How To Train Your Bonsai

 

Often considered the most difficult training technique, wiring is used to bend the trunk and branches of a tree into the shape you would like your bonsai to

take. Beginners can learn to judge tension in different sized branches, and the various ways of securing wire, by first practicing on a small branch from an ordinary tree or shrub. Never rush.

Deciding the shape your tree will take is a lifetime decision, so be sure to examine all angles and possibilities. Copper wire, though expensive, is most suitable for wiring a bonsaito-be such as the juniper above, because it remains soft. Galvanized iron or plastic coated wire may be used, but they tend to look rather ugly and detract from your tree. Remember, the larger coniferous trees will be wearing their wires for 12 - 18 months, so please take care in choosing the best “look” for your bonsai.

If you study very carefully the way trees grow in nature, it is possible to design a realistic looking bonsai without knowing the names of styles, etc. The most important part is always remember that you are working with a living plant. Look carefully at its natural characteristics and you may discern within them a suitable style, or styles. Once a certain “shape” begins to reveal itself, you will find that gentle bending of a branch before wiring will increase its flexibility and give you an idea of the correct strength of wire. What you are looking for is a wire that will give you a tension slightly more than the

tension of the branch. Tenderbarked trees, such as maples, should be trained with paperwrapped wire to protect the bark.

When To Wire

Deciduous trees should be wired after their

leaves have matured, in early summer, and the wires removed in autumn to avoid wounding the bark. Coniferous trees should be wired during the winter months, since they take considerably longer to become fixed in position. All trees should be protected from hot sun and heavy rain for a month after wiring.

Wiring A Bonsai Tree

Begin wiring from the base of the trunk, anchoring the wire in the soil. You may need two wires to hold the trunk in position. After securing the base of the trunk, proceed to the main, and then the smaller branches, ending with the highest twigs. Wires should be wound at about 45 degrees to the line of the branch. Gauge the tension carefully, as tight wiring will cut into the bark, and loose wiring will slip.

Bonsai Wiring Rules

1. Size of the wire is 1/3 the size of the branch for copperwire. Aluminum wire is slightly larger.

2. Apply wire at a 45 degree angle to the branch. 50 degrees is better.

3. Spiral gap between wire loops should be equal.

4. Spiral should be closer to the way the branch bends.Never leave gaps between wire and branch.

5. Change the thickness of the wire as the branch thicknesschanges.

6. Wire heaviest wire first to the thinnest wire.

7. Wire 2 branches with one piece of wire, not far apart ortoo close.

Top view of a section of the bonsai exhibition. Here one can study the placement of each bonsai display and also the overall silhouette of each masterpiece.

1. End of the wire always faces backward and upward. Endof the wire faces upward to support the tip (bud) of the branch.

2. Positioning of your hands and body is fundamental towiring because it is important to achieve the 45 degree angle of wire placement.

3. Hold branches underneath when wiring.

4. Hold wire from the end to keep wiring hand free of thetree and not to disturb buds. Hand tension holds the branch bottom while the other hand holds the wire.

5. The left hand is stiffwhile the right hands are loose when wiring (Right handed people).

6. Never move bothhands at the same time. Move inside to outside when wiring.

7. Over wire thickbranches and under wire thin branches.

8. Wire on the outsideof the branch where pressure is to be applied.

9. Always support theweakest part of the branch when bending.

10. Wire from thethickest branch to the thinnest branch.

11. Wire from thebottom of the tree to the top of the tree.

12. Start wiring fromthe inside to the outside of the branch.

13. Always bend the branch first, not the wire.

14. Wire the branch to bend it in the direction of yourintended movement, i.e. wire on top to bend the branch downward, wire on the bottom to bend the branch upward, wire the back to bend the branch forward, and wire the front to bend the branch backward.

15. Wiring at the branch junction is very important.

1. Crossing wires should be avoided. This causes gapsbetween wire and the branch and it could result in damaging parts of the tree when underneath wires are removed.

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