How to wire bonsai tree
When to wire bonsai
The bonsai wire size should be about 1/3 of the branch or trunk size you are bending.
This is important.
And there are two kinds of wire, aluminum and copper.
Aluminum wire is easier for beginners to use because it won't get hard like copper so you can reshape it.
Copper wire is the one basically used to wire and shape bonsai. Hard and need some practice to get used to use it.
it is possible to wire bonsai any time of the year, but...
- try to avoid the time when the tree is growing new leaves or branches.
- try to avoid winter time (around December to February)
the reasons why to avoid wiring in winter
- branches gets hard and are easier to break
- the tree sleeps in winter so the wiring won't work best
- wiring creates some kind of risk that can cause the tree to have difficulty surviving the winter
Bonsai wiring basic knowledge
How to wire bonsai
Wire should bend outside of the point you want to curve so it can hold the
branch or the trunk the best and prevent them from trying to go back to the original shape.
If single wiring is not effectively bending the branches or trunk, you could also double the wire to hold the shape you want better.
But avoid cross wiring on the trunk, as it blocks the sap going down the tree and can cause the damage to the tree.
(In general, use parallel wiring and avoid cross wiring. Only use cross wiring when there is not enough space where the wires can fit parallel.)
For the branches that split
Start bending the wire from the center. (red circle)
When to remove the wires
Once you have wired the tree, you must leave it on for at least 2 months to 3 years (depends on the tree growth).
The best time to remove the wires is just right before the wires start to cut into the tree.