"Natural" Bonsai

Bill S. · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: "Natural" Bonsai

Hi Everyone. This is my first time here. I've long been interested in bonsai but have never grown one. However, at the edge of my garden and under a maple tree is a rock outcropping, and for three years, at least, an ash tree has been creating a bonsai of itself by growing out of a barely discernable crack in a huge rock. I have helped it along by pruning it each year and making sure it has enough water. Is there there anything else I can to to nurture this ash? Thanks you. --Bill S.

Dutch · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject: Re: "Natural" Bonsai

Can you post some pictures please.And welcome aboard.

Chris,

steve · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: "Natural" Bonsai

Collect it this spring and grow it in a pot? This may be something you wish to do or you might want to just keep it where it is and nuture it in situ (which wouldn't qualify as bonsai but still make a nice piece for the yard). A little food and water along with pruning is really all it will ever need as long as it stays healthy.

Stymie · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject: Re: "Natural" Bonsai

Although we try to make bonsai look like a natural tree, the very name bonsai means tray planting. Can it only be bonsai then if it's in a shallow container? This might even rule out cascading trees which are traditionally planted in very deep containers. Stir stir Laughing

steve · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject: Re: "Natural" Bonsai

Then how can a stone planting be bonsai unless the stone is a tray? Maybe they were all trays 2000 years ago and only became "pots" recently.