Boreal Forrest Idea

[WNC Bonsai]

The sedum should work as there are some really small ones to choose from as there are various grasses. But the saracenia will be a stretch. My saracenia get 2-3’ tall so if a larch in a bog is 30’ tall and you let the tallest hit 2’ in your forest then to stay in scale your saracenia needs to be about 1.6” tall although you can let it go a bit taller.

 

[Shogun610]

The sedum should work as there are some really small ones to choose from as there are various grasses. But the saracenia will be a stretch. My saracenia get 2-3’ tall so if a larch in a bog is 30’ tall and you let the tallest hit 2’ in your forest then to stay in scale your saracenia needs to be about 1.6” tall although you can let it go a bit taller.

Yeah now that you think of it they do have other carnivore plants there like Venus fly traps , jersey girls and morning dew that don’t get too tall.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Speaking of Miniaturizing annuals.
It’d be neat to see your idea documented... I’m interested!!!

 

[Shogun610]

Will update w the material I’m able to source.. the hard part will be finding a decently large somewhat affordable rectangular ceramic that isn’t a Tom Benda even though would love to have it. Thank you all for your engagement, it’s nice to have some validation with my crazy idea

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

I think mixed forests are super cool if executed well. Maybe it was mentioned, but it seems this would have to be quite large.
Do you have a size in mind?

Following along.

 

[Shogun610]

I think mixed forests are super cool if executed well. Maybe it was mentioned, but it seems this would have to be quite large.
Do you have a size in mind?

Following

Atleast 28” L * 14” W * 2” depth

 

[Shogun610]

as I’m wrapping up my day closing fiscal P3 meetings , I drew out a map of the plan. Along with a elevation drawing of the rock. Holding up the lace rock is rubber and wood to secure in pot, holes are drilled into the rock and pot.
Has anyone drilled extra holes in a forest pot before , and what is best lubricant to keep drill cold with a clean hole?
Also, debating if I want to change my alder idea to mountain ash , they border swamps(bogs) as well like alder. Unless I mix those.

 

[ShadyStump]

as I’m wrapping up my day closing fiscal P3 meetings , I drew out a map of the plan. Along with a elevation drawing of the rock. Holding up the lace rock is rubber and wood to secure in pot, holes are drilled into the rock and pot.
Has anyone drilled extra holes in a forest pot before , and what is best lubricant to keep drill cold with a clean hole?
Also, debating if I want to change my alder idea to mountain ash , they border swamps(bogs) as well like alder. Unless I mix those.

I'm partial to alder, but remember that they usually grow in clumps naturally, so that's something to consider in your decision.
Never drilled holes in pots before, so no clue. You could always just ask around the hardware store or call the local shop class teacher if you don't find an answer here.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Use these with the pot submerged in a pan of water. Do not let the bits run dry or they immediately burn up and go dull. Drill from the outside of the bottom of the pot (as in upside down). Keep the bits under water and guide, do not force.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Many forbs and grasses will dwarf in a small container, I would experiment with that first. There are dwarf varieties of many plants too, like dwarf rush and sedge, these both love water. My sarracenia is in a small pot with only bark and moss, it's stayed very small. For awhile I tried floating it in water, it lived but didn't thrive. Dwarf iris loves water as well.

 

[Shogun610]

Well I got all my trees today except for 2 collected larch I’m using , and spruce that I still need to find. Don’t have room currently in my car so I’m holding till next week.
2 American Beech
2 Yellow Birch
2 Alder
2 Red Maple
2 Larch seedlings
Still need : 2 larger specimen larch , 3 Spruce (white or black)
The Beech and Red Maple will be on the rocks, mirroring a higher elevation scenario seen in our forests here in PA especially near the two boreal forests. There is also alder and birch that border swamps as they tolerate heavy flooding. The spruce and larch will be in their own separate area closest to the big planting. Still on the lookout for a red maple I can turn into a cascade or semi cascade, maybe even a beech.
On my customer appreciation card I’m getting 3 free bog plants next time I’m there.
Coming along nicely , just gotta get remaining trees and start looking for a forest ceramic and lace rock.
going to look for a big piece of slate/rock too to stack as a possible alternative to buying lace rock.
There are so many other plants that would make great bonsai or forest plantings , and they’re all seedling grown / native species.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Cool project! Good luck.

 

[leatherback]

SOunds to me you would be best off discussing your project with a local potter and have a pot made to your needs.

Trick with keeping herbacious small is lack of nutrients and rootingspace, just like bonsai. That makes it also very susceptible to drying out. You might find that you are best off having these as accents and only incorporating them a few weeks before any display / picture moment.

 

[Shogun610]

Better concept art for the direction I want to go.

 

[ShadyStump]

Better concept art for the direction I want to go.

Looking good!
Speaking purely artistically, I'd squeeze one deciduous in with the conifers, and vis versa, just to break up the division some. Judging by the drawing alone it feels like there's a line right down the middle, conifers on one side, deciduous on the other. I'm aware the practical growing conditions may not allow for mixing them at all, but if you think it's manageable just enough to blur the line would help balance it out.

 

[Shogun610]

Il

Looking good!
Speaking purely artistically, I'd squeeze one deciduous in with the conifers, and vis versa, just to break up the division some. Judging by the drawing alone it feels like there's a line right down the middle, conifers on one side, deciduous on the other. I'm aware the practical growing conditions may not allow for mixing them at all, but if you think it's manageable just enough to blur the line would help balance it out.

just a sketch , it’s hard to draw a 3D concept with depth. I envisioned a subtle yet noticeable encroachment where the bog and the swamp border wetlands live

 

[ShadyStump]

I want to envokr

just a sketch , it’s hard to draw a 3D concept with depth. I envisioned a subtle yet noticeable encroachment where the big and the swamp border wetlands live

Fair. Just killing time at the end of a Friday mostly. LOL

 

[LindaPat]

I am charmed by the boreal forest idea.

 

[Shogun610]

Thanks, a dude I talk to at the native nursery has dwarf varieties of a few big plants he’s going to give me. Also, will have to share a photo… the bog accent plants pollinated each others pots. So mini sun dews and grasses started growing. I think a good lesson learned from that is , since they propagate so easily , making sure only small bog plants stay in the forest planter for scale, over time larger ones will be removed.

 

[Shogun610]

Here is what I picked up so far. The accents are what I was referring to , how easy they are to propagate.
Still need spruce and 2 collected larches. Either will collect a acer rubrub or develop a semi cascade one, and air layer top for straight forest tree.
That accent understory plants are last on the list , but for carnivore plants they sprout tree up easily, cranberry you can ground layer it, and moss spores are so vigorous. Sedum is so easy to propagate as well for stone plantings.