Forsythia root-over-rock

Cordon

This forsythia is a last surviving member of my first attempts at bonsai. It is basically three years in training. The last two years it spent bound to a rock in a pot, since i was unable to plant it out.

spring is rapidly approaching so I took this opportunity to uncover the roots and plant it in a pot. There are a few roots that aren't grasping the rock as closely as I'd like so I plan on strapping them down again until they the way I want them.

As for overall styling I plan to let the tree grow fairly freely for the next season and do a full styling next spring.

below are a few shots

Attached Images

	Forsythia2 1.JPG (45.7 KB, 139 views)
	Forsythia2 2.JPG (44.5 KB, 75 views)
	Forsythia2 3.JPG (45.9 KB, 81 views)

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tachigi

Hi Cordon,
I am almost positive you won't want to hear this. However I'm going to give you my 2 cents worth.

I am of the opinion that to thicken your roots up faster you will have to bury them again as expose roots won't thicken as fast. I would tighten down the roots again (as you indicated) using split shot and cotton kite twine this time to really get the roots in close to the rock. The twine will rot under the wrapping and save you from having to expose the roots to stop the root from girdling. Re wrap it with Keto (muck) and this time bind it with taffeta instead of grafting tape, raffia, or hemp. The Taffeta is soft and will not stretch as much forcing the roots to spread side ways which in turn will do two things. One, give you a more visually substantial looking root system by them having width instead of height. The second reason for the roots growing horizontal is that they will bind into the rock better as this is the only direction you are letting them grow.

As I said my two cents worth. You are on the right track for a nice root system. Good luck.

__________________
Tom

Shady Side Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
4MAAT

Cordon

Tom,

thanks for your your two cents. I had debated on leaving it buried or taking it out this year. Since it is now in a new pot I figure I will leave it there for this season and see where it goes. If the roots don't thicken the way I'd like them to I'll rebind and re-bury it next season.

at any rate, plenty of fertilizer, water and sun this year will get me somewhere. Forsythia are very fast growers and put out a lot of roots. It'll be due for repotting next season regardless.

Cord

Cordon

Well, the strength of roots over rock never cease to amaze. In the last year my little forsythia roots managed to penetrate the rock and break it into several pieces. After inspecting it I decided to remove the tree from the rock and simply plant it is a big pot to grow unchecked. Now I'm rethinking my furture design, which may require a new root system. That would require ground or airlayering. Has anyone ever tried simply girdling the trunk of a forsythia? In any case won't do anything until next season.

For future root over rock projects always make sure you use a hard rock, A big piece of pumice will not make it.

CScott

Cord,

Have you considered an exposed root style? I think it might look good with a forsythia and yours has the roots for it.

Carmen