Cement slabs

Dale Cochoy

Chris,
I should mention, the two slabs shown in my third pic above had the molds made from imported Japanese slabs made of a colored acrylic of some type. VERY realistic. The largest slab is laying on a towel, but smaller slab is laying on the silicone mold for the bigger slab. Wisjh I had better old pics.
Alsohard to tell in photos, the mountains both have a water area as well as planting areas.
Dale

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If you want to be Different....
You have to DO something Different!
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Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again...
____________________________________________
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

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patmac

I've wanted to try making some crescent or scoop pots using the ciment fondu that Su Chin Ee talks about in her book "Creating Bonsai landscapes".
But I can't find the Lafarge Ciment Fondu anywhere locally. I did find another product called hydraulic cement by Unitex that I think might work. But I'd rather stick with something that has been proven to work. Any input anyone could share would be very appreciated.

I like the small scoop Dale! I have a Chinese Elm that needs a home just like that.

Patrick

ChrisM

back of pat, i beat ya to the compliment on the small scoop!!! LOL!!!

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

ChrisM

funny pat, i just pm'd dale because i have a chinese elm semi cascade that needs me to build IT a home like that too.

chris

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

zenwarrior

This is a great thread. I did'nt realize you could make stuff from cement and hardware cloth. Please continue to show examples and provide links to other known resourses if you've got any! Thanks guys!

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Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.

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zenwarrior

A question about slabs.... If one were to use a loose bonsai soil mix on a slab planting, what prevents the soil from spilling over the side when watering? Most of the time I see moss applied which I assume can help, but then do you keep the moss on year around on slab plantings? If so, how do you keep the moss alive if the trees require lots of sun? So many questions....


Edited this post because I found an answer. Also, I hope this is not considered "hijacking a thread"! Anyway, the info is here for anyone who may have asked the question.

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=10600

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Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.

-Morihei Ueshiba

Joanie

The books seem to say that you use the muck mix to form a lip around the planting. Eventually, the roots hold the entire planting in place. You can't really rely on the moss.

Joanie

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Dale Cochoy

Chris,
I'll answer your PM here OK,
I used 1/8" sq. hardware cloth to form the shape of the scoop. You could use 1/4" also.
I then got a bag of auto body repair fiberglass fabric. You can get at lots of stores or paint shops, etc.
Cut the material in strips about 1" wide and long, like 12" or so. You soak the fabric in some of the ciment fondue mix and aply just like paper mache. JUST LIKE IT. After you get it covered then you put coats of the ciment fordue mix on with a paint brush. I think I used like 6 or so coats. One each night, until I liked how it looked.
Color the ciment Fondue with the chocolate ( or any color) mortar cooloring powder you can get at stone shops, mortar dealers, etc. Use lots, make it dark.
I also used lots of sandblast sand in the mix to give a nice rough appearance, otherwise its kinda smooth. You CAN drill it later for holes but using straws through it up front is easier. It's hard stuff.
Mountains made the same way, except I stapled material on a board. After top was done I pulled up staples and coated edges and underneath.
Dale

__________________
________________________________
If you want to be Different....
You have to DO something Different!
__________________________________________

Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again...
____________________________________________
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

ethanopia

For anyone in the area, the Columbus Bonsai Society will have a workshop building slabs like these on January 15th. Then in the early spring we have a workshop to plant them with Maple forest planting. Fun Fun...