My attempt to build a waterfall root over rock setting.

[Beanwagon]

I don't have too much to show as of yet but today i started building a rock waterfall/fountain that will have two root over rock tree's grown on it.

I have yet to decide which species to grow but i was thinking chinese elm, ficus, swamp cypress or casuarina.

Thoughts?

Has anybody else done similar before?

I started by making the shape out of chicken wire. Then filling it with newspaper. I will then coat the structure with cement, add textures etc.

I have added an internal removable water reservoir (pvc pipe), which will have an internal pump circulating the water.

 

[just.wing.it]

Cool ideas! It'll be interesting to see what you end up with there...

 

[Beanwagon]

Cool ideas! It'll be interesting to see what you end up with there...

Im going to start doing the concrete tomorrow i can't wait. I feel like my biggest hurdle will be getting the flow of water/waterfall to look realistic. Either way i love experimenting with stuff like this.

 

[Paradox]

Junipers are very commonly used in rock plantings

 

[Beanwagon]

Junipers are very commonly used in rock plantings

I have tried with junipers in the past... sadly they died which is a shame because i really liked the setting. In hindsight i think i cut too much of the roots away in one go/rushed it. Im looking at this project as version 2.0

 

[BrianBay9]

Chinese elm or ficus would be good choices. Don't think cypress would really fit your concept. Don't know much about Casuarina. Another you might consider is Kingsville boxwood.

 

[Fonz]

Watching this thread, I really want to see what the result will be. Some good ideas you have there

 

[Beanwagon]

Starting to take shape.

 

[Ry2Tree2]

Keep it up! I will eagerly await your finished product.

 

[TyroTinker]

Are you there yet? Are you there yet?
I'm excited too by the way. Let us know when your done!!

 

[Beanwagon]

Finished for now. I just added another layer of cement, although this used up the last of the cement i had.

Once it dries i will take all the newspaper out and partially fill the inside of the mould with cement to add more strength.

 

[defra]

View attachment 158977

Lol the waterfall is smoking the pipe!

 

[Beanwagon]

Lol the waterfall is smoking the pipe!

Like father like son!

The top was too heavy. that was to hold it while the cement set

 

[RKatzin]

This is very intriguing and I can see what you are wanting to do. I applaud your efforts so far. Something I've given much thought myself.
You know anything about horses? You don't get yourself a nice fancy saddle and then find a horse to fit it because you like that saddle. That's backassward isn't it. No, you get your horse and then build or buy a saddle that fits your horse.
I know, you're going wtf, how does this relate? I think the reason version 1.0 failed is because you tried to fit your ponies into a saddle you made or bought. You have to first prepare the trees for the project. This could mean several years of preparation before you can build your ' saddle '. Get your ponies all rounded up and then build to suit. You want all sitting there in front of you and go, ok, I need a pocket this big for this one and I can set these two together if I trim here and there. The construction is pretty basic stuff. Getting the trees to play along, now there's the trick to it. Another bit of horse sense, when you come to a rocky stretch in your trail, drop the reins and let 'er pick 'er own way through. See what your trees want to do.

 

[_#1_]

Great project you got going on there! How heavy will this be when finished?

Maybe instead of adding more cement inside, use spray foam? The expanding kind for filling large cracks. They are light and dense as hell when fully cured. I've used them.

Flip that sucker up side down. Fill it up. Let it expand upward. Saw flat when cured. Done!

Will be much lighter, and whole structure is supported.

Just a thought...

 

[Beanwagon]

This is very intriguing and I can see what you are wanting to do. I applaud your efforts so far. Something I've given much thought myself.
You know anything about horses? You don't get yourself a nice fancy saddle and then find a horse to fit it because you like that saddle. That's backassward isn't it. No, you get your horse and then build or buy a saddle that fits your horse.
I know, you're going wtf, how does this relate? I think the reason version 1.0 failed is because you tried to fit your ponies into a saddle you made or bought. You have to first prepare the trees for the project. This could mean several years of preparation before you can build your ' saddle '. Get your ponies all rounded up and then build to suit. You want all sitting there in front of you and go, ok, I need a pocket this big for this one and I can set these two together if I trim here and there. The construction is pretty basic stuff. Getting the trees to play along, now there's the trick to it. Another bit of horse sense, when you come to a rocky stretch in your trail, drop the reins and let 'er pick 'er own way through. See what your trees want to do.

Nice analogy! I totally agree. I rushed it without doing any rootwork. I am still tossing up between using gicus or chinese elm.

This picture is an extreme case but im thinking something like this ontop of the waterfall with lots of aerial roots.

 

[Beanwagon]

Great project you got going on there! How heavy will this be when finished?

Maybe instead of adding more cement inside, use spray foam? The expanding kind for filling large cracks. They are light and dense as hell when fully cured. I've used them.

Flip that sucker up side down. Fill it up. Let it expand upward. Saw flat when cured. Done!

Will be much lighter, and whole structure is supported.

Just a thought...

I had this thought today actually. The thing is probably too heavy already...around 20 kgs/44 pounds

Verson 3.0 will take this into consideration

 

[Beanwagon]

I tested the waterfall out today. I am not sure if i am happy with it or not, i will tinker around with it abit.

 

[Beanwagon]

I still havent decided what type of tree/tree's to grow on this. Im still tossing up between fig and chinese elm.

This is a cutting of a ficus benjamina "too little" that i am considering using. I would potentially air layer this into two tree's and plant the smaller top half on the blue arrow and the larger base on the red arrow. Thoughts?





I am also thinking about changing the colour of the rock?

 

[Beanwagon]

Or i could use ficus microcarpa i have a "mother tree" which was my first ever bonsai purchased. I use this to make cuttings.

Below is one cutting that i have used for ror. They grow quickly.



So benjamina "too little" vs microcarpa?