December

Since the winter was very mild, it just kept growing. In February I went home to South Africa and left all my trees with a guy to water them. This one I just dumped in a bucket of water for that 5 week period and I came home to this...

Spring has sprung in the Middle Kingdom, and my tree exploded with growth in its 3 new directions...

Aaand then back down again, as I want new branches in different directions. I didn’t wire the original branches, so there’s some slight regret. But never mind, it’s my ‘what-the-heck’ tree anyway.

ERIKA · Apr 25, 2018

kevinlovett86 said:
I chopped this guy down a bit because the wind kept blowing it over... in December
View attachment 188870

Since the winter was very mild, it just kept growing. In February I went home to South Africa and left all my trees with a guy to water them. This one I just dumped in a bucket of water for that 5 week period and I came home to this...

View attachment 188869

Spring has sprung in the Middle Kingdom, and my tree exploded with growth in its 3 new directions...

View attachment 188871

Aaand then back down again, as I want new branches in different directions. I didn’t wire the original branches, so there’s some slight regret. But never mind, it’s my ‘what-the-heck’ tree anyway.
View attachment 188872

This last photo shows that the trunk is getting thicker and is in danger of getting cut through by the edge of the can opening... I think you you need to open up the whole top of the can to give space for the trunk... Just a suggestion though

It's Kev · Apr 25, 2018

ERIKA said:
This last photo shows that the trunk is getting thicker and is in danger of getting cut through by the edge of the can opening... I think you you need to open up the whole top of the can to give space for the trunk... Just a suggestion though

There is some space left, but I’ll keep an eye on it. But I’m curious to see what the tree will do to the can over time.

Oh yeah, found some left over wire...

Tieball · Apr 25, 2018

I think that the can top will simply cause the tree to create a ring around the trunk where it meets the opened-can edges. Like a tourniquet would...but there’s no soil above for roots...just the can top exposed....maybe it heals/closes over the can top.
Have fun with it though. At least you can clearly see the thickening growth. Curious also to see it it will explode the can seams....a new creative twist for Bud swelling and breaking.

just.wing.it · Apr 25, 2018

Don't let AdairM see those crossed wires, ?

It's Kev · Nov 3, 2019

Suppose I should start working on some branch proportions, maybe a sacrificial branch here and there.
Not sure why my images are sideways again, maybe because I’m uploading in zero gravity

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