luigonz
Senior Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO (Zone 6)

schefflera root over ROCK

[img]https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i9XEkrvkzPk/TFC5TcmCoZI/AAAAAAAAA6c/r05az4ykyk8/s1600/shefflera1.JPG[/img]

Here is the tree in a soil mix of mostly peatlite and coarse builder's sand.

[img]https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i9XEkrvkzPk/TFC8SO_j9TI/AAAAAAAAA7M/B0vzUgNi_Xk/s1600/shef+2.JPG[/img]

the rock I chose for this plant.
not sure if it is too large.

[img]https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i9XEkrvkzPk/TFC5UAJyUDI/AAAAAAAAA6s/P13K-HoAnks/s1600/shef+3.JPG[/img]

the final product. I plan on keeping it in this pot for about 6 months.
the new potting medium is 2 parts shale to 1 part potting soil, 1 part coarse builder's sand.

I'm not sure if I should cut it back now or wait until it recovers a bit. perhaps 3 weeks?
I plan on cutting the right branch to the first node.

User avatar
Gnome
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5122
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

luigonz,

I don't think the rock is too large at all, I'm sure the tree will 'grow into it' I would wait to make any major pruning cuts, ore even defoliation, until after it has firmly grasped the rock. My thinking is that it needs the top growth in order to fuel the growth needed below.

BTW there are at least two other threads on Scheffleras being grown on rocks. If you use the search feature they should not be too difficult to locate.

Norm

luigonz
Senior Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO (Zone 6)

ahh thanks Norm!

Yes those two threads inspired me to make my little Scheff into a ROR.

I will wait for the roots to take hold. I was surprised at how little the roots had grow since the last re-potting.

luigonz
Senior Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO (Zone 6)

[img]https://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5854/dsc02901h.jpg[/img]

[img]https://img69.imageshack.us/img69/6181/dsc02903dk.jpg[/img]
a little trunk forming at the bottom!

just a small update of the trees progression, I plan on cutting the right branch and setting it into a cup of water and root hormone when the tree has gained a grasp on the rock.

I was wondering on a suggested fertilizing regimine for this tree.
I read on bonsaihunk's website, he used miracid or liquid fertilizer at 1/2 potency applied every forthnight during active growing. then I read perhaps using 1/4 of potency every day.

any suggestions would be welcomed.

-al

luigonz
Senior Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO (Zone 6)

an update.
I added some sphagnum moss and got on more aerial root.
plus some back budding on the main trunk! I think I will do the chop next spring!

[img]https://img638.imageshack.us/img638/6434/dsc02960b.jpg[/img]

[img]https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5393/dsc02959qh.jpg[/img]

[img]https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/439/dsc02958kf.jpg[/img]

[img]https://img806.imageshack.us/img806/7008/dsc02957.jpg[/img]

tomc
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 2661
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:52 am
Location: SE-OH USA Zone 6-A

Disclaimer:
I bring with me to any styling grow out some (for me) pretty unshakable preconceptions. So, what I've got for internal baggage don't make me right.

My internal map tells me that a root-over-rock should be planted on top of, or near the top of, the rock being grown on.

So, were I you I might select a little bigger pot for that first marriage to let roots be able to cover more of their new stony accent. Perhaps some tied on moss, or even wrapped around the rock newspaper to encourage more roots covering the rock would speed the marriage of rock and tree?

Your umbrella-tree looks good and healthy. A sacrifice branch that may yet be airlared or propagated is good. A two-fer is always a good thing. :)

luigonz
Senior Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO (Zone 6)

I see what you're saying tomc, this wasn't the best choice for a pot. I plan on repotting this plant in a longer, deeper pot, and rotating the rock so that the roots can drape over the rock easier.

This clear plastic pot allowed light in and algae has formed a horrible smell!

I'm not sure whether I slow repot now( it is putting on alot of growth and I'm afraid of stunting it for this growing season) or repotting it in the winter(the root growth may be hampered)

tomc
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 2661
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:52 am
Location: SE-OH USA Zone 6-A

If there is a universal thing true of root over rock grow outs. Up (top) is where you turn the rock to. An' growing a tree out ROR, roots first, trunk and styling after, does work.

'Bout half of mine were hackberry; which could be chopped to their feet, an' half spruce which could not.

Kicks
Full Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Nevada

I lik your tree and seeing what you are doing makes me want to encourage a little more root growth out of my umbrella bonsai :)

luigonz
Senior Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:50 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO (Zone 6)

update!
some more roots exposed and I have a little sucker that I plan using to create another trunk or at least help thicken the base..
I plan on repotting in the spring of 2012!
I can see several roots at the base of the pot, since its clear.

also I tried to redesign the tree so that it spirals up ( in a way).
not sure if ill chop it all away yet, it seems to be happy!

the green branches took to the bending rather well; only about 3 or 4 months with the wire on.

[img]https://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5734/dsc03703xa.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6349/dsc03704v.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img594.imageshack.us/img594/2529/dsc03705b.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img708.imageshack.us/img708/6316/dsc03706ha.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img683.imageshack.us/img683/957/dsc03707bi.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img194.imageshack.us/img194/8376/dsc03708bx.jpg[/img]



Return to “Bonsai Photo Gallery”