Wrapping aluminum or copper wires around the trunk or branches of bonsai trees in order to give them the desired profile is known as wiring. Through wrapping the branches and trunk with a length of wire in just the right thickness, the basic style of bonsai is created. The formal upright style requires no wrapping, however the cascade style requires many months of considerable training.
The process of wiring adds stress along the trunk or branch, so proceed with caution. Doing it the wrong way can mean, if worse comes to worst, a dead tree, or more often a cracked branch. Moreover, it is possible to wrap it too closely, or you may choose the wrong months to start the training. If this takes place the tree will get a scar that takes a long time to heal, and there is also the possibility of the tree dying.
Before you tackle your actual tree, practice with a basic wooden pole or small tree branch. This will assist you in getting a feel for the wire and will help you develop the agility necessary to wrap a branch while holding it. As soon as you are comfortable hanging on to the branch one-handed while wrapping with your other hand, not pulling or bending anything expect the wrapped part, you can then move on to the bonsai tree.
First, you have to pick the most appropriate wire for your project. Copper and aluminum are the two favorite options, although copper is thought to be more attractive during the lengthy training period. When wrapping a bonsai, do not ever employ steel, only annealed copper wire due to possible toxicity to particular species of bonsai. Aluminum is a lot more flexible, so it’s easier to use for an individual who is new at this kind of project. While copper is normally less flexible, it can scar the tree if it is not wrapped correctly. As a rule of thumb, opt for wire that is 1/3 of the branch’s thickness.
Well placed little stresses along the tree trunk or branch are what allows the wire to change the shape of the tree. Consequently the wire needs to be stronger as compared with the tree trunk or branch; if not, the wire will bend and not the tree.
Give yourself lots of wrapping practice sessions using branches of a comparable kind of tree until you feel comfortable with the whole process. You should try out different wires on your practice branch to see the outcome before proceeding to the actual tree that you want to train. For doing the full tree many different thicknesses will be required and you should practice using each and every of them.
Wiring a bonsai is a skill that requires a lot of patience in order to master. Do not be discouraged, however, because if you are willing to take the time you can learn how to do this, and you’ll be so pleased with the results.
The cultivation of bonsai trees has been an Asian tradition for centuries, and is now enjoying popularity in western society as well. It’s important to learn some bonsai basics so you can watch your tree flourish. Check out Bonsai Trees for Beginners to get an introduction to this fascinating art.
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