Root Over Trunk, Really ???

[Vin]

Thanks for the reply... In all actuality, I didn't plan on the leaves being similar to the
b-woods, but after I put it all together and stepped back, it did hit me. I always said
b-woods have the best of both worlds, awesome foliage and awesome deadwood.

As far as Root over Trunk with a Juni...
My only question would be is there an incident in nature where a Juni would grow on
top of another trunk ??? I am not sure... It does not sound feasible, but strange things
do happen in nature.

Now if you are willing to suspend actual reality and not concern yourself with what
could happen in nature, then go for it !!! Not every thing in Bonsai has to be natural, or even
found in nature. But, understand that there are going to be a lot of folks for whom reality
is an essential part, and they are not going to understand... and they are going to let you
know, in not always the most pleasant of ways !!!


See with Ficus, the Strangler Fig does actually do this in nature. A bird will carry the fruit from
a ficus to another tree, leaving it behind, and it will actually start growing right on top of it.
I might be 30 feet in the air, but it will send down roots and will eventually take over the tree.

Yeah, I see your point and it makes perfect
sense.

Sometimes I ask questions not so much with
the intent to do what I'm asking about but
to learn from. So for that "thank you".

 

[A Random User]

Yeah, I see your point and it makes perfect
sense.

Sometimes I ask questions not so much with
the intent to do what I'm asking about but
to learn from. So for that "thank you".

If you don't ask questions, how can you learn !!!
Why don't you look into planting a juniper on a rock,
and doing a rock planting, it is for the most part similar.

 

[mike sommers]

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Here is the tree as of today...
I wired it out last fall, and as mentioned before we are
currently going through a period where all of my ficus are
dropping old leaves and replacing them with new, so It looks
a little sparse.

This years work is going to be all about building the top of the tree
It will not end up as high as my leader currently is, I am growing it out
to help thicken the trunk. I will also spend time developing 2nd and 3rd
branches...

Next yr I am hoping to have a very full canopy... for next year I will concentrate
totally on aerial roots. I might even end up putting this in a makeshift greenhouse
for the whole yr to really help promote new roots.

It looks fantastic! Looking forward to seeing it's progression.

 

[mike sommers]

So...
How many other folks will I see be trying
this technique ???

It's really fun and an awesome way to deal with
some ok material !!!

I think it's a great idea. Since bonsai is an art form, it doesn't have to mimic nature 100% of the time. The next time I get suitable material I think I'll give it a try. Thank you for sharing your new endeavor.

 

[A Random User]

I think it's a great idea. Since bonsai is an art, it doesn't have to mimic nature 100% of the time. The next time I get suitable material I think I'll give it a try. Thank you for sharing your new endeavor.

Thanks for the reply...
My comment regarding not mimicking nature was
Mainly in response to doing a juniper over a trunk...
Most would think that this kinda scenario would not
Actually happen, but in reality, who's to say ?
The world is full of things that were thought couldn't
Happen...
So, have at it !!!
Just understand that there are certainly folks for
Who this reality is fundamental.
For the rest of us... we would welcome the chance if
Done right, to suspend belief and just imagine !!!

As far as ficus, they do in fact do this, perhaps not
This particular species, but then again, boxwoods do
Not grow like oak trees and junipers are not pines, and
These are done all the time !

Have fun with yours and post up some pics when you
Get the chance !!!

 

[lordy]

So...
How many other folks will I see be trying
this technique ???

It's really fun and an awesome way to deal with
some ok material !!!

I made a Phoenix graft years ago. Basically the same idea except the deadwood wont be consumed ultimately by decay due to the wetness of the roots being intertwined in it. In a Phoenix graft (tanuki) he host becomes grown into by callus when the live stem is scraped of cambium and manually attached temporarily, and the callus attaches to the deadwood. As you mentioned, normally done with junipers of various sorts, but possible with many varieties of tree. I have also hollwed out logs and used them as planters for various landscape plants.

http://www.buffalobonsaisociety.com/PhoenixGraft.html