Sources for stone for root over rock and deadwood?

[KennedyMarx]

I am looking for some rock for root over rock and some deadwood for a ficus in a epiphytic tanuki style. Any suggestions for where to look?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Usually down...

 

[KennedyMarx]

Usually down...

Ha, I know it should be obvious to walk through the woods and find a rock of piece of a broken branch, but I was thinking that there would be some kind of store where I could find something. I haven't found anything of a usable size outside. I tried a local pet store thinking they'd have some kind of wood for lizard tanks, but didn't see anything decent.

 

[Dav4]

Fish/aquarium stores will sometimes sell rocks of various types and shapes...might be worth a look.

...and there's always Ebay...

 

[gergwebber]

Try landscape supply or rock yards. They usually sell in bulk, but often have a lot of specialty stone. My uncle's yard carries hundreds of different stone types that he buys in bulk orders. It is best to just go there and look around at the left over stacks and pallets they have remaining from large orders.The great ROR type stones usually do not fit with the usual "wall/paver/veneer" types, so are often culled from the pallets or piles and set aside for special purposes/scrap piles. Usually we would not like people to pick from the pallets, or buy two or three rocks(from bulk stacks), so if you tell them you are a bonsai guy, start off by asking for bulk prices of 1/4 lava or washed sand, then inquire about individual stones.

 

[jk_lewis]

Problem is, you don't want just any old rock or stick. They need to have a shape to them that is compatible with the tree and the composition you have in mind.

If you didn't live in Indiana with it's lazy rivers and low topography, I'd suggest you walk along or wade in a rushing stream and look for odd, water-worn stones, or climb up to barren mountaintops and see what you can find in the line of twisted dead trees.

So maybe you want to schedule a vacation this summer to the Appalachians or the Rockies and do some hiking.

You're likely to strike out at landscape stores and pet shops.

 

[Dav4]

I got this at a specialty aquarium store for my cichlid tank...I think it's limestone, but not 100% sure. I've considered planting a trident seedling on it and see where it goes.

 

[fourteener]

Andy Smith sells driftwood on his website. Goldenarrowbonsai .com

 

[jkd2572]

eBay has both

 

[ml_work]

Rocks

I was at Brussels last month, they had many rocks of all size (first time they have had any). Most had some type of hole that a tree could be planted in. They are not listed in their catalog or web site, but I am sure if you call and tell them the size they will get you some pictures.

Hope this helps,
Michael

 

[A Random User]

I am looking for some rock for root over rock and some deadwood for a ficus in a epiphytic tanuki style. Any suggestions for where to look?

Seeing that you are working with ficus I think one
should take into account what type of rock would
be found in a tropical enviorment....

Limestone is a very common stone seeing that most
of the bedrock in such regions is comprised of it.
Especially down here in the Caribbean.

Lace Rock is something to check out, it is often used
in fish tanks for their swiss cheese character. Can be
ordered online very easily...

Another might be lava rock, seeing that a good majority
of the pacific is volcanic in nature.

There is a rock called "feather rock" which is extremely light
seeing that it is very porous. It is very easy to carve, can be
done mostly by just scraping with a tool... Also, one can easily
cut the bottom flat so that it may be stood upright, but you
must wear gloves when handling cause it is like glass. But very
affordable, and cheap to ship large pieces. Color is dark
grey / black, and would accent your tropical tree's color nicely.

Google these and you will be on your way.

As far as dead wood...
What is often done with ficus, is that one takes an old stump,
which can be any tree, softer wood the better for it will rot out
faster. You hollow out the top and actually plant your ficus in
it. As the tree grows it will send down roots inside of the stump
as well as over the outside of the stump. Eventually the stump will
disappear.

Hope some of this helps...

 

[Erndogy]

As far as dead wood...
What is often done with ficus, is that one takes an old stump,
which can be any tree, softer wood the better for it will rot out
faster. You hollow out the top and actually plant your ficus in
it. As the tree grows it will send down roots inside of the stump
as well as over the outside of the stump. Eventually the stump will
disappear.

Can you post an example of this please..

Thanks

Ernie

 

[catfish chapstick]

aquarium stores have great rocks as mentioned.

..but petrified wood is what I recommend if you can get it. better looking and lots of fine texture

 

[Dirty Nails]

I like this question about sourcing stones. I have spent the last few years looking all over for stones (rockyards, backyards, woods, major building excavation etc...) In all I have found 5 suitable stones and none of them looks like the stones diplayed with bonsai. I would think stones like limestone and lava would not stand up to long term pressure from roots. Granite may work but I haven't found it in interesting shapes. I just did 2 ROR with pieces of quartz type stones.