Wiring Your
Bonsai
Wiring Your Bonsai consists of carefully wrapping the branches of your
plant, and then gently bending them to the desired shape. This is known as training the bonsai plant.
Wiring Your
Bonsai
(This is the 6th installment of our 7 part email course).
Welcome to day 6 of our 7 part
series on caring for your Bonsai. For more complete information on growing, trimming, pruning and caring for
your Bonsai see our book, The Art of
Bonsai. Today we are discussing wiring as
a method of forming the tree to the desired shape. One of the most unique aspects of growing Bonsai trees is the
use of wire to help form and train the tree. Wire is normally
used after the tree has been pruned and thinned to its essential branches. The wire will help support and train the Bonsai tree as it continues to
grow.
Although many recommend the
wire should be solid copper, however, our feeling is that for beginners aluminum is a better
choice. The wire is much more flexible than
copper. When you are more experienced in wiring your tree
you will probably want to use copper as it has more holding power than aluminum and is more resistant to the
elements. Remember that the wire will subjected to water every time you water the tree. The diameter of wire is assigned a number based on the diameter of the
wire, the smaller the wire the larger the number. Typically
you would use wires that are between 8 gauge and 18 gauge. The 8 gauge wire would be used to support the trunk of the Bonsai
tree, while the 16 & 18 gauge wires would be used on very thin branches.
Coniferous trees such as
evergreen trees should only be wired during there dormant period. This is when the branches can be trained and shaped without permanent
damage to the tree. However, deciduous trees should only be
wired only during there growing period. Most growers will wire
the Bonsai after it has been defoliated.
Wiring of your Bonsai tree
should begin at the lowest point of the trunk, and work up from there. There are some rules of thumb to follow as you wire your bonsai
tree. Some of those are as follows:
· The first wire you attach should be at the base of the
trunk.
· The first wire should be anchored into the soil of the tree
for stability.
· Use Foam pads under the wire where it comes into contact
with the tree. This will prevent chafing of the
tree.
· Keep turns in your wire at least ¼” apart. Any tighter can cause damage to the tree.
· Remember you are using the wires to train the tree, not to
tie the tree. Keep your wires loose.
There are some other things to
remember about wiring your Bonsai tree. Never try to
straighten out a branch that has already been bent. Sometimes a branch will break as you attempt to train it. If
the break is not completely through the branch, you can save the branch by rejoining the broken pieces and then
securing the break with garden tape.
Wires should never be left in
place longer then one year. Remove any wires that begin to
constrict the growth of the tree. Wires left in place to long
will grow into the tree, this can cause rings to appear in the bark of the trees. When you remove your wires, start at the outer edge of the tree and work
toward the trunk. Wires can be cleaned and
reused.
Tomorrow is our last lesson
and we will be discussing the effects of over and under watering. Join us to learn how long it takes to learn how to properly water a
Bonsai!
See you
then,
Justin Case
http://www.bonsai-hut.com
For The Entire Seven Day Free
Course, visit:
http://www.bonsai-hut.com
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