The technique comes from a crafty gentleman named Ebihara. It involves nails, chopsticks, plywood and a drill. Below are photos of the first steps in a slow process that can yield a truly impressive rootbase. Hats off to Jeff for giving it a try!
Zelkova roots
Nice, thin, root system – so far, so good
Tyler watches Jeff and Boon with curiosity and possibly a hint of skepticism
Zelkova affixed to plywood
with nails
and chopsticks
Wired into the pot, awaiting bonsai soil
Although I’m very excited to watch the tree develop, I don’t envy Jeff the repotting he has in store a few years from now.
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matthiew quinn says
very interesting … the screw is underneath the wood going into the trunk ?
And the chop sticks, i guess, are to give a little high and attitude, or change the direction of the roots or is there an other motive ?
Matt
Andrew says
I am wondering the purpose of the nails.
Thanks for sharing,
Andrew
LeeBee says
It looks like the nails are guides for the roots to insure radial growth.
Mandy says
It’s good that you posted pictures on how to properly repot a bonsai. In this way, we can do repotting easily and perfectly. Thank you!
John says
Nails hold roots in spread position, and provide side to side movement. Chopsticks provide some vertical movement- undulation. View the roots tjhe way you would the branches. The Ebihara technique is covered in the May (5) 2001 Kinbon. JOhn
Howard says
Nice pics of the technique. Anybody know how Mr. Ebihara is doing?
matthiew quinn says
thank you john, im just surprised about the vertical movement … i figured that was the answer , but it just seems odd since one of the “rules” is no knee roots sticking out… not that im one for rules… i love the vertical axe being used for roots, adds lots of character.
John Kirby says
Matthiew, I understand confused me at first, if you look at the ebihara maples in the pictures on this blog (Ebihara tag) you see the little vertical movement, breaks the mootony
Ann says
I think I’m with Tyler – slightly skeptical. But hey – maybe it’ll survive all that trauma – will check back regularly for updates!
jrwbodine says
Tree is doing very well growing and growing. Can’t wait till the next repot. Thanks Jonas.
Gary Swiech says
I believe the roots should flare out at a 15º angle and then flatten out.
bruwno says
great idea, are those galvanized nails?