Brian Sampson is a regular demonstrator at Bonsai Clubs around Australia, as he is at Bonsai Northwest. With some hefty work on Figs, he demonstrated new ways to achieve great root systems.

Brian Sampson with a huge root over rock Ficus	Brian pointed out the best ways to achieve strong roots on Ficus varieties
Solid roots that grow together.	The back of this tree was less desireable than the front.
Finer roots made for a more interesting and stronger impression.	Brian then showed us how to take a bunch of seedling Figs....
Get hold of a Mangrove root...	Twist the seedlings together, tape them at the trunk level so they'll grow together as one tree and position them on the top of the Mangrove root...
Staple (!) or nail the roots to the top of the root	Trip the roots and pack with Sphagnum moss...
Wrap the Sphagnum and roots in Cling wrap...	"Did he say STAPLE the roots"!!!!
Here, a larger Fig on a larger Mangrove gets the same treatment.	Only this time the roots are screwed and nailed to the mangrove!
The roots are trimmed short so that they are forced to travel down the mangrove into the soil below. Brian estimates 12 weeks or so.	The tree gets the sphagnum treatment, wrapped in old towells instead of cling wrap, and the whole lot covered in a black 'poncho' to preserve humidity.
	John Campbell was a welcome visitor to Bonsai Northwest. Travelling around the world from England, he caught up with many of Australia's bonsai clubs and enthusiasts. John will be travelling on to Perth, Singapore and China. Safe travelling John! Nice to say g'day.
Trident Maple root over rock on display.	A literati Cedar
Sergeant's Juniper in twin trunk style	Large twin trunk Ficus
A mugho pine approx 30cm	A small Trident root over rock
A tiny leaved Elm	Ficus retusa approx 60cm

Take me back to the 2001 photo archive