Sweeney Mar00

March 2000

Paul Sweeney works with Driftwood

Paul Sweeney from Bonsai-The Imagination Tree nursery in Melbourne's Dandenong ranges, came to us to demonstrate the technique of grafting Junipers onto driftwood. Firstly, the wood. Old weathered root base which had been sawn so that only the most interesting areas were used.

In order to stay stable in the pot, car body filler was used to form legs and a base. A channel was gouged and sealed at the back of the driftwood.

Young pliable Juniper Squamata were planted along the groove with their roots into the soil. Paul check the placement of the trees.

New grooves were required to hold the smaller branches in place on the driftwood. Juniper trunks were held firmly against the driftwood using electrical ties and corks for gentle cushioning.

Standing room only! (except for the photographer's seat, centre!) The demonstration finished. The tree will now be allowed to grow freely and establish new branches and roots and thicken so that the trunks firmly take hold in the groove of the driftwood.

A beautiful raft Azalea from Japan. Only 10" high. A fig group from the display table.

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Paul Sweeney from Bonsai-The Imagination Tree nursery in Melbourne's Dandenong ranges, came to us to demonstrate the technique of grafting Junipers onto driftwood.	Firstly, the wood. Old weathered root base which had been sawn so that only the most interesting areas were used.

In order to stay stable in the pot, car body filler was used to form legs and a base.	A channel was gouged and sealed at the back of the driftwood.

Young pliable Juniper Squamata were planted along the groove with their roots into the soil.	Paul check the placement of the trees.

New grooves were required to hold the smaller branches in place on the driftwood.	Juniper trunks were held firmly against the driftwood using electrical ties and corks for gentle cushioning.

Standing room only! (except for the photographer's seat, centre!)	The demonstration finished. The tree will now be allowed to grow freely and establish new branches and roots and thicken so that the trunks firmly take hold in the groove of the driftwood.



A beautiful raft Azalea from Japan. Only 10" high.	A fig group from the display table.