Penjing Project: Weekend Garage Work Adds Frames for Land Features

by Michael Rusnak
Over a couple of weekends, a group of ACBS members-  -Gib, Carlton and Dan showed their handyman skills--and used oodles of C-clamps  to meticulously build "frames" that will support land features on each section of the penjing project.  Such frames are necessary to support soil, moss and small plants that may occupy the features.

The frames were cut from   angled rails of aluminum. In order to correctly size all of the the aluminum for individual tray sections, and, at the same time, ensure that each section fit neatly into any other sections, it was necessary to work with the entire composition.  Each length of the aluminum was measured and cut with a miter saw at an appropriate angle.
 The aluminum was then fitted so that it would fit flush along the desired edge. In addition, the tray section was checked against its joining section to test that mitered angles matched, and that the soil section correctly aligned  with that of any neighboring tray.



   Rails were cemented with epoxy resin and clamped into place. No doubt this was a time-consuming task, but it was an important step to completing the project.  Fitting the frames in this way, holds the unity of the composition.
Next,  members may start adding the individual plantings in the rock hollows and fill-in and sculpt soil features.  It was   reassuring to see that with all of the sections pieced together on the level garage floor, they accomplished a neat and consistent fit.  Of course, once soil and moss are in place, those shiny aluminium pieces that support it will be covered not be visible in the final landscape. 

With this task accomplished, it is entirely possible that the tray planting will be at the point where it can be displayed at the ACBS annual June exhibition. 

Much thanks to Gib, Carlton and Dan for offering to build these sections. 

ACBS Penjing Project Moves to Next Phase

At its April meeting ACBS members discussed several different types of plants that might for cascading and upright trees to be planted in the rock cavities. Samples of two varieties of dwarf boxwood, a type of small honeysuckle, juniper and spruce were discussed.   Smaller companion material and types of moss was also
considered to add perspective and differences in height on the composition  be used began working on creating the boundary lines that will help define the land land water features of the tray landscape.

For this feature part of the project, it was important that all members who are developing a section brought their sections so that the feature boundary lines of each section would neatly fold into each of the adjoining sections. This would ensure that the entire composition would flow together when completed.

Working from the master blueprint, guidelines for the
boundaries were drawn freehand on each section. Then a thick bead of construction adhesive was applied over the lines.  Members pressed bits of crushed rock into the adhesive beads to form the shoreline-like ridges.  The crushed rock was chipped off of discarded section  of the same type of tufa-like rock that was used elsewhere on the planting.  In some places this borderline feature already had the appearance of sand as well as a rough textured look. Once the adhesive has dried, the loose pieces and dust will be vacuumed away.  It is important not to rub off the loose material, as it is quite abrasive, and in parts it has scratched the dark blue Corian material that was used to make the trays.

ACBS member Carlton Buck offered to store and begin working making a frame like sections made from aluminium angle edging.  This edging will be attached to some of the sides to hold soil where there are raised land features on the planting.
An architect by profession, it was easy to see where Carlton's professional skills of familiarity with materials, organization, planning and vision have carried over into this composition as a whole.  In other words, it already just looks cool.