Banyan tree Bonsai with Rock #bonsai #rootoverrock #banyanbonsai

The root over rock style is a classic bonsai design . ROR technique is to create an aged appearance by placing the tree’s roots on top of rocks and stones, rather than burying them in soil There are many advantages to this type of planting such as being easier to maintain, creating a natural-looking display for your bonsai, and allowing you to enjoy your bonsai year round. Things to Consider When Creating a Root Over Rock Bonsai Choose the right tree for this style. The best trees for this technique are those with strong roots such as Ficus Longisland , Ficus Microcarpa tigerbark ,Ficus Rumphi , Pilkhan etc . Select a large rock or stones that will provide enough support for the roots of your bonsai. The rock you select should be big enough to support a sizable portion of your tree’s root mass, but not so large that it dwarfs the plant. The standard material for these types of plants are volcanic rocks, but many other stones can work as well such as slate and quartz. When choosing your stones make sure they are natural and not cut or polished since this will look artificial. You next need to decide on a container size for your bonsai. It is recommended that you use an oval pot with dimensions from 12 inches by 16 inches, all the way up to 20 inches by 24 inches depending on the type of tree you have chosen as well a the size of the rock. The pot should be about two thirds as deep as the width and have a drainage hole on the bottom to allow for proper water flow. Now that you have your pot and stones, it is time to plant your tree! How to Place the Roots in a Bonsai Pot Over Rock? First you need to select a tree with thick roots since it will be placed in the pot over rock. Next, take your container and place rocks at the bottom of it; this acts as an extra support for your bonsai when watering. Then take your tree and remove most of the soil from its roots, making sure to keep as much of the root mass intact as possible. Place the tree on top of the rocks in the pot and fill in around it with more stones until the roots are covered. You may need to trim some of the roots so they fit comfortably in the pot. Once you are done, water your tree and make sure to not overwater it; this is very important with root over rock bonsais since they tend to retain more moisture than other types of trees. If there is an excess amount of standing water then you need to remove some soil or rocks until only the roots are in the water. For maintenance, you should check your plant once or twice a week to make sure it is not over watered and if so then remove some soil until only the root mass remains moist; this can be done by hand or with tweezers. Depending on where you live, seasonal adjustments may need to be made. Root Over Rock Bonsai Care When it comes to caring for your root over rock bonsai, there are many things that can affect its health. Watering Watering is one of the most important aspects in any gardening routine and should be practiced regularly. There are different watering techniques you can use depending on how often you water your bonsai: Mist – once or twice a day in dry climates, especially when temperatures are over 35 degrees Celsius Fertilizer You should also fertilize your bonsai every other month using a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 or 12-12-12. A slow release fertilizer is ideal for this type of plant because it will release the nutrients gradually over time. Pruning and Trimming Since your root over rock bonsai is in a pot, it will need to be trimmed and pruned regularly to maintain its shape. Prune back the branches that are growing out of proportion or deadwood as needed. Lighting and Temperature Your tree should be placed in an area with plenty of natural light, but not in direct sunlight at least for a month What type of soil should I use for my root over rock bonsai? You can use any type of soil as long as it is well draining. A mixture of potting soil and sand is a good option.