Lesson #11: ADVANCED ROCK PLANTING CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES WITH OLDER CHARACTER CUTTINGS

            Rock plantings are a facet of training bonsai by "ASSEMBLY."  The concept is very simple and although difficult,  it is ideal to teach serious beginning bonsai hobbyists.  That may seem to be overly ambitious and it may be for those with limited interest or long-term commitment.  But just as Fuku-Bonsai is fully committed to creating the finest bonsai materials that we can,  we want to create enough so that those hobbyists who have the interest, the skills, and the resources can take giant leaps into training advanced bonsai arrangements. 

            "ASSEMBLY" is putting together a bonsai arrangement made up of a few or many components.  It can be a simple plant on a single rock.  Or it could be several multiple-rock formations assembled to be a complex landscape with numerous trees all mounted on a large circular disc with mechanism that allow rotating it to be able to view the scenes from multiple viewpoints!

            "ASSEMBLY"  include two-tree plantings where two imperfect trees are grouped to create a more pleasing arrangement, but also multiple tree forest arrangements,  tray landscapes, and other forms of bonsai where the "sum of all parts is greater that the individual elements." 

             Some forms of bonsai require starting with as much age as possible and if the quality of the plants are high,  the amount of skill needed by the bonsai hobbyist is very low.  So there are many with the resources but without the interest or skill who purchase older trained bonsai.  But for the beginner who wants to master the entire bonsai art,  assembly offers an opportunity to start with younger plants and to sculpture or assemble more readily available rocks to create exceptional arrangements!

             It is said that a person achieves the status of "bonsai master" when he or she consistently can produce both high potential complex rock plantings and landscapes and multiple-tree forest landscapes.  For those who aspire to this goal,  this lesson provides the basics and I invite you to join the Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation and our study groups!

         Normally when we root cuttings,  we trim all leaves in half to reduce the nutrient draw.  This cutting was set two months ago and already has two new leaves on each of the two branches.  The base of the cutting is about 3/4" in diameter with nice taper from having been trained as part of a bonsai for several years. 

        I prefer to use these to anchor the plants rather than bonsai wire which do not rot and which will badly scar the tree.  

        Additional layers of body media, Nutrient Granules, sphagnum moss are dibbled into position.  The paper-covered wire keeps it firmly into position.  It is preferable to use pre-trained plants or "complex character cuttings" rather than young seedlings or cuttings which are weak and harder to establish.

        So the plant will actually be sitting on over a 1" thick "cushion" made up of sphagnum moss, Nutrient Granules and body media.  Because of the way that the root trail crevasse as formed, once the planting is completed, no one will guess that there is so much choice media to support the roots and the plants will very quickly become established and grow very vigorously.

         Fuku-Bonsais primary training technique is "massive reduction-building" that keeps extra branches on the bonsai.  From time to time, entire large sections are pruned off and these already have a lot of character as soon as rooted.  I estimate the section that was severed had been trained on the bonsai for 6-8 years. 

        When a training strategy includes frequent "apical replacement,"  the resulting bonsai may be smaller, but have much more character and interesting tapering complex branches to match exciting trunks.  But for this to be effective, there must be a strong company-wide discipline and long-term commitment to highest quality standards. A senior staffer will cut back plants hard when necessary to maintain that standard!

          Note that the rooted cutting is pulled down against the saddle and the securing paper covered thin wires went under the concrete bottom of the rock. Working with the rock in closer to a horizontal position makes the work very easy and fast.  Use enough wire ties so the rooted cutting is well secured and will not move or shake to allow the roots to quickly form and develop. 

         But if not done properly, you can't hide the fact that you did not do it properly.  Those who develop the skill will confidently lift up the planting.  Beginners think it is scary and spooky.  But study group members are expected to develop the needed skills and sending a photo of a bonsai lifted by the trunk is a standard requirement.  If it's shaky,  send a photo and we'll explain how to correct your technique.  It's not hard.

         The dibble and semi-funnel is used together to pack openings when the rock planting is standing upright.  The potting media is very coarse and unlike the traditional Japanese rock plantings, no mud is used.  Rock plantings seem difficult but the techniques have been developed and we have a very high success rate.