When planting bonsai on rock, we often need to tie the bonsai to the rock to prevent it from separating from the rock or changing its planting angle before enough roots are formed so that the bonsai can support and attached itself to the rock.
This method describes how to easily attached any piece of wire to a rock permanently. We’ve got several of this wire to rock attachments that’s been attached to the rock for years.
You will need
- a suitable rock
- wire, preferably aluminum,
- baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- superglue.
Rock – use a rock with a hard surface. Rocks like limestone or sandstone will deteriorate over time and the anchor will separate from the rock
Method
Make sure the rock is clean and that all soft or porous material has been removed. Should there be dirt on the rock or soft weathered areas the mixture will stick to it and pull away from the rock. You need a hard stable surface.
The rock needs to be dry. Choose a suitable anchoring point on the rock. Place the rock in a position where the area you need to attached the wire is horizontal.
Bend the wire in a u shape where you need to attached it. Make sure the wire is long enough to tie down the bonsai. You will need to place a small heap of baking soda on the rock covering the piece of wire where it touch the rock.
Keep the wire steady and drip enough superglue on the baking soda to “thoroughly wet” the baking soda. Keep still for a few seconds and your wire will be attached to the rock.
Within seconds the wire will be attached to the rock.
Choosing a suitable anchoring point
When you choose an anchoring point make sure that it can be covered with soil or moss and that it will not be visible when you finished with the planting.
Make sure that the anchoring point is at the correct angle so that when you tie down the bonsai, it will stay in the right angle.
When using this method to creating root over rock plantings, remember that you will need remove the wire from the roots when its starts to bite in or it will leave permanent damage to the roots.
