training box possitioning

Urbansai

Hi, i've been looking over some pictures on the web of trees in training boxes, and i've noticed that several of them have been planted to one of the extreme sides of the growing box. since it's in training, and possition in pot probably isn't an aesthetic decision, i'm wondering how this helps the tree. I guess it's an attemt to direct the root growth on one side? Anyone done this/have thoughts about the results?
Here's a primative diagram in case i haven't explained myself well...
(tree represented by the "0's".
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| | \
| | |
|00 | |
|00 | |
|_______________| |
\_______________\|


Hope that explains my question...
_Urb_

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Jay

Hi Urb,
Happen to be at a meeting last night where the same question was brought up. It was pointed out that this tree placement is not good! It prevents the tree from growing roots on the side that is restricted by the box walls. Perhaps the trees you viewed were not as close to the edge as you think or the growing box was not big enough to allow the tree to sit closer to the middle of the box. The idea is to develop roots all around the tree! Hey...I learned something!!!

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

TreeBay

You might have been looking at photos of collected California Juniper. They tend to grow in groups of 3 or so and the base is often a twisting fan



Sometimes the roots don't begin right away and a useful planting angle necessitates that you tip the tree quite a bit. Then the it appears that the tree is almost smashed up against one side of the box, when in fact, the root system is almost entirely at the other side.

That's the only reason I can think for this type of placement.

Regards,

Matt

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Urbansai

Thanks Jay, i kind of thought it would not be good to do that, but i've seen so many pictures where people...much more experienced than I... do it, seemingly on purpose. Just wondering if I was out of the loop on some growing technique.
_Urb_

denny

i`ve had advice to place a saucer under the roots when traing a tree in order to make it easier to place the tree in a shallow pot.i dont see why it wouldnt be ok to keep the roots on one side to make it easier to place the tree on one side of the pot,which is often done.

__________________
Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

Jay

Denny, it was explained to me that the roots on any given side of a tree are more directly involved in the growth of the branches on that side of the tree. Therefore...no roots....poor branches. In addition the base of the tree looks best and we strive for the even distribution of the roots around the trunk.
If we place a tree in a corner or at the side of a container it will not produce roots on that side.....This will lead to a poor divelopment of the trunk and of the branches above......

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing