Bonsai forum

  • Page:
  • 1

TOPIC:

How to "raise soil line"? 7 years 6 months ago #25176

  • dtmoura
  • dtmoura's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Thanks received: 0
I have a Jaboticaba bonsai with a "Y" shaped trunk. I wanted to raise the soil line about 2 inches so it touched just below the "V", effectively transforming it into a twin trunk bonsai. I wonder the best way to accomplish that. Thoughts? Pic attached.



The obvious idea is to scrape the trunk at the new desired height, put it into a deeper pot and bury the bottom trunk under soil, hoping the exposed trunk will root. With time I would cut off bottom. Has anyone ever attempted that (with any tree)?

Thanks

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

How to "raise soil line"? 7 years 6 months ago #25177

  • BonsaiLearner
  • BonsaiLearner's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 472
  • Thanks received: 101
You mean air layering?
Yes, that should work, plus you can plant the old root system and maybe grow a second tree from it.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

How to "raise soil line"? 7 years 6 months ago #25178

  • Ruth
  • Ruth's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Premium Member
  • Premium Member
  • Posts: 153
  • Thanks received: 24
Love this forum. I saw a tree like that today and wondered if air layering would work. Do you have to tourniquet the tree below where you want the new roots to grow?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

How to "raise soil line"? 7 years 6 months ago #25179

  • Auk
  • Auk's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 6097
  • Thanks received: 1791
Air layering is possible but it will take up to 1,5 years. I Googled that.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Last edit: Post by Auk.

How to "raise soil line"? 7 years 6 months ago #25180

  • dtmoura
  • dtmoura's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Thanks received: 0
It is kind of air layering but not really. Two main differences. Instead of just wrapping plastic around a small portion of the trunk, i would bury the whole trunk. Also, instead of sphagnum moss, i would use regular bonsai soil. So not sure if these two adaptations would compromise the success of the operation. My main concern is causing rot on the trunk by keeping a good portion under the soil. Thoughts?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

How to "raise soil line"? 7 years 6 months ago #25186

  • leatherback
  • leatherback's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 8620
  • Thanks received: 3653
It is what I have done on a number of trees. It is also common practive to get a better rootspread. So yeah, can be done.
The following user(s) said Thank You: dtmoura

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Page:
  • 1