Raft Style in Bonsai

By Susan Abraham

 

In Bonsai there are 2 groups of styles  -  the Single Tree Style created with individual plants which take up styles like formal, upright, informal cascade, etc, and the Group Planting Style, which creates a composition resembling a natural forest. Bonsai Artists have to employ their imagination and skill to create an aesthetic composition.  Saikei, Suihan, Penjing, Raft style and Netsuranari, all are part of Group Planting.

 The Raft style imitates the tree which has been uprooted and fallen on the ground with its trunk horizontal with the original root mass sustaining its growth partially. This can happen during natural calamities. The tree still struggles to survive by growing roots under the fallen trunk and sends up new growth on the upper side.

 Two types of raft styles can be created by a Bonsai artist – the ‘straight raft style’ and the ‘sinuous raft style’.

For the straight raft style an erect plant with more branches on one side is usually chosen. Those branches growing towards the opposite side are gradually wired and trained to grow towards the desired side, vertical to the ground. The tree should be potted horizontally and secured by wires at both ends in a long training pot with the original root mass still sustaining the plant.

 

  The bark and cambium under the horizontal trunk should be peeled off at convenient points and root hormones applied to induce root growth. The trunk should be totally covered with soil. The branches will now grow as individual trees from the horizontal trunk looking as if they have been planted in a straight row.

                  
          

For the ‘sinuous raft style’ the original trunk that is chosen would be curved or twisted. Those branches growing towards the unwanted side are wired and trained to grow in the required direction. Here also the cambium is exposed at convenient points and root hormones applied before potting.

New shoots can be trained to achieve the desired design. In the long run roots will be connected and exposed.

Because of the sinuous shape of the trunk, the new branches growing as individual trees will reflect depth, giving the whole design a forest like appearance.

 

 This style is a unique way of making a Forest Bonsai with a single plant. After a few years of training, transplant the group to a suitable ceramic tray.

Raft is always planted in long shallow rectangular or oval pots with the biggest branch in the centre. These shallow pots facilitate in showing off the arrangement.

 

                                            

  As the soil level is above the rim of the tray it is important to hold it with moss. Judicious watering, feeding, pruning and repotting is very important to keep the trees healthy.

Plants suitable for creating raft style are ficus varieties, junipers, etc.