Bonsai Cultivating
Techniques
Growing or cultivating a
Bonsai tree involves proper application of techniques in a
prescribed manner. While there are multiple processes that
can be followed for obtaining a good Bonsai tree, applying
these processes in the best optimized manner is very
important. The following techniques and steps can help you
enhance the growth of your Bonsai plant in the best possible
manner:
Pruning
Pruning is generally one of the first steps for conversion
of any desired plant into a perfect Bonsai specimen. Proper
and timely pruning of trunk, branches and roots can help in
the development of a proper, fully grown yet small-sized
tree. If proper care is not taken or if you prune it too
rigidly, you tree can become too weak or even die.
Pruning includes removal of the major and minor branches of
the Bonsai tree that cause it to stray away from the desired
shape. Occasionally, you might also have to remove the top
part of the trunk to achieve the predetermined shape of the
plant.
You might initially have to prune the Bonsai plant rigidly,
but once it is grown, pruning will be restricted to bringing
around better branch increment and encouraging growth of the
non-pruned branches. Pruning is an essential part of
developing a good Bonsai plant, which should be practiced
carefully in order to get a good design and proper plant
development.
Deadwood
Deadwood is a technique for improving the realistic look of
your Bonsai plants through the creation of jins and sharis.
Jin refers to elimination of bark from a particular branch
so as to provide a hurdle and give the plant a proper look.
Shari on the other hand is the streaking of bark from
branches or trunk to give a natural wounded look to your
tree.
Certain branches are not really required and so such
branches are generally used for the creation of jins
necessary for making the plant look realistic. Such jins
give the plan the appearance of being struck by lightning or
struggling to keep its head up in heaving snow.
Though a very simple-looking technique, it is actually quite
complicated and requires specialized skills to give the
right shape and natural effects. Special carving ideas and
specific hand tools should be used to give a proper shape to
the plant; only those branches should be used for jins that
have a thickness of at least half inch.
This technique is best applied to fibrous wood, deciduous
species and coniferous species; it can also give realistic
looks to old Pine and Juniper trees. You can also use
certain paints with wood preservatives on the deadwoods to
achieve a realistic look and also prevent moisture from
rotting the wood. Creation of jin involves removal of bark
and pulling slithers; providing desired shape using pliers;
giving sharp edges with concave cutters; and painting if
desired.
Shari creation on the other hand requires selection of
voluntary barks and drawing of require shape with the help
of chalks. It starts with widening of narrow strips and then
careful cutting with the help of sharp knives and tearing
with jin pliers. Hollowing of the trunk with concave cutters
into the desired shape and then finally painting as required
to protect the tree from infection complete the process.
I wish you all the best on your
japanese maple bonsai adventure!
Best wishes,
Thomas T :)
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