Root-over-rock

Schefflera Root-over-rock Workshop in Ann Arbor By Jerry Meislik In June 2006 I visited the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society to conduct a root-over-rock workshop.

Here, we will be examining the processes used to grow a tree over a rock (in the root-over-rock style) and create quite an effective bonsai. In this example, we will use Ficus Microcarpa over a Japanese Ibigawa Rock.

'Root-over-rock' styles of bonsai in are plants perched on a rock and the roots are growing over the rock and down into soil.

The root-over-rock style, or Sekijoju, is a style in which the roots of a tree (typically a fig tree) are wrapped around a rock. The rock is at the base of the trunk, with the roots exposed to varying degrees.

Juniper Root-Over-Rock - by Masahiko Kimura A Group Planting of Maples - by Hiroshi Takeyama Inspirational Images ...

Developing root-over-rock bonsai is a simple but time consuming technique. The roots of the bonsai must be grown in such a way that they grip the rock or stone securely for both the stability of the tree and the integrity of the piece.

IKADABUKI Raft style ISHISEKI root-over-rock style bonsai planted on a stone J JIN deadwood branches K ...

Pruning and wiring: Ficus are suitable for most styles of bonsai, but are especially suitable for styles which make use of their property of extensive rooting, such as air-root and root-over-rock styles.

A dramatic example is "root-over-rock". The image is of a stunted tree growing in the scarce soil of rock crevices, with its roots searching in the cracks for what little water and nutrients it can find.

Nick's topic was "Designing Bonsai for the Future," and during the course of his discussion, he provided valuable tips for collecting trees and for developing believable root-over-rock stylings.

Styling: Informal upright, slanting, clump, group and forest. I have never grown A. rubrum as a cascade or root-over-rock, since neither represents its "natural" growing habitat. This is not to say they cannot be grown that way.

But if the objective is to create stronger growth, it's preferable to train root-over-rock-into-pot. Eventually the roots will fill the pot and growth will slow. The plant will be rejuvenated if some roots are removed and new planting media used.

This type of bonsai gardening is intended to mimic the diversity of age and height that you would find in nature. In the root-over-rock style, the roots of the bonsai are wrapped around a rock at the base of the tree.

Literati/abstract (many trees, especially junipers and pines); Multiple trunks or multiple tree planting (especially ficus, ginkgo, elm, liquidamber, heavenly bamboo, maple, olive); Root-over-rock planting (especially, trident maple, some pines, ...

It is an excellent tree for beginners and pros alike. Virtually care free; they tolerate low light and humidity of a heated or air-conditioned house. The “banyan' style roots are commonly trained in a root-over-rock style.

To be absolutely certain that the rock is not going to split or fall apart, and to protect the vulnerable exposed root area, it would probably be wisest to give all root-over-rock trees adequate protection through the coldest months.

See also: Bonsai, Root, Plant, Style, Trunk