Radial Roots

[Aaron S.]

I'm still learning the techniques of the art of bonsai. Between here, YouTube and the rest of the net, I can sometimes get the rough idea. So I'm wondering here on how is it possible to grow surface roots to this level of purrfection other than photoshop.

I'm not seeing any signs of wounds from removing dead roots or anything that would happen during the years taken to make roots like this.

 

[NaoTK]

Well, this picture is of an adenium in Thailand. They grow like weeds there and you can work the roots dozens of times a year.
You chop one fat root and it grows two smaller roots. Repeat over and over to create ramification. The chops heal and smooth and disappear over time.

For traditional bonsai species look up the Ebihara board technique on this forum and elsewhere.

 

[Aaron S.]

Well, this picture is of an adenium in Thailand. They grow like weeds there and you can work the roots dozens of times a year.
You chop one fat root and it grows two smaller roots. Repeat over and over to create ramification. The chops heal and smooth and disappear over time.

For traditional bonsai species look up the Ebihara board technique on this forum and elsewhere.

Ok thank you

 

[BillsBayou]

Another technique for roots this perfect is to bundle cuttings together. Greg Wentzel documented doing this with dawn redwoods.

 

[SeanS]

Some methods include:

• Start with an air layer/ground layer
• Attach the tree to a board/tile (deciduous trees)
• Root grafts each time you repot

 

[Shibui]

All good and appropriate methods to make and improve nebari.
I've tried them all but mostly now use root pruning and/or some sort of layering.
I've tried the board/tile method a few times but found it doesn't always work as expected. Planting on board/time will give (mostly) horizontal roots but I can also get that with good root pruning. Planting on a board MUST also be combined with pruning the roots otherwise 1 or 2 take off and overpower the other roots and roots with no ramification is not good nebari.
Root pruning gives the ramification seen in the picture. Each root junction you see there is likely the result of root pruning.

 

[SeanS]

All good and appropriate methods to make and improve nebari.
I've tried them all but mostly now use root pruning and/or some sort of layering.
I've tried the board/tile method a few times but found it doesn't always work as expected. Planting on board/time will give (mostly) horizontal roots but I can also get that with good root pruning. Planting on a board MUST also be combined with pruning the roots otherwise 1 or 2 take off and overpower the other roots and roots with no ramification is not good nebari.
Root pruning gives the ramification seen in the picture. Each root junction you see there is likely the result of root pruning.

Yes sorry @Shibui I’m using the assumption that proper root pruning and root work is a given, but might not be as understood by someone coming to an internet forum to ask how to develop proper nebari.

The images I posted above are after meticulous root work, combined with a few years prior on a board (with the same root work carried out while the trees were on the boards).

The first multi trunk tree was also started from an air layer.

 

[Faisal Ahmad]

I'm still learning too

but you can check what I'm doing in Progress Radial Root water jasmine