Parasitic bonsai?

[Dorky_gearhead]

Im just wondering if somebody could graft a root of a bonsai to the root of a mature tree in the ground. The idea is the main tree would supply water and nutrients to the bonsai for accelerated growth.

Thinking about it, I would assume that this method would create a huge bulge in the area where the root graft took place, so that might be good... If my theory is correct.

Any ideas weather this would be beneficial? It was just a random thought I had last week and decided to share it.

Let me know what you think!!

Casey

 

[JoeH]

so set the potted bonsai next to the tree?

 

[Eric Group]

This is not feasible for many reasons.
1- it would take an insane amount of time, and be a logistical nightmare
2- if you did accomplish it, to graft a root of sufficient nutrient transport to cause any benefit, it would leave a huge ugly scar once removed...
3- it probably would not lead to any reasonable benefit for the amount of work involved.

If you want accelerated growth, you just don't put the Bonsai in the Bonsai pot. Seems to me you are thinking about this backwards... instead of trying to graft a Bonsai to the roots of a large tree, you plant the "Bonsai" in the ground and let it grow until it get the trunk size you want then cut it back from there. That is the only reasonable way to get where you want to go.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

A more productive approach would be to find a lower branch of a tree (with the property owners permition) and use the tree’s roots to energize the styling of the existing branch. Then take an air layer of the branch and you have a bonsai.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Water / nutrients are drawn into a branch based on foliar mass - not "pushed" up by a root. So it doesn't matter how big the root is, what matters is how much foliar mass is creating a demand. If you want a tree or bonsai to grow larger, you have to create more foliar mass - NOT attach it to larger roots.

 

[Eric Group]

Water / nutrients are drawn into a branch based on foliar mass - not "pushed" up by a root. So it doesn't matter how big the root is, what matters is how much foliar mass is creating a demand. If you want a tree or bonsai to grow larger, you have to create more foliar mass - NOT attach it to larger roots.

While I understand where you are coming from with this- perhaps there is some “chicken or the egg” to this. A tree with more roots grows more foliage...

So while I am Not in any way saying that the OP’s idea has validity, or is something people need to try- I can see where the idea came from I guess... just in a general sense- when growing stock from seed or cuttings, the ones that have the most/best roots/ larger pots to expand root growth “push” the most top growth the fastest. Sure there is causation both ways and more leaves require more roots... just saying..

 

[Ironbeaver]

As a hypothetical, what about "plugging in" a thin tree trunk into a thick branch? I would imagine that by the time the graft took until the separation cut healed, you' probably have been better off putting it in the ground.

 

[Ironbeaver]

Double post