MAINTAINING YOUR BONSAI

WIRING

Wiring is the process of wrapping wire around the trunk or branches to shape the tree as it grows. Annealed copper wire or copper coloured aluminium wire is the best as it is not stiff and can be twisted around easily. The branches can be easily shaped using this type of wire by changing their direction accordingly. The wire used should be 1/3 the diameter of the branch. The wire must be anchored in the soil properly so that twisting them around the branches becomes convenient. The loops of the wire should be at about an angle of 45-degree angle to the branch or trunk. The wire must barely touch the branch but not press it. Do not wire over leaves. If you want to twist a branch, make the wire spiral in the same direction as the twist so that it will get tighter when you twist.

After the wire is applied move the branch into place. First decide where you want the branch to be placed and then use thumb pressure to stabilise the branch into the place. Do not bend back and forth because you might damage the cambium layer. Do not water the tree before you wire it. After you wire the tree water it and protect it by keeping it away from wind and sunlight for atleast two days. Wiring can be done any time in the season but late winter or early spring is the best. It should be avoided when new fruits or flowers are opening because it damages them.

Don’t wire the tree if it is not healthy because wiring increases the stress on the branches, which then tend to die thus ending your efforts.