AusBonsai

I got this trident 12 months ago. I decided to try a root over rock with it. This will become it's progression thread. I plan to plant this tree with several other rocks in the pot to form a kind of rocky hill/outcrop. But for now it's back onto the bench for another 12 months. Lots of feed and water to come.
I will update this thread with more progressions as they come although probably not for another 12 months

Josh

Thanks Josh this was really informative, great tree you are working with too.

Good one Josh! I like where it’s going…

I appreciate how you documented your progression with photos and all and that goes to all the contributors here @ ausbonsai who does the same as well
I’ve been meaning to do the same but I’m just not good in documenting my projects… maybe one of these days.

Cheers,
Carlos

Nice progression. For me I don't think this tree needs the rock and would make a nice little informal upright on its own!

Maybe it's due to the way the nebari developed that pushes Josh to come up with ROR only he can answer of course

Yes.

I too wonder about the rock.

It is going to end up as a tree perched right on the tip of a rock?
Haven't seen too many of these naturally growing...

Just being constructive - I would think that a more accommodating rock might assist.

Certainly looks like a nice tree!

loyskirineba wrote:Maybe it's due to the way the nebari developed that pushes Josh to come up with ROR only he can answer of course

Boics wrote:Yes.

I too wonder about the rock.

It is going to end up as a tree perched right on the tip of a rock?
Haven't seen too many of these naturally growing...

Just being constructive - I would think that a more accommodating rock might assist.

Certainly looks like a nice tree!

Isitangus wrote:Nice progression. For me I don't think this tree needs the rock and would make a nice little informal upright on its own!

Interesting comments guys When I pulled this tree out of the pot my first thought was "this is actually a strong tree in it's own right, maybe it doesn't need the rock". Then when I cleaned the soil away I thought " what was I thinking planting it on top of the rock".
I actually have 3 other rocks that I was going to create a rocky hill with so it wouldn't actually be sitting on top of the rock in it's final placing but looking at it now I think it would be better without the rock.
I decided to post pictures with it as ROR and not mention my thoughts to see what reaction/comments I got. Interestingly you guys picked my thoughts on this tree. Originally the tree had a fairly large hollow area under the trunk which created an issue with the nebari. But 12 months on and way better knowledge of trindents and developing nebari (thanks Shibui) I think this tree will come off the rock (if I can get it off, it was well and truly stuck) and develop it as a tree in it's own right.
Thanks for the comments, you guys were spot on.

Josh

Josh you only have two people to please, your tree and yourself. Have fun, and it looks great, I am about to experiment with a root over rock, but with a young maple. I mean very young.

Cheers

Pat.

So after another season of growing in a deep pot this tree put on some serious root growth. I decided to keep it on the rock. I'm happy with where it's at for the moment. Now to work on the branching.
Josh

Hi Josh, if you are going to stick with the ROR I would plant it in a deep pot again and progressively reveal the roots one or two cm per year. This will cause the roots to thicken more quickly so that in a few years you get a better result. As it is, the newer roots look like they have been glued onto the end of the older, thicker roots.