Bonsai trees are miniature plants that require careful care, so the wiring process is crucial for successful bonsai tree development. To successfully keep your bonsai tree alive, knowing how to wire is essential.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to wire a Bonsai Tree by looking at the steps involved. You’ll know how to correctly wire up your Bonsai Tree by following these easy steps.
Why Should You Wire a Bonsai Tree?
Wiring them is an essential part of any bonsai tree’s life cycle. It can shape the tree into many different forms, perfect for someone who wants to have a little more control over their bonsai tree.
A wire is also essential in keeping branches from breaking or bending too far out of shape after flexing into the desired position.
Applying wire to your bonsai tree throughout its growing stage will guide them to grow correctly and create your desired design elements for the tree soon.
Therefore, wiring a bonsai tree is very vital in its growing stage.
When Should You Apply Wiring For Your Bonsai Tree?
Bonsai trees require wiring to be done on an occasional basis. The perfect time to wire your bonsai tree is when it is on the juvenile stage that has already developed its root system.
When you try to apply wiring for your bonsai tree when they are still young, you still have the advantage to achieve the desired shape you want for your bonsai tree.
Young bonsai trees still have a lot of growth potential, and they are still flexible enough to do bending while not breaking their branches.
Techniques On How Wiring Should Do
Wiring a bonsai tree can be a little bit crafty to learn.
You can do two techniques to wire your bonsai tree to achieve your aesthetic goal.
These are Double-Wiring Technique and Single-Wiring Technique.
These techniques can be used both when wiring your bonsai. Both methods can provide support for the branches of your plant.
Double-wiring Technique is the recommended method for you to do. This technique wire the two branches of the bonsai that have the same thickness near each other. You’ll use a single wire for this technique to achieve.
The wire you’ll be using has a ⅓ thickness of the branch. It is the rule of thumb that you should take note.
It should be thick to hold the branch in its specified position.
In contrast, those branches that have not been wired together will be wired separately. It is called a Single-wiring Technique.
Make sure that those branches will be wired that are intended to your desired shape before you try to bend them.
These are the techniques you should do to wire the branches of your bonsai tree correctly.
Step by Step Guide to Wire a Bonsai
This time, you will now start to wire your bonsai. Follow the steps provided below and note all the essential things you should do and shouldn’t do to avoid any errors in the future.
Without further ado, grab your things up, and let’s start the task!
STEP 1: You should know when to start to wire
Before anything else, I encourage you to read the entire blog first before step one.
It lets you know some info you have missed if you skip it. But if you already know the basic information regarding wiring techniques, you can now read step one with no doubt.
Step one is easy to determine.
As I said from the start, the perfect time to wire your plants is when they are reached a juvenile stage. It is the stage that they cannot be fragile since their branches are smooth and can be bent with no breaking.
NOTE: Do not wire an ill or distressed bonsai. It is just a simple reminder for you to remember. But determining when you start to wire your bonsai tree is a factor you should consider before doing it. Know what type of bonsai tree you have in your home!
Knowing the type of bonsai you have makes it easy for you to determine what season you’ll wire your bonsai. Coniferous bonsai, a type of tree with needle-like leaves that don’t change color in the fall, can be wired from the end of autumn and up to the start of winter. If you start the wiring in mentioned season, the growing process of your coniferous bonsai tree will be slowed, and there will be less sap high in the branches, which will increase their flexibility. On the other hand, the Bonsai Tree, considered deciduous, a type of tree with broad leaves and can change color in the fall, can be wired in early spring before its new buds appear. It can help you get your bonsai tree in proper shape and optimize its growth in the coming season.
STEP 2: Select Where You Start to Wire
Once you are done determining when you should start to wire, this time, you are now going to select the best part where you start to wire your bonsai plant.
As a tip when wiring an entire bonsai tree, I recommend you to work first from its trunk to the primary branches, and then you start wiring the secondary branches if the former is done.
In contrast, selecting the correct part where you will start wiring your bonsai plant will allow you to imagine your bonsai’s final picture. You can apply wire to any part of your tree you wish to shape in a new direction.
With this, the double-wiring technique is possible to do when you want to reshape your bonsai.
STEP 3: Apply the wire to your Bonsai Tree
Apply the two wiring techniques when you are now in this step.
Double-wiring works from the trunk upward. Wrap first from the base of one branch to the tip before beginning to wrap around the second branch in the same manner.
Single-wiring has the same technique, but you will not wrap the second branch of your tree.
If you’re going to wrap the trunk, place the wire flush with the base deep into the soil until it feels steady. Continue up the trunk after coiling twice around the base.
Remember: Always start at the thickest part of the tree and work your way up and out.
Wrap the wire around the trunk twice and work your way to the tips when wiring branches. This matter can do both wiring techniques.
Angle your wire at a 45-degree angle to allow the tree to grow in the desired direction while increasing in diameter. Make sure to wrap with even spacing.
STEP 4: Do the Bending
Once the previous step is done, this is the time that you’ll bend your desired branch to achieve your desired shape.
Hold the branch on the outside, and gently bend and secure it into position by applying pressure to the inside of the branch.
STEP 5: Growing Process
After doing the bending, it is now time to let your bonsai continue its growing process.
Make sure to place your tree in a shaded area and apply fertilizer as plants need it.
When engaging with deciduous trees, keep an eye on them and unwrap the tree as soon as it outgrows the wire.
Otherwise, it can cause a scar to the bark of your tree if the wire is left unattended for an extended period. Being a responsible plant owner is the only key to avoiding errors.
STEP 6: Remove the Wires When it is time
When you determine that it is time to remove the wire from your bonsai, you can now remove it carefully and gently as your tree will be undergoing a healing process afterward.
It is better to cut the wires along every coil with a wire cutter since unwinding can damage its weak branches.
Don’t worry about the wire bite. It always happens from the others!
With pliers, carefully peel the wire away until you have enough space to cut without gnashing into your tree.
Closing Note
It’s essential to know how to wire a bonsai tree before you’re ready to start caring for it. Without the knowledge, it can be challenging to identify the roots and branches of your bonsai tree.
Related Articles:
bonsai-training-wire-what-is-the-best-wire-for-bonsai
https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/styling/wiring
https://www.bonsaidirect.co.uk/bonsai-care-advice/wiring-guides/