Page 160 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Making a root- The styled tree

over-rock bonsai

Inspired by trees clasped firmly to rocks in fertile
forests and high mountainous areas, the root-
over-rock style features tentacles of thick, fleshy

roots growing down over a rock and into the soil.
This is a long-term project
that takes years to

develop, but creates
extraordinary results.
Choosing your material
Deciduous species such as Chinese elm
(shown here), maples, and hornbeams
are often seen as root-over-rock, but
Tree follows the
same direction the style also suits most conifers. Look
as the rock
for young trees that withstand bare
rooting: older ones may lose vigor.
Start your tree off in a deep
training pot, then transplant
every other year, each time
raising the tree a little farther
out of the soil and exposing
more of the roots on the rock.

∙Choose a rock with definite movement
or an interesting feature, and aim to
balance the character of the tree with
the character of the rock.
∙The size of the rock will not change so
choose one that initially appears too
large and out of balance with the tree
—after about ten years they should
start to match up.

Flat base will be under the
soil and stable in the pot