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 

#hagodniDandoy