Help with tying down a forest planting

[Lars Grimm]

Hi All,

I took my first stab at trying to build a forest planting using 7 JM seedlings (all ~1/4" diameter). I am using a rectangular shallow pot roughly 6" x 15" x 1" with three drainage holes in a row down the middle. I spent a bunch of time last night working on it but couldn't get the seedlings to stay in the correct position. They kept falling over and my attempts at wiring the roots in place ended up with a rat's nest because there were so many plants. Anyone have any practical tips?

Lars

 

[whfarro]

In DK books, Bonsai-techniques•styles•display ideas, there is a section on creating a forsest. Here is a screen shot of a page in that chapter. It details using a framework of chopstickes wired to the pot. The trees are placed in/on this framework and wired down in place. This might be a way to go in your situation.

 

[DougB]

You also can build a framework with your wire. First do the framework, grid, then attach wires to the grid where you expect your trees to be. Place a layer of soil in the pot, ensure the wires are upright. Begin placing your trees and wire, adjust wires on the grid, as you go. With a little practice after a hundred or so forest you will have no problems. And remember nothing symmetrical and the soil should be mounded with little hills and gullies.

Let us see how you make out.

 

[Lars Grimm]

Thanks all that is really helpful. I'll take another shot at it tonight.

 

[whfarro]

Good luck. Post some before, during and after pics.

 

[Cypress187]

Hi All,I took my first stab at trying to build a forest planting using 7 JM seedlings (all ~1/4" diameter). I am using a rectangular shallow pot roughly 6" x 15" x 1" with three drainage holes in a row down the middle. I spent a bunch of time last night working on it but couldn't get the seedlings to stay in the correct position. They kept falling over and my attempts at wiring the roots in place ended up with a rat's nest because there were so many plants. Anyone have any practical tips? Lars

I wired everything in (and to eachother), but it was messy. The example seems very good.

 

[lieuz]

@whfarro ok, you sir are a god send. I was thinking to myself how on earth am i going to tie these down. I couldn't find anything online showing how to more or less establish anchors.

 

[jkl2]

MUCK, MUCK, MUCK

 

[Lars Grimm]

It was totally dark outside when I finished last night so I couldn't take any pictures. But, I laid 3 galvanized nails right over the drainage holes and tied two parallel pieces of 5 mm wire along the long axis of the pot. This gave me a solid structure that looked like a ladder. I then used some 1 mm wire to tie each tree to the structure. It worked great. I'll take a picture of the finished product tonight.

 

[Lars Grimm]

I just posted images on the forest subforum:

http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/first-forest-planting.22184/

 

[whfarro]

I just posted images on the forest subforum:

http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/first-forest-planting.22184/

Saw that. Bill V has some nice cuttings each spring. Good luck. Keep that thread going so we can track its progress.

 

[Shrory]

In DK books, Bonsai-techniques•styles•display ideas, there is a section on creating a forsest. Here is a screen shot of a page in that chapter. It details using a framework of chopstickes wired to the pot. The trees are placed in/on this framework and wired down in place. This might be a way to go in your situation. View attachment 94970

Just came onto the site to look for the exact solution. Thank you so much