You have done a stellar job with the tree, it's incredible.Derek,
the tree apparently was just planted into the box with substrate - baked loam in this case. It was never worked on, just left alone very much. The person had noch much clue of bonsai styling I assume.
I assume that the root flare was already there when the tree was collected. He just uncovered it. You'd never create that in a pot or box.Love this tree!
Can i please ask, when the tree spent 10 years in the wood box, was the tree planted on a tile or plate to encourage that root flare? Or were the roots worked every few years throughout those ten years to encourage flare?
Also, when in the wood box, was it in ordinary potting soil?
Thank you!
Derek