technique

Moving branches Advanced grafting techniques are applied to a Ficus with great success Tex and photography JosE 0 RIvera

Jose Rivera of Puerto Rico was inspired by the work of Nobuichi Urushibata who used adV-nced graft techniques to reposition large branches Ficus are known as strong and vigorous trees on which many grafting e ltperi ments are carried out Will this tree also take kindly to this special technique Jose takes up the challenge

ES they have middotrlooked

Bonsai Convention o~ 19 _

satisfied with its strucU _ i~~u - ~~ - ~hTough a process of multiple trnnsfonna 01

Some time after the wo) r - ~ sarro I was still not

Restyling the Ficus In January 2009 I began my first year of study at the European School of Bonsai in Puerto Rico organized by Master Salvatore Liporace I decided to use this opportunity of bringing along my Ficus to work on it and change its design As part of the work I eliminated a large root on the left side and also turned the tree 5 degrees to th e left I then left it to develop

As you can see in the first pictures the Ficushas its first two parallel branches extending out to form a cross which is not an ideal shape After observing the development of the tree for a period of time I decided to start a process that would improve its structure by moving one of the trees lower branches I had decided that grafti ng was the one possible technique I could use to fix this problem

The tree afte~ he workshop ith Farrand Bloch

Urushibatas technique First I developed aerial roots on each of the two lower branches the roots of which grew into small pots This enabled me to decide which branch better suited grafting

I saw this procedure before in the work carried out by Japanese bonsai Master Nobuichi Urushibata in an earlier issue of Bonsai Focus (MayJune 2008) In this edition he shows how branches can be separated and placed elsewhere on the branch using whips that grow roots and feed the branch

After eleven months of developing the aerial roots they were healthy and strong I decided to start the process of moving one of these primary branches The photographs that follow show how this was achieved

ashy t~ t vl ~ Ir - (

~ bull ~ ~ i J

1 flmiddot lt1) 1bull I ~~5 ~ r~

-~ - i~ ~ ~ 1 ( bull-

- ~~~~~ f shyft ~middotmiddotr ~1 jj ~ r ( lt

6 lt+shy~ ~~-

II The tree it 1999 its first tlO parallel orancnes

xtend ou t ~o form a cross

Totally new design Using advanced grafting techniques was just the beginning of a new design process for the tree Other things needed to be done such as aligning its apex with the base of the trunk lower its overall height and restyle some of the other branches

I decided to move the branch on the right of the tree 25 cm 1 lower on the trunk This process entails cutting off the branch making a hole in the trunk with a drill bit and then grafting the branch back on the tree Through this process the branch will be temporarily fed by the aerial root that was previously developed until the grafted branch and trunk merge and scar Fixing the branch tightly to the trunk is a critical step in this process If the branch has any movement during the healing period the whole process could fail

bon~Q I 35Focus

Detail oi e ai r roots whcn an gtomg in separate containers Thev will feed he branches when they are removed

A clean eu is necessary to make the opera tion a success Detail of he cut off branch together 1

feecling wnl ~eT the b aneh has bee detached from tI-~ runk a nng of lhe bark IS removed rom its cut en This will be inserted later to lhe new h e 1 will mafe i the nunk

After removing the cambiwr I measm he iameter of he cut end WI h r-allipe3 iO as o detemme the size of the bo ro m3JCe in

the unk

Here using a Forstner ddIl bi the type typically used t make itchen cabine s

=

I aT

Th

I

Fix the branch tightly to the trunk After the branch IS fi xed m position I apply a layer of sphagnum moss to the joint to keep it moist while healing

bonsai I 37Focus

I needed to address another concern I had with the left branch that Id left in its original position This branch was directing its growth upwards and I needed it to grow laterally I use a technique I learned at a demonstration in Taiwan in which a fine cut is made on the underside of the branch and close to the trunk This allowed me to lower the branch without the need of using the traditional inverted v cut I also used this technique on the second left branch to fix the direction of growth upwards

FinaIIy As I have demonstrated here the correct use of grafting could drastically transform a tree that might have a defunct structure or maybe lacks branches If carried out correctly it is also a very satisfying process

Should you wish to see more techniques I have used on other trees please visit my blog Bonsai en el Tropico (Bonsai in the Tropics) at wwwbonsaieneltropicocom

To promote the he ling process sphagn m moss is - ne srructure of the ee is slowly reaching he applied around the wound Tnen to prevent the moss pos- on I had in mind However here IS s ll mud from drying out I apply a wate ng sys em which keeps 0 do on Its styling it mois

me months la ter I e iminated he aerial root of the leftbranc as it vas no longer needed in the process the u der c ts on the branches had heale and the grafte branch was merging Vith the ma in runk th nks to aerial roots that developed a t the

base of t e joint

Detail of the healed w und where the lowered branch was once growing

The tree afte~ he workshop ith Farrand Bloch

Urushibatas technique First I developed aerial roots on each of the two lower branches the roots of which grew into small pots This enabled me to decide which branch better suited grafting

I saw this procedure before in the work carried out by Japanese bonsai Master Nobuichi Urushibata in an earlier issue of Bonsai Focus (MayJune 2008) In this edition he shows how branches can be separated and placed elsewhere on the branch using whips that grow roots and feed the branch

After eleven months of developing the aerial roots they were healthy and strong I decided to start the process of moving one of these primary branches The photographs that follow show how this was achieved

ashy t~ t vl ~ Ir - (

~ bull ~ ~ i J

1 flmiddot lt1) 1bull I ~~5 ~ r~

-~ - i~ ~ ~ 1 ( bull-

- ~~~~~ f shyft ~middotmiddotr ~1 jj ~ r ( lt

6 lt+shy~ ~~-

II The tree it 1999 its first tlO parallel orancnes

xtend ou t ~o form a cross

Totally new design Using advanced grafting techniques was just the beginning of a new design process for the tree Other things needed to be done such as aligning its apex with the base of the trunk lower its overall height and restyle some of the other branches

I decided to move the branch on the right of the tree 25 cm 1 lower on the trunk This process entails cutting off the branch making a hole in the trunk with a drill bit and then grafting the branch back on the tree Through this process the branch will be temporarily fed by the aerial root that was previously developed until the grafted branch and trunk merge and scar Fixing the branch tightly to the trunk is a critical step in this process If the branch has any movement during the healing period the whole process could fail

bon~Q I 35Focus

Detail oi e ai r roots whcn an gtomg in separate containers Thev will feed he branches when they are removed

A clean eu is necessary to make the opera tion a success Detail of he cut off branch together 1

feecling wnl ~eT the b aneh has bee detached from tI-~ runk a nng of lhe bark IS removed rom its cut en This will be inserted later to lhe new h e 1 will mafe i the nunk

After removing the cambiwr I measm he iameter of he cut end WI h r-allipe3 iO as o detemme the size of the bo ro m3JCe in

the unk

Here using a Forstner ddIl bi the type typically used t make itchen cabine s

=

I aT

Th

I

Fix the branch tightly to the trunk After the branch IS fi xed m position I apply a layer of sphagnum moss to the joint to keep it moist while healing

bonsai I 37Focus

I needed to address another concern I had with the left branch that Id left in its original position This branch was directing its growth upwards and I needed it to grow laterally I use a technique I learned at a demonstration in Taiwan in which a fine cut is made on the underside of the branch and close to the trunk This allowed me to lower the branch without the need of using the traditional inverted v cut I also used this technique on the second left branch to fix the direction of growth upwards

FinaIIy As I have demonstrated here the correct use of grafting could drastically transform a tree that might have a defunct structure or maybe lacks branches If carried out correctly it is also a very satisfying process

Should you wish to see more techniques I have used on other trees please visit my blog Bonsai en el Tropico (Bonsai in the Tropics) at wwwbonsaieneltropicocom

To promote the he ling process sphagn m moss is - ne srructure of the ee is slowly reaching he applied around the wound Tnen to prevent the moss pos- on I had in mind However here IS s ll mud from drying out I apply a wate ng sys em which keeps 0 do on Its styling it mois

me months la ter I e iminated he aerial root of the leftbranc as it vas no longer needed in the process the u der c ts on the branches had heale and the grafte branch was merging Vith the ma in runk th nks to aerial roots that developed a t the

base of t e joint

Detail of the healed w und where the lowered branch was once growing

Detail oi e ai r roots whcn an gtomg in separate containers Thev will feed he branches when they are removed

A clean eu is necessary to make the opera tion a success Detail of he cut off branch together 1

feecling wnl ~eT the b aneh has bee detached from tI-~ runk a nng of lhe bark IS removed rom its cut en This will be inserted later to lhe new h e 1 will mafe i the nunk

After removing the cambiwr I measm he iameter of he cut end WI h r-allipe3 iO as o detemme the size of the bo ro m3JCe in

the unk

Here using a Forstner ddIl bi the type typically used t make itchen cabine s

=

I aT

Th

I

Fix the branch tightly to the trunk After the branch IS fi xed m position I apply a layer of sphagnum moss to the joint to keep it moist while healing

bonsai I 37Focus

I needed to address another concern I had with the left branch that Id left in its original position This branch was directing its growth upwards and I needed it to grow laterally I use a technique I learned at a demonstration in Taiwan in which a fine cut is made on the underside of the branch and close to the trunk This allowed me to lower the branch without the need of using the traditional inverted v cut I also used this technique on the second left branch to fix the direction of growth upwards

FinaIIy As I have demonstrated here the correct use of grafting could drastically transform a tree that might have a defunct structure or maybe lacks branches If carried out correctly it is also a very satisfying process

Should you wish to see more techniques I have used on other trees please visit my blog Bonsai en el Tropico (Bonsai in the Tropics) at wwwbonsaieneltropicocom

To promote the he ling process sphagn m moss is - ne srructure of the ee is slowly reaching he applied around the wound Tnen to prevent the moss pos- on I had in mind However here IS s ll mud from drying out I apply a wate ng sys em which keeps 0 do on Its styling it mois

me months la ter I e iminated he aerial root of the leftbranc as it vas no longer needed in the process the u der c ts on the branches had heale and the grafte branch was merging Vith the ma in runk th nks to aerial roots that developed a t the

base of t e joint

Detail of the healed w und where the lowered branch was once growing

Fix the branch tightly to the trunk After the branch IS fi xed m position I apply a layer of sphagnum moss to the joint to keep it moist while healing

bonsai I 37Focus

I needed to address another concern I had with the left branch that Id left in its original position This branch was directing its growth upwards and I needed it to grow laterally I use a technique I learned at a demonstration in Taiwan in which a fine cut is made on the underside of the branch and close to the trunk This allowed me to lower the branch without the need of using the traditional inverted v cut I also used this technique on the second left branch to fix the direction of growth upwards

FinaIIy As I have demonstrated here the correct use of grafting could drastically transform a tree that might have a defunct structure or maybe lacks branches If carried out correctly it is also a very satisfying process

Should you wish to see more techniques I have used on other trees please visit my blog Bonsai en el Tropico (Bonsai in the Tropics) at wwwbonsaieneltropicocom

To promote the he ling process sphagn m moss is - ne srructure of the ee is slowly reaching he applied around the wound Tnen to prevent the moss pos- on I had in mind However here IS s ll mud from drying out I apply a wate ng sys em which keeps 0 do on Its styling it mois

me months la ter I e iminated he aerial root of the leftbranc as it vas no longer needed in the process the u der c ts on the branches had heale and the grafte branch was merging Vith the ma in runk th nks to aerial roots that developed a t the

base of t e joint

Detail of the healed w und where the lowered branch was once growing

I needed to address another concern I had with the left branch that Id left in its original position This branch was directing its growth upwards and I needed it to grow laterally I use a technique I learned at a demonstration in Taiwan in which a fine cut is made on the underside of the branch and close to the trunk This allowed me to lower the branch without the need of using the traditional inverted v cut I also used this technique on the second left branch to fix the direction of growth upwards

FinaIIy As I have demonstrated here the correct use of grafting could drastically transform a tree that might have a defunct structure or maybe lacks branches If carried out correctly it is also a very satisfying process

Should you wish to see more techniques I have used on other trees please visit my blog Bonsai en el Tropico (Bonsai in the Tropics) at wwwbonsaieneltropicocom

To promote the he ling process sphagn m moss is - ne srructure of the ee is slowly reaching he applied around the wound Tnen to prevent the moss pos- on I had in mind However here IS s ll mud from drying out I apply a wate ng sys em which keeps 0 do on Its styling it mois

me months la ter I e iminated he aerial root of the leftbranc as it vas no longer needed in the process the u der c ts on the branches had heale and the grafte branch was merging Vith the ma in runk th nks to aerial roots that developed a t the

base of t e joint

Detail of the healed w und where the lowered branch was once growing

On )anualY 2011 restyled the tree changed its pesinon in the pot and picked a ne branch that will better serve as its apex and align with thE oase of the runk By March its foliage was deveioping fas t and m middot branching had started to emergE

In september 2011 transferred he ref to a new pot At this point the tree only needed some of its branches styling to enhance the look of its new structure The whole transformation process took 2 years and J can say that I consider it was a very sansfying transforrnanon

bonsa I 39Focus

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Standing proud y nex 0 my Vorilt t e brand se ng and ramification have really improved

bull bull bull bull bull bull

bullbull

bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull

i

With the aid of advanced grafting techniques I could drastically change this tree

into a fine bonsai

The tree seen from the Ie side The tree in 2012

bonsai I 41Focus

bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bullbull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull I

Standing proud y nex 0 my Vorilt t e brand se ng and ramification have really improved

bull bull bull bull bull bull

bullbull

bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull

i

With the aid of advanced grafting techniques I could drastically change this tree

into a fine bonsai

The tree seen from the Ie side The tree in 2012

bonsai I 41Focus

bullbull

bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull bull

i

With the aid of advanced grafting techniques I could drastically change this tree

into a fine bonsai

The tree seen from the Ie side The tree in 2012

bonsai I 41Focus