_space_bard_
Mame
I'm very curious, because on my hikes I come across a lot of rock slabs. Just wondering what I should be looking for exactly.
What makes a good/great/why the hell is the chunk of rock selling for $100 on a FB auction, rock slab?
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berzerkules
Shohin
I have no idea what makes a $100 rock but I bet you see some cool stuff. I spent a lot of time around Lake Powell when I was younger and there are some insane rock formations in the area.
_space_bard_
Mame
A lot more rock formations now since the lake is drying up
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Rock slabs:
Look for -
Thin. Rock is incredibly heavy. Thick slabs weigh too much to move if they are wide enough to be useful but the slab still needs to be thick enough to be strong. I carried some large, thin granite slabs all the way down off the hillside only to have them break in pieces in the car
Size will obviously depend on the size of the trees you plant to grow on them. Allow enough extra size to show that it is a rock slab after the tree is planted.
Strong rock. Some kinds of rock erode quickly or split in cold weather (stay clear of shales but they generally don't form good slabs anyway)
Do not underestimate the additional problems of growing trees on rock. Even the hardest rocks are porous and will wick water away from the soil and roots and evaporate it into surrounding air like a radiator does for heat. Any planting with rock will require more water. The more exposed rock the more water required. I gave up trying to keep trees alive on rock slabs many years ago.
Look for -
Thin. Rock is incredibly heavy. Thick slabs weigh too much to move if they are wide enough to be useful but the slab still needs to be thick enough to be strong. I carried some large, thin granite slabs all the way down off the hillside only to have them break in pieces in the car
Size will obviously depend on the size of the trees you plant to grow on them. Allow enough extra size to show that it is a rock slab after the tree is planted. Strong rock. Some kinds of rock erode quickly or split in cold weather (stay clear of shales but they generally don't form good slabs anyway)
Do not underestimate the additional problems of growing trees on rock. Even the hardest rocks are porous and will wick water away from the soil and roots and evaporate it into surrounding air like a radiator does for heat. Any planting with rock will require more water. The more exposed rock the more water required. I gave up trying to keep trees alive on rock slabs many years ago.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Rock slabs make great bonsai containers, depending on a few things--species, conditions and owner ability (it takes a bit of ingenuity to get trees established on a flat (ish) surface, but it can work very well once done). I've had amur maple growing on a ceramic slab for a decade now. They can also be used as Jiita in bonsai display--something like a big coaster for display trees instead of a stand..Good ones can be well over $100. In Arizona, you may going run into sandstone and softer rock in some areas. Opt for granite (or other kinds of igneous rock) if you can find them.
americanbonsaiceramics.com
Joe Day | American Bonsai Ceramics
americanbonsaiceramics.com
Slab planting | Orlando Bonsai
This site is for the sole purpose of presenting and recording the slow transition of nursery stock and pre-bonsai material into developed bonsai.
www.orlandobonsai.com
hinmo24t
Masterpiece
interesting concept. might seem fruitful at first glance but im putting at least $50 on processing the sale of a heavy rock.
not sure the one youre referencing, but if it is heavy, i think of hauling more than 1 out of a hike, posting it for sale attractively,
and shipping the weight of it.
wouldnt have to worry about damage during freight but its just a wild concept. i cant imagine the discretionary spending
on those who would spend hard earned money on a rock from online, but then again i didnt know certain places have few, like the
person from Houston who made a thread about it earlier
Maiden69
Masterpiece
LOL, and you are complaining about a $100 stone...
Vertical Stone No. 16
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...
goods.bonsaimirai.com
Vertical Stone No. 10
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...
goods.bonsaimirai.com
Vertical Stone No. 15
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...
goods.bonsaimirai.com
Vertical Stone No. 16
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...
goods.bonsaimirai.com
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
When I had my gallery years back, I had imported Suiseki (Japan) and Scholar Rocks (China) that sold for into the thousands. And my prices were cheap.
hinmo24t
Masterpiece
i wonder what the average ROI (return on investment) is for the vendors who offer rocks and bonsai in
excess of $2,000 a piece. 3 years? 5 years?
do those who follow them ever notice the inventory turns over and sells, drops from the market?
the bonsai need to be maintained, rocks, not so much? space, inventory, etc.
fascinating
excess of $2,000 a piece. 3 years? 5 years?
do those who follow them ever notice the inventory turns over and sells, drops from the market?
the bonsai need to be maintained, rocks, not so much? space, inventory, etc.
fascinating
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
Those are handmade by Jan.LOL, and you are complaining about a $100 stone...
Vertical Stone No. 16
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...goods.bonsaimirai.comVertical Stone No. 10
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...goods.bonsaimirai.comVertical Stone No. 15
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...goods.bonsaimirai.comVertical Stone No. 16
This vertical stone by European phenom Jan Culek is the answer to elevate your bonsai compositions and further illustrate the native landscape. Having a background in both bonsai and sculpture, Jan’s work is known for its near-perfect representation of stone. He meshes multiple mediums and pulls...goods.bonsaimirai.com
Maiden69
Masterpiece
I know, I saw his video in Bonsai Empire.
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
I would love to learn how to make them. They look very realistic.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
There is a big difference between planting slabs and $2,000+ suiseki (notwithstanding the skyhigh prices of handmade cement planting stones on Mirai). I wouldn't pay that much for a cement slab, but they are works of ceramic art and NOT STONES.
Ever try to find a decent suiseki? I mean in the wild, not off of ebay (Which is mostly a collection of fakes or overly "worked" stones). Decent suiseki and scholars stones are not common and they are very expensive. The best examples are not for sale. The best of the best in Japan and China have names, just as important katana blades do.
and FWIW, the best suiseki ARE maintained. They, like pots, acquire a patina from handling.
Bonsai & Penjing Museum Collections in DC — National Bonsai Foundation
Museum Collections
www.bonsai-nbf.org
One of my favorites "waterfall" stones at the Bonsai and Penjing Museum:
Attachments
Maiden69
Masterpiece
He didn't go into "details", just brushed over the basics... it's the bonus content of this course.
Developing Coniferous Bonsai course - Bonsai Empire
Course introduction The Developing Coniferous Bonsai course is centered exclusively on Coniferous tree species, like Junipers, Pines and Spruces. The teachers (...
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Rocks should be sourced from directly under the trees that are directly under your nose.
I'd rather give thirty good homeless people $100 to find a good rock, because it's surely more valuable.
That's an expensive fish.
Sorce
_space_bard_
Mame
It took me 10,000 hours to learn how to put the toilet lid down.
Rocks should be sourced from directly under the trees that are directly under your nose.
I'd rather give thirty good homeless people $100 to find a good rock, because it's surely more valuable.
That's an expensive fish.
Sorce
_space_bard_
Mame
Some of the sandstone I run into around here is very hard, while some will crumble apart if lightly tapped with a hammer. We also have a lot of Chert and rocks I can't even identify, but are hard. Also, a lot of petrified wood in my area and I know several secret spots I've discovered. Getting permits to harvest petrified wood for commercial use isn't difficult, I've done it before, and a permit isn't needed if it's for personal use and allows up to 250lbs a day to be carried out.Rock slabs make great bonsai containers, depending on a few things--species, conditions and owner ability (it takes a bit of ingenuity to get trees established on a flat (ish) surface, but it can work very well once done). I've had amur maple growing on a ceramic slab for a decade now. They can also be used as Jiita in bonsai display--something like a big coaster for display trees instead of a stand..Good ones can be well over $100. In Arizona, you may going run into sandstone and softer rock in some areas. Opt for granite (or other kinds of igneous rock) if you can find them.
Joe Day | American Bonsai Ceramics
Slab planting | Orlando Bonsai
This site is for the sole purpose of presenting and recording the slow transition of nursery stock and pre-bonsai material into developed bonsai.www.orlandobonsai.com
Example of rocks I encounter around here that I don't even know how to identify. Looks like sandstone but is hard as hell.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
_space_bard_
Mame
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