Bonsai Tips: Unwanted Branch

Tips on taking out an unwanted branch and making it useful in the future as another material.

- use a knife or box cutter to make a circular wound around the branch taking out the bark

- using a shear, cut the wooden part inside 

- remove unwanted branches, and plant - In this case, the lowest branch have been removed and was planted up to the wound and roots are expected there too.

- best results if planted at least 1 inch on top of a tile to force the roots to grow outwards

Remember:

- roots grow from between the bark and the wooden part of the branch. With this technique, you are ensured that you will have a wider nebari than the trunk even at the early stage.

- to choose a branch like this with several secondaries.  This cutting is already given with the 1-2-3 branches. Remember though to prune the 2nd branch and up regularly to keep the 1st as the thickest branch.

Material used is a Ficus microcarpa. 

*** I do not worry about the wound left on the mother tree as it will heal and/or will leave a scar that will add character to it.

#MangyanBonsai 

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Mats: Kapok

Back scratcher, anyone?

This will become a bonsai someday. It has been with me for the past two years. Have been wired, neglected and lost all the branches. Back to a shapeless, two-meter long with three-inches driameter stick again after six months of being unattended. Originally, it was pen-sized less than two years ago. 


Observations:

• easy to grow, as trunk gets fat very fast 

  

  from Google

• branches needs to be unwired after about two months
• lower branches dies back as soon as the apex gets too strong and foliage covers them
• somewhat brittle but wounds heal

No fertilizers were applied, watered very seldom and have been covered from sunlight most of the day. 

Common name: Kapok, Buybuy, Bulak

Scientific name: Ceiba pentandra; most likely a relative of Ceiba speciosa.

#MangyanBonsai

#hagodniDandoy

Mats: Red Balete

Thrice wired in the last 20 months or so. Potbound and wild kaya isinabay na ang repotting. Removed 5-10% of the roots only dahil maluwag naman sa loob ng pot. Added manure and vermicast for faster development.

Thanks for the cold Typhoon Tisoy, I did this in 3 hours.

Cn: RedBal, Red balete, balete

Sn: Ficus concinna

Originally, may dalawang maliit na butas. Pinalaki ko ng about 1 1/4 ang size.

Kinailangan ng katulong sa pagbubuhat.

#MangyanBonsai
#hagodniDandoy

Buhay Bonsai Artist: Formosa Gardens

We visited Formosa Bonsai Garden today and here's what they have. Grab your hankies ladies and gents, dont drool!

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#FormosaGardens

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Mats Update: Banyan

In less than 3 months the branches have fused already, but not yet firm. The arrow grafted branch have grown and now fills up the hole.

Apologies if I have no "before" pic.

Common name: Banyan, Tigerbark, Microcarpa

Scientific name: Ficus microcarpa