Raft potting question

[RoadManDenDron]

So I have a deshojo I plan to make a raft out of,

My question is about potting to raft position, particularly timing,

I was going to keep most of the roots and pot it horizontally in a tray like in the peter adams book,

I also plan to cut some windows in the trunk and pack with sphagnum to encourage rooting but I am concerned with timing and 'bleeding'

I could pot horizontally now and cut windows once the growth hardens off?

Or work the roots harder than I planned and hope it doesn't 'bleed'

Any tips much appreciated

 

[RJG2]

Disclaimer: I've never done this.

My gut tells me that you could do it all at once. Modest root pruning on the current root ball to slow bleeding - which may also promote new rooting at the windows.

Look forward to hear other answers.

 

[River's Edge]

Timing is early spring before bud break.
If you trim roots first before pruning you will reduce bleeding!
I would choose the preferred method based on what you have work with. The safest will be to box up the root ball temporarily.
I would follow Peters directions and perform all the steps at the same time.
The root pruning will reduce bleeding and encourage rooting in the window areas.
Peters directions are valid, no need for divergence. The key is what position do you have with the current root ball to work with. That is the key to which potting position for the existing root ball. I would err on the side of caution to ensure a positive outcome over time. There is no rush, you will be working other aspects of the raft for several years down the road.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

The safest will be to box up the root ball temporarily.

Yea Frank boxing the existing roots was the plan,

The tree was my friends last year and he was developing the trunk as a tree not a raft so the current roots are grown on a board,

I hope to remove the current base and roots once the raft is established and continue it's development as a shohin tree

 

[Cadillactaste]

Great potential for a raft. Love rafts. Have fun with it.