Brian,
Interesting how you used an inverted pot in your first photo of the root work. When you repotted after that, did you find any roots in the inverted pot? My initial thought is that it would be next to impossible to completely fill that inverted pot with soil, and an air pocket would be there. It seemed to work pretty well for you, though.
In the third photo, I see you are using something different under the trunk. What are you using?
I posted a while back a zelkova that I screwed onto a piece of plywood. It's doing great. The benefit of the plywood is I was able to arrange the roots out and hold them there using screws. Boon says to use nails. (Boon also said I didn't remove enough of the fibrous roots. I should have cut more off.) I've heard of using staples, too.
I just did another little zelkova (I took a photo, and if I can figure out how to get it off my iphone, I'll post it) and this time I pressed in some spaghnum moss, hoping that the bottom of the trunk chop will ground layer some additional roots. I'll know next year if it worked.
Brian, I really appreciate the time you take to post your projects. Your work inspires me. And I have to commend you on posting on root work. I think root work is the least well understood aspect of bonsai.
