Water Elm Island

J

johng

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Creating bonsai compositions that reference swamp habitats are a challenge!

I have created several over the years and never really been all that successful.

Dreamed up a new idea to try...

Started with this...
IMG_3420.jpg


and this...
IMG_0286.JPG


Then got a little creative with this...
IMG_3418.jpg

after covering with flex seal this was the result...48" wide and 26" front to back at the widest spot.
IMG_3423.jpg

With a little water...holds about an inch of water...maybe a little more.
IMG_3445.jpg


Time to prepare the planting...removed some of the edge of the rootball...
IMG_0291.JPG

after some root and foliage pruning I ended up here...
IMG_0294.JPG


I opted for sphagnum moss as a way to contain the soil in the water tray...
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IMG_0296.JPG


And this is where I ended up for now...
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We are getting closer!!
 
Very creative idea. I really like the way this looks. The way the mound looks so clean up to where it touches the water makes me imagine a very quiet setting with only the sounds of bugs chirping.
 
Cool project :)

Is there any separation between the root mound and the standing water? I know these grow in wet areas, but I don't think I've seen a bonsai one with perpetually submerged roots like a BC might be . . .
 
Nybonsai12 said:
Very creative idea. I really like the way this looks. The way the mound looks so clean up to where it touches the water makes me imagine a very quiet setting with only the sounds of bugs chirping.
Click to expand...
I'd love something like this on my bench...but I'd probably put a rubber alligator in there somewhere to make the image complete! Right John?;)
 
Was the slate removed?

Sorce
 
I liked the stone more in it's original form, i think it's way to shiny and plastic-looking. But in time it will get more natural.
 
Was the flex seal simply sprayed on? Or did you work/spread it with brushes or tools?
 
Have you ever tried a slab in this fashion from plywood? Wondering how well the spray-on would protect it?
 
Arcto said:
Have you ever tried a slab in this fashion from plywood? Wondering how well the spray-on would protect it?
Click to expand...

I have not but I think it would work fine!
 
John, is the forest just sitting there? Or did you cement on some wires to hold it in place?
 
John my friend as we get older we are supposed to move to shohin or mame because of our age. But you John seem to be going in the opposite direction - bigger and bigger and heavier. Would you please describe you fork lift and how you use it with these large bonsai.

Oh by the way I really like it. Enjoy the heat.
 
Adair M said:
John, is the forest just sitting there? Or did you cement on some wires to hold it in place?
Click to expand...
Just sitting there...:) Had 50mph winds recently and it didn't move a lick.
 
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