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Early in my bonsai career, I learned that when you are on a tight budget, rock planting is much more economical than buying bonsai pots. My first sensei, the late Bob Kato, was a strong proponent of rock planting, and I picked up some pointers and enthusiasm from him. Using my mechanical and construction experience, I went beyond the usual methods of the time and found new and easier ways to accomplish the work.

Using a minimum of words, and 17 pictures, I'll try to illustrate the use of both hand and power tools to carve and hollow out lava rocks for use as bonsai planters.

THE TOOLS

In my power tool collection, the most versatile machine for working on rocks, both hard and soft is the Bosch rotohammer. It's intended use is for drilling and coring holes in concrete, so it is readily usable for drilling and carving rock.



Read the Complete Article

__________________
Learning the mechanics of bonsai is a matter of rote. Over and over again the processes are practiced until the hands and eyes know the moves.
Learning the art of bonsai may be more like water wearing away a stone, or climbing a mountain where the peak is always shrouded in fog and just out of reach.
Persist, and someday you may see the peak in sunshine. You may pick up the stone and it's a thing of beauty.

MP@BBB Studio

Mr. Mike,

Many thanks for this great article...I have followed your posts on the IBC forum about your rock plantings, and appreciate them much...This article is well constructed to show some of the many possibilities for using stone as a planting container for our trees...

Although I don't currently have any of my trees in rock containers, I certainly do have plans to do so...I have experimented with native limestone and an angle grinder in the past and made some decent pots for lime tolerant plants such as boxwoods...

I haven't found a source for the 'feather rock', but I am definately looking...Perhaps I will find some other type rock that would be suitable in the future, or maybe others will contribute to this thread with ideas on different types of rock they have had success with...

Regards
Behr

Hi Mike, Thanks for making such a wonderful article. I can't seem to stop looking at every rock i see as a potential bonsai pot!

All the best from The great barrier reef Australia

Hi Mike! Loved the article! Interesting and innovative! It might be a good idea to mention safety when using the tools to carve. Safety goggles at least, right? Flying rock chips versus eyeballs, not a good scenario.

How much damage does the rock do to the hatchet? Is this something to reserve an old, chipped up hatchet for?

Joanie

Hi Joanie
Regarding flying rock chips, I quote from the article:"Before beginning, I soaked the stone in water for several days. This way, when I start carving and drilling, the sharp dust won't fly all around."
However, you are correct. Eye protection is important.
Re. the hatchet. I buy high quality tools for this sort of work, but even so, they will get dull easily. A power grinder is necessary to keep an edge on the tool.

Mike

Mike

Don't these kinds of rock absorb water?

Is there no capillary action?

I use Tufa rock in a shallow tray and it can empty the tray of water in a couple of days! I don't need any drainage holes at all for the trees. http://www.tufa.bc.ca/tufa_history.htm

Jerry

Mike, These rotary hammer drills should be illegal.

Their just too much fun!!!

I am currently creating awesome granite containers for my trees. Much loved pots now lay abandoned around my garden. The colours we get are fantastic in the local streams. No pot compares to natures own containers.

Nice to know I am creating some work for an archeologist in 50,000 years!
I shall post some pics when the sun comes up in our part of the world

Happy growing mate!

Taipan, that's great that you're making good use of this machine. I've had lots of fun with mine over the years. Money well spent.
Show us some pix of your work.

Mike

i havent completely read the article yet. it looks really interesting so far. i'll comment again later, but i wanted to say thank you in advance.

jeff

Ahhh Mike, I only just started carving granite and my work is very amateurish. The trees are all new but I'm sure they'll look better in a few years.

It will take time to get to know the different rock structures associated with granite carving. The best looking rocks with loads of quarts and moss crack very easily. The more dense flatter rocks hold the containers brilliantly. I've worked a lot with sandstone carving but not for bonsai pots.

I have an amazing ammount of natural rock in my area, coral, lava, granite, marble, the last pic is of the next rock on my list, a river sedementary rock subject. My lower back is enjoying this rock today.... I really need a crane on the back of a 4WD to do this without any aches and pains.

Iv'e finally managed to locate some diamond core drills up to 200ml, 1 hours drive away so I'll pop down to Cairns this week sometime and pick a few up.
I am also looking at a Weka 500ml diamond core drill, to do larger rocks with multiple planting containers. I think you may have started something with me here Mike!

Happy drilling guys!

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