Wiring & Anchoring Bonsai
Two very common and basic methods of shaping the bonsai tree are wiring and anchoring.
Wiring a Bonsai
When wiring a bonsai tree you use a metal wire to hold a section of the tree into the shape that you want. Wiring has the advantage of training the tree to the desired shape quicker than most other methods.
Since it is softer aluminum wire is used to wire most branches. When using aluminum wire you will need to use a thicker wire to hold the branch in place. The thicker wire is less likely to cut into the bark, which greatly reduces the risk of scarring. When training heavier branches or changing the shape of the trunk a stronger wire will be needed. In this case you will probably need to use copper or even steel wire.
To wire a branch, the brand is simply wrapped with wire and then gently bent it into the desired position. The wire is left in place to hold the branch until it is capable of holding that shape unassisted. Once a branch is wired, it needs to be watched closely to be sure that the branch has not thickened to the point that the wire is cutting into the bark. At The Pond Shack, we are especially vigilant with our deciduous bonsai trees because they tend to thicken during quick growth spurts.
We always start wiring bonsai on thicker branches and work our way up to the thinner ones, and wiring tends to elicit a more stable tree when using one wire to wire two branches, as opposed to one wire per branch.
If we ever notice wiring getting too tight on a bonsai, we remove it to avoid scarring. If the branch still will not stay in position, we re-wrap it to accommodate its new size. In the end, it’s all about style and creating a beautiful bonsai.
Call us at 845-304-2183 or stop by to find out what types and styles of bonsai we have available at The Pond Shack (at Down to Earth Nursery, 1040 Route 45, Pomona, NY 10970).
Anchoring a Bonsai
Bonsai plants must be anchored to their containers until the roots take hold. One method used to anchor the plant is to tie it down with wires leading up through the screens that are placed over the drainage holes in the container.
Frequently a branch that is several years old will be too thick, in this case wiring the branch will not be very effective. For branches like this anchoring will probably work better. Anchoring bonsai works by pulling the branch into the position you want and keeping it there.
You start by looping a wire or string over the branch you want to anchor. Any place that the string or wire touches the tree you will need to protect the bark by covering the wire or string with a soft rubber tube. The other end is secured to the container or another branch to hold the limb in the position you want. If you secure it to another branch be sure to use the protective tubing on this end as well, you also need to be sure that you do not pull the anchor limb out of it's position.
At The Pond Shack in NY, we are experts at anchoring bonsai in order to achieve a particular style. Call 845-304-2183 or stop by to find out what types and styles of bonsai we have available at The Pond Shack (at Down to Earth Nursery, 1040 Route 45, Pomona, NY 10970).