Page 47 - BSAM 2018 Q2

The technique that we will see is inspired by these observations, we will try to achieve a balance that is as close to nature as possible, perhaps trying to shorten the time of formation that in nature can take hundreds of years.
Before starting work, it is necessary to get the material necessary for the realization of the Sekijoju tree. It is therefore necessary to choose a particularly interesting rock that must contrast with the future tree in terms of shape and color. Then, the species to be placed on the rock will be chosen; generally a deciduous species, because in nature, we encounter deciduous trees with roots clinging to the rock with greater frequency, instead of conifers. This is due to
the different environmental conditions in which they grow. The rocks at high altitude, the realm of coniferous trees, often tend to disintegrate and do not provide the support needed over time to anchor the tree. The rest of the material will be easy to find: two plastic pots, a sheet of polyethylene plastic, raffia, soil and sand.
The choice in our case, has fallen on a lava rock that comes from the Massif Central, an elevated region in the middle of southern France, consisting of mountains and plateaus, and a Buergerian maple or Trident maple, Acer buergerianum. These maples have the peculiarity for having a strong root system and a reduced leaf-size that changes its seasonal coloring in a particularly interesting way.
F4ourth phase:
Positioning in a bonsai pot, topping the leader tree, shaping the structure according to the whole, and styling the foliage.
April/May/June 2018 | BCI | 45