Hold On - Don't Throw Those Roots Away

Thomas_J.

This isn't anything new to those who have been doing bonsai for a while, but for those of you that are somewhat new, here's an example of how to make a nice little mame or shohin bonsai from an old discarded root cut off at repotting. Of course the thicker the root the better.

This one took about six years for the canopy to develop. I wasn't in any hurry so I planted it right into a very small container and just let time do its thing. For that I got a nice little mame with a fine structured branch system for the canopy, with everything in proportion as to branches and trunk.

At your next repotting, see if this is something that might work out for you.
This root is from a chinese elm.

Attached Images

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Thomas J.

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MapleJim

I have never tried this. Can you supply a little more detail? Do you just plant the root and let a little of it surface?

BunjinEnt

Does this work for most material? Any special notes? Water/Sun/Soil/Ferts and Chems?

Thanks for posting.

-Wm

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ficusfanatic

i just planted some almost pencil sized roots from a chinese elm. just waiting now. how long does it usually take for leaves to form. it's been a few weeks now. i have them in a 1 gal terrarium for humidity. i've been starting all my cuttings this way with great success. crossing my fingers....

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irene_b

Works like a charm on elms of all kinds...
Was ready to brain the hubby for dumping a grow box full of the roots from my seiju elms.....He is not out of danger.. Yet...
Irene

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clrosner

Chinese elm certainly do work... I just placed the root in a small pot in regular Bonsai soil (if there is such a thing as regulat Bonsai Soil). I left about a half inch of the root above the soil level.

The attached picture was taken in August of last year. The trunk measures 5/8th of an inch above the Nabari, it is five inches tall and 7 inches wide.

Attached Images

CHINESE ELM 01 070811 a.jpg (57.0 KB, 63 views)

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october

Hello Thomas...Elm roots do make geat material for mame. I posted a thread following the 2 year progression of mine a few months back. Here is the link if anyones interested.


http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/f15/mam...ears-27364.html

Thomas_J.

Nothing special really to do with these except to make sure you use the smallest size soil you can get. Remember they are mame size. Now if you plan on allowing them to get a little bit bigger first and then come back and do a chop, then regular bonsai siol will do.

This is what mine more or less looked like when I first started out, only in a bit bigger pot, but not much bigger.

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Thomas J.

bonsaial1

Here is one just sprouting. I have 24 up and coming. I use them for demo stock and raffle trees.

One a couple years back..

Peace out, Al

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