Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) Root Over Rock Progression

[theone420]

Well I am doing the "Winter Games" contest for fun and decided to start a thread for one of my entries.

Cape Honeysuckle I got at a Local Lowes for $7.98


I put it over a piece of white quartz I had lying in the yard. I used garden tape to tie the roots around the rock in 2 spots. It also spit out a batch of flowers at the same time.

 

[theone420]

Roots went crazy with the new growth so I had to reduce the upper roots some but left 90% of the roots untouched.

Close up of the rock with some more of the new roots removed

since it was an easy slip pot and a little fresh soil added around the corners I decided to put it in a pot with some moss and bits. I like her

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Nice, I like the flowers, and that it blooms while in a pot.

I'm not a big fan of the stark, brilliant white stone. I would prefer a more subdued stone, that had features that would lend a sense of scale to the image. Unfortunately it is very difficult to switch out the stone for a different model and have it look natural. So keep it, don't try to switch it out. I would try to get the roots to cover more of the stone. Break up the whiteness. Maybe plant the tree a little deeper. Maybe use a ground cover or moss that would hide more parts of the stone.

That's my opinion, my sense of taste, don't give my thoughts any weight beyond one man's opinion. I'm not qualified to be a ''bonsai judge'', so follow your muse. I'm just thinking out loud.

You get high marks from me, for the horticulture. You've grown it well. Roots and trunk are thickening. Nicely done. These won't bloom unless you give them enough sun, water and care, and you have bloomed it. Well done.

 

[theone420]

Thank you @Leo in N E Illinois for the criticism I can take it, and after exposing more of the rock I see it is WHITE and agree with you on that. And I was thinking some sort of moss or dirt would help too. It needs more patina for sure. For now I am stuck with it, Cant make any changes before the end of the winter games anyways.

She does flower well, it has thrown out several since it was planted over the rock. but none since the top branch was severed and almost lost(still iffy). It has been growing well again and hopefully she will give me some flowers again before the end of May.