How to Attach an Elm to a Rock? Detailed Guide to Making a Root-over-Rock Bonsai

  During the growing season of an elm bonsai, many new shoots tend to emerge, and even quite a few leggy shoots appear, so we need to prune in good time to prevent the new growth from ruining the bonsai's original attractive shape. But it often takes about 5 years to go from a young elm to a formed bonsai tree. Besides using pruning to create and refine its shape, we can also give the elm a root-over-rock design, thereby creating a root-over-rock elm bonsai. But how do you attach an elm to a rock?

  To create a fine elm bonsai, the material is usually chosen based on the tree's form and vigor to determine what style of shape it is suited to. Common styles include the cascade style, the double-trunk style and the semi-cascade style. When making a root-over-rock elm bonsai, the elm generally needs to be grown out freely for the first 3 years, mainly so that the elm's root system can wrap around, cover and grip the rock, and even work its way into the crevices of the stone. Today, the editor will share with you the method for making a root-over-rock elm bonsai.

  First, prepare in advance all the materials and tools that may be needed for making a root-over-rock elm bonsai, including a pot, soil, a rock and the elm. But to secure the rock inside the pot and then make the root-over-rock bonsai, we generally choose a pot with multiple holes in the bottom, then lay a layer of wire mesh in the bottom of the pot, and thread metal wire through the small holes in the pot bottom, including through the wire mesh.

  Next, the work we need to do is to attach the elm to the rock, choosing a suitable style according to the design requirements. Then, using metal wire and tying wire, bind and secure the elm and the rock together. Then pour a layer of granular substrate into the pot and place the previously bound elm and rock together into the pot. Use the metal wire from the pot to twist and bind the rock and elm, securing them in the pot. Finally, fill the pot with potting soil.

  To attach an elm to a rock, metal wire, tying wire and similar tools are generally used to bind it so it is roughly fixed in shape. Then, on the outer layer of the bonsai, use adhesive plaster to wrap the elm's root system and the rock tightly and firmly. Usually by early autumn, we can remove the adhesive plaster binding and wrapping the roots and rock, and at the same time prune the branches as opportunity allows, then grow it out freely. But during the growing-out period, the watering of the bonsai must be done well to avoid poor growth in the elm due to lack of water.

  Watering a root-over-rock elm bonsai generally follows the practice of "water when dry, dry out between waterings," that is, water thoroughly as soon as the potting soil dries out. However, because summer temperatures are relatively high, generally reaching above 30°C, not only does the elm consume a relatively large amount of water, but also, due to the high temperature and hot weather, the evaporation of water is very great, so besides watering, you also need to spray the bonsai with water frequently to cool it and keep it moist. But when the summer temperature exceeds 30°C, watering twice a day, morning and evening, should be maintained; when the autumn temperature is below 20°C, one thorough watering at around 4 p.m. is enough; and when the winter temperature is below 10°C, watering should be chosen for around noon when the temperature is relatively higher, and the watering frequency must also be strictly controlled.