Root on rock or rock planting question

[Poink88]

On root on rock and rock plantings, how do you maintain the root system and replace soil?

With root over rock it is easy but how can it be done on plants where you cannot (or shouldn't) separate the tree from the rock and the roots are literally inside the rock crevices?

Thank you.

 

[GrimLore]

When I look at ROR I think Tanuki where the root system is mostly in the substrate - If I see it correct the ROR is trained underground and slowly raised up making roots exposed but many remain underneath... I know they are not even close but that is the best way for me to wrap my head around it

 

[Poink88]

When I look at ROR I think Tanuki where the root system is mostly in the substrate - If I see it correct the ROR is trained underground and slowly raised up making roots exposed but many remain underneath... I know they are not even close but that is the best way for me to wrap my head around it

That is the root over rock which is totally different (what I referred to above as "easy") since the roots are in the pot. My question is for those whose roots are in rock crevices (may or may not have a pot underneath the rock).

 

[GrimLore]

Sorry I misunderstood but in and old thread there was a 3 equal part recipe of sphagnum moss, peat, and non drying potter's clay. The same stuff a lot of people use for slab projects. I avoid those until I have an established auto-watering system. If I recall they dress that with moss for water retention. Pretty certain it was John G that answered that one for me. Also I think we discussed wiring the plants to the rock using something like cement or epoxy to attach the wires.

Found it - http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthr...ay-in-a-muck-mix&highlight=soil+rock+planting

 

[cascade]

On root on rock and rock plantings, how do you maintain the root system and replace soil?

With root over rock it is easy but how can it be done on plants where you cannot (or shouldn't) separate the tree from the rock and the roots are literally inside the rock crevices?

Thank you.

You transplant as any other tree. The roots in the crevasses need constant attention. They need to be either split or cut off when getting too big. The rock itself might need to be made taller too, once the tree starts outgrowing it. Or you change the style and have a taller tree than rock. Everything mentioned in my post has been applied to this tree:

 

[drew33998]

The Rock

You transplant as any other tree. The roots in the crevasses need constant attention. They need to be either split or cut off when getting too big. The rock itself might need to be made taller too, once the tree starts outgrowing it. Or you change the style and have a taller tree than rock. Everything mentioned in my post has been applied to this tree:

View attachment 40063

A have question pertaining to this subject. Where does one find such rocks? Landscaping and or flagstone type dealers?

 

[cascade]

A have question pertaining to this subject. Where does one find such rocks? Landscaping and or flagstone type dealers?

In a river.

Best,
Dorothy

 

[drew33998]

In a river.

Best,
Dorothy

We only have mud in our rivers/lakes/estuaries/creeks. Out of luck there. Can't really go to the nearest mountain or foothills for that matter. There is a flagstone place nearby that I will try.

 

[Poink88]

Thanks for the responses and much appreciated but none answered the actual question yet.

how do you maintain the root system and replace soil...where... the roots are literally inside the rock crevices?

 

[GrimLore]

Thanks for the responses and much appreciated but none answered the actual question yet.

There is no soil, you strap it to the rock and cover the root you want with that clay mixture. I would think maintaining it would be trimming roots that grow out of it and/or replacing or adding the mixture. I think the real maintenance will be to maintain moisture so they use moss covering...

 

[Poink88]

Again...that is not the type I am asking/talking about. I've seen some planted in the rock crevices. No pot involved.

I am not talking about a slab either...more like what Dorothy have shown...a vertical rock, but with crevices and the plants is confined there...no roots going down into a pot. I hope that makes it a bit clearer.

Thanks for trying anyway.

 

[GrimLore]

That is what John G does with his - And I am pretty certain Dorothy did similar on hers. I understand the plant is in or on the rock not the pot. John G packs that mix onto the root to keep it confined to the rock and hold moisture... lol - this is hard to explain, sorry

 

[Poink88]

That is what John G does with his - And I am pretty certain Dorothy did similar on hers. I understand the plant is in or on the rock not the pot. John G packs that mix onto the root to keep it confined to the rock and hold moisture... lol - this is hard to explain, sorry

Okay one last time (promise) LOL

On Dorothy's, the tree is on the rock BUT the roots are in the pot.

On link you provided w/ Johng's responses, 2 of the posted pics are on rock slab and rock (which I repeat is not what I am asking about).

The Shohin is on the rock and very close...but I am not sure if the roots are IN a crevice.

The main concern/question is maintenance of soil and roots IN the rock crevice. Thank you.

 

[johng]

Okay one last time (promise) LOL

On Dorothy's, the tree is on the rock BUT the roots are in the pot.

On link you provided w/ Johng's responses, 2 of the posted pics are on rock slab and rock (which I repeat is not what I am asking about).

The Shohin is on the rock and very close...but I am not sure if the roots are IN a crevice.

The main concern/question is maintenance of soil and roots IN the rock crevice. Thank you.

I think Grim has been trying to answer your question as I read it... I think one of the problems is the term ROR....does it mean Root over Rock (Dorothy's example where the roots travel down a rock and into a typical bonsai container...or Root on Rock which is where the plant is completely contained with a pocket of the rock...I think this is what you are referring to...

To your question... It is like repotting a bonsai but it is done from the surface instead of underneath. Over time the roots completely fill the muck(used as a substrate) and often daily watering causes erosion, thus leading to the need to refresh the muck. I typically use a chop stick and pruners to remove the surface of the muck and any roots in that part. Then I replenish with new muck and remoss the entire surface....

Although I will often, as needed, touch up erosion and replace moss on my rock planting, I have typically waited for 5 or more years to do a full refreshment of the muck.

Slab plantings can also be done if this manner... but it's a little easier if you can remove the planting from the slab.

I hope that helps...Here is a video I did a couple years ago talking about "repotting a rock planting"
[video=youtube;t1X6TtarOrE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1X6TtarOrE[/video]

 

[Poink88]

Thanks John. That sure helps.