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Pruning and Trimming
Bonsai
A well-shaped bonsai needs to have its small branches, buds, and new shoots removed
in order to keep its good shape. Before you begin, make a mental picture of what
you want your bonsai to look like. Then, slowly, begin to shape your tree.
Basically, what we do, if two branches are growing opposite one another, remove
one of them directly at the trunk. Likewise, do the same if two branches are growing
forwards, directly above one another or at the same height. Make sure that your
cuts are smooth or slightly concave to help the wound heal quickly. Pruning and
trimming of deciduous trees, such as maples and elms, is best done throughout
the growing season. Whereas, the junipers, pines, cypress and palms may be finger-nipped
throughout the year.
Wiring Techniques And Other Training Methods
The wiring of bonsai to attain desired shaping is often used in place of, or in
association with, long-term pruning. The use of good wiring techniques permits
us to train trees along most any lines. For example, it is used if you want to
make a bonsai look older by means of low-hanging branches, or if you want to keep
a bend in the trunk or want one eliminated. The best material to use is either
copper or anodized aluminum wire, which can be purchased almost anywhere. The
thinnest wire that will hold a branch in the desired position is the right diameter
of wire to use. Putting the wire on too tightly because it will cause physical
injury to the branch. Wrap the wire around the branch just tight enough to get
the job of styling done properly. The wiring process takes approximately six weeks
to three months before the shape will be complete. This depends on the thickness
of the branch and the variety of tree being shaped. In any case, the wiring process,
as the bonsai process, is an ongoing process throughout the life of the tree.
Repotting the Bonsai
Bonsai should be transplanted when the roots in the container have grown clumped
together in a condition known as root-bound. In the root-bound condition the roots
have extended themselves to the point where they are no longer able to take sustenance
from the soil. This becomes apparent when the roots are seen growing out the sides
of the container. For the majority of bonsai this occurs every two or three years.
Repotting the bonsai and trimming the roots is not a hazardous operation if it
is done at the right time of the year and if one is careful not to take away too
much soil from the tree providing it is done just before the new growth begins
in the spring.
Procedure for repotting Bonsai: Pick a day that is cool if repotting outdoors.
1) The soil should be moderately dry. Carefully take the tree out of the container
without disrupting the soil around the roots. The plant’s placement back
in the pot after you are finished is important so before removing the tree from
the container take a good look at it’s placement.
2) Untangle the roots from the root-ball mass.
3) Using an unsharpened, pointed stick, like chopsticks, pick away the soil from
the sides and bottom o the root-ball mass. Remove approximately one-third of the
root-ball mass being careful not to disrupt the soil from around the trunk of
the tree.
4) Carefully trim off the roots that have now been exposed with a sharp pair of
scissors, leaving one inch of roots still extending beyond the root-ball mass.
5) Add a layer of 3/8ths-inch of gravel until it covers the entire bottom of the
container one-inch high. This will be used as the drainage field for your tree.
6) Using a good grade of potting soil mixture, such as the mix we sell at our
nursery, containing 40% Canadian Peat, 40% Pine Bark, and the remainder a mixture
of sand, clay, perlite, and dolomite, place enough soil in the container so that
when the tree is replaced within the container, the top surface of the soil is
even with or slightly below the edge of the container.
7) Place the tree back into the container and locate it where it was prior to
its removal and fill the sides of the container with the soil mixture.
8) Place fertilizer in the corners or around the edge of the container approximately
one-inch below the soil surface.
9) Using your hands pack the soil firmly into the container to ensure that there
are no air pockets around the roots.
10) After the soil has been packed properly, water the soil until it is saturated.
Mist and water the soil often to ensure that the tree does not dry out until new
roots are formed.
Bonsai Styles
CHOKKAN- The formal, upright style, the trunk in this bonsai style is straight
with branches growing just above the roots continuing to a tapering point at the
top of the tree. This is the ideal shape for pines, junipers, and cypress.
SHAKAN- The slanting style. The trunk in this style is cultivated at a slant,
imitating trees found growing along mountaintops or windswept beaches. Junipers
and pines are readily adaptable to this shape.
SOKAN- The style has two trunks of differing diameters growing from a single root.
It is also called a parent and child bonsai. Junipers, pines, blue moss cypress
and most deciduous tees can be grown in this style.
SANKAN- This style may have three, five, or seven trunks of different trunk diameters
growing from a single root ball. If there are three trunks of differing diameters,
then it is referred to as a father, mother, son arrangement. Slender trunk trees,
such as maples and elms are best suited for this style.
IKADA- This is often called the raft style. In this style, the trunk is buried
horizontally in the soil with the branches arranged vertically so they will grow
like trunks.
YOSE'UE- This bonsai style is a group of trees planted and arranged to resemble
a small forest. This is a very popular style because it reminds people of a miniature
forest scene. Almost any group of trees can be used for this style.
KENGAI- This is the cascading or hanging bonsai style. The trunk and branches
are styled to hang down over the edge of the container, which is usually placed,
on a pedestal. This style is designed to look like a tree growing out of the side
of a mountain. Pines and junipers are ideal for this style.
Information complements of Eve's Garden, Inc.
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