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Ficus salicaria, Willow Leaf fig in root-over-rock style
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Root-over-rock Ficus
Ficus are easy to develop into root-over-rock designs as they have aggressive roots that tolerate gradual exposture to air and the roots really do well growing over rocks. The photo is of a Ficus burkei ‘puberula’ cutting that was placed on the rock, roots wraped to keep them tight on the rock and then planted…
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Root-over-rock style
One of my favorite forms of bonsai is the root-over-rock design. It incorporates an attractive stone with nice texture and fissures and a bonsai tree growing over it. In this case it is a Ficus ‘Mystery’ that was planted on this rock about 15 years ago. The original plant was quite boring and frankly ugly…
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Ficus glumosa, uncommon bonsai
An uncommonly found Ficus species, Ficus glumosa is from Africa and has nice round, hairy leaves. It is in the grouping of rock-splitter figs. Those that seem to be found growing over and around rocks in the veldt. Since they seem to enjoy rock growing this seedling was placed over the rock to emulate a…
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A haircut
Developing a bonsai requires many steps. One critical step is allowing the bonsai in development to grow wildly. This allows the tree to gain strength and to form branches that will be used in its development. Periodically the overgrown tree will be trimmed back, given a haircut to bring the design back to a more…
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Root-over-rock design
One of the most popular designs is the root-over-rock design where a tree or trees is growing draped over a stone. In this example a Ficus ‘Mystery’ was placed on a rock about 9-10 years ago. It was a piece of a larger plant see http://www.bonsaihunk.us/info/BreakingUpIsEasyToDo.html This section was frankly quite ugly and I almost discarded it. Rather…