Root over Rock-How to do it?

Svante

I guess there are miles written about it....but I'm a new member and tried to lurk some threads....but not much found....
-Experts, give me some practical advice!

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Graydon

Plant + rock + time = root over rock.

Seriously, find a good rock - really study them well. The rock of your choice should help to evoke the feelings of your particular planting style. Example - a water smoothed rock may work well with a ficus where as a rough and jagged rock may work well with a more alpine planting.

May not be the best time of the year to start this based on the end of the growing season. Perhaps plan for the spring.

You will need a deeper nursery type pot (for some soil, height of rock and a little more), a healthy tree (or several to choose from), some soil (for your particular type plant) some sphagnum moss soaked in water, raffia (or something to wrap the roots - I use raffia but some people use a cling type wrap) and of course your tools. If you have a helper it is easier - if not no big deal.

Un pot the tree and carefully work out the roots. What you are looking for are some longer roots that can reach over the rock and hang a little below. Try to keep as much of the roots as you can - this is the most tedious part. If there is a taproot now is the time to chop it off as best as you can (cut paste up to you). You want to spread the roots and see if you can get a convincing 'clasp' on the rock. Placement is critical. Do it well and in the future it looks natural. Do it bad and you won't want to show anyone.

Once you have your position (this is where a helper comes in) you need to start packing sphagnum moss carefully around the roots from the top. Be careful to keep the position of the tree as you do this. Pack the moss all the way to the bottom. You can use a good amount of moss - this is what the roots will grow in.

Now it's time to apply the raffia (or cling wrap). I use raffia as it doesn't stop the moisture form being absorbed - cling wrap does. Round and round and round however you can. The idea is to put some pressure on the moss so the roots maintain contact with the rock. No need to be pretty - just thorough. Mind any roots that hang below - keep them free.

Now is time to pot. Standard soil in the bottom. Ease the lower roots in to the pot and backfill, working soil in those roots and under rock. Now backfill all around the rock/moss and up to just below the moss top. Water well.

Keep standard wetness - perhaps a little less as the moss holds quite a bit of water. No fertilizer for a few weeks.

How long does it stay bound? Depends on species.

Hope this helps - good luck.

PS - just noticed you are in Sweden - cool. I am second generation American, my grandfather immigrated to Minnesota from Sweden.

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3069James

here's a good sight http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATRootoverrock.htm