Creating a Rock Planting Video Tutorial

These videos show the process of creating a rock planting from start to finish. I present this as just one of the many ways compositions like this can be successfully created.
Thanks,
John

Part One:


and Part Two:

I am perplexed by the lack of response to this post...good or bad?? It takes a far amount of work to put something like this together. In the last week it has been viewed nearly 100 times but no feedback or comments??

I am really not being a poor sport or someone that is just looking for a pat on the back, but I honestly felt like this topic might generate some interesting conversation.

If you have any thoughts on why this post has not generated more conversation I would interested in reading what you have to say.

Thanks,
John

I don't know what to say....Seeing your video's inspires me to go create and it is hard for me to put into words the depth of feelings your plantings place within my mind of such beauty...
Irene

John,
I for one love your videos. I'm not able to access them at work and so it's hard for me to comment now, but unless these are brand new videos then I would venture a guess that I've seen them.

Recently I watched your videos on collecting a large crape myrtle. I'm very interested in the outcome of that. Crape Myrtle are one of my favorite trees.

Thanks for all you put into it John.

Ed

John,

Ol' buddy, as I posted to you in response to an earlier video, I think these tutorials are a great tool and I admire your ability to utilize electronic communication this way. Again, I think you have put it in the wrong section of the forum. I don't think postings in the "Questions" section get as many views as those in the general "Bonsai" section. I'm guessing you put it where you did thinking that it would be available there for people with questions on that topic, but it's really something anyone might find interesting, even if they're not specifically looking for that information. So I think part of the issue is that your posts are not getting the volume of traffic they might. It may be too that people just don't like you. I don't know. - AJ

Tutorials are answers to questions, so I think they belong here. There's no shame in answering questions, it's a valuable teaching strategy and just as important as showing trees in the bonsai section.

No intent to suggest there is any shame in answering questions, or to make a comparison in value between that and posting tree pictures. The simple fact is that posts in the "Bonsai" area get more views than posts in the "Questions" section. Also, no question was asked. If someone asked how to go about creating a rock planting and John posted his video in reply, that would make sense. John makes these videos about bonsai and it seems it wouldn't be inappropriate for him to post them in the "Bonsai" section where more people would see them and potentially discuss them, including people who might have questions about the topic he's covering.

(Here you go, John - your post is stimulating conversation!)

Thank you Irene and Ed!! There will be more to come on the crape myrtle;)

AJ...Thank you as well... but if you will just use the "Posts since last visit" search feature when you come to the site, you will not have to concern yourself with the different categories of the forum:)

Seriously though....There are certainly some cases when I think posting videos in the main forum is appropriate. The videos I posted from the expo are a perfect example...they belonged in the Bonsai category. However, I just felt like the ones geared more toward tutorials belonged in the question category....and I guess Kev has confirmed that for us.

Regardless, I don't think the category inhibits, or should inhibit the discussion of a post. I certainly intend my videos to be educational and I am slowly building a following on Youtube, but I think I post here for an additional purpose and that is the opportunity to get feedback from others.

So, thanks for your feedback AJ... I hope there will be many more opportunities in the future.
John

John, I'm at home now and had a chance to review your videos. Yes, I certainly saw these before, but it was great to see them again, especially since I have been experimenting with building multi-layered slabs in lieu of a natural stone.

When you set the trees onto the muck and start to muck them over, what do you do about air between the roots? Do you just press the muck into the roots? How thick of a layer do you place over them?

Thanks,
Ed

Hey Ed...

"When you set the trees onto the muck and start to muck them over, what do you do about air between the roots? Do you just press the muck into the roots? How thick of a layer do you place over them?"

I do my best to spread the roots as much as possible. I think it is very important to trial fit the tree on the stone and then to prune the roots so that they follow the contour of the planting surface. Once the roots are spread, it is very easy to pack the muck in such a way to avoid large air pockets around the roots. The depth of the muck I apply varies but it is mostly dependent on the needs of the tree. I allow more depth for trees which are going to benefit or need more water. Small to med junipers flourish for me in a total of 1-2" of muck. My boxwoods are more typically in 2-3". Although thick muck maintains it moisture level very well be careful for it becomes very difficult to "rewet" if allowed to dry out....extended submersion is about the only effective method.

I typically do not use muck when the stone provides a planting pocket...instead I have used both bonsai soil and potting soil successfully. I use muck and the wire ties when the planting area is not containerized in any way but it is the area in which I want to place the tree(s).

I hope this helps answer your questions:)
John

hi John,
I enjoyed watching your video as i want to attempt my first slab planting next year. I don't always post that much but there was a silent appreciation

As a newbie to the forum , I have only just seen the vids and must say very well done and extremly informative. Thanks for the info really appreciated