Page 33 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2015Q2

The Wonderboom style plant-
ing featured in this article was
constructed at the 3rd African
Convention in Durban 2011
Top left; A number of smaller
saplings that will become
future shorter trunks
Top right; Preparing the indi-
vidual trees by cleaning and
pruning roots and bending
branches into “elbows.”
Middle; The larger trees are
tied together to form the main
trunk.
Bottom; Done for now, the
planting in 2011.
They are also robust, vigorous and their leaves have
the ability to reduce in size considerably.
This particular planting was created with Ficus
natalensis, but some of the other indigenous varieties
like Ficus craterostoma or any of the thonningii group
would also be suitable.
Most species with similar characteristics would be
acceptable candidates to create a Wonderboom style.
It is also preferable to use cuttings from the same
mother plant as even small intra-species variations
can spoil the uniform appearance of the end result.
The best time to create this planting is during the
growing season. Select ten to fifteen, two- to five-year-
old saplings ranging from 10 to 25 mm in diameter.
Defoliate all the trees. Identify the areas where "elbow"
bends must be made and split or notch the branch if it
is not pliable enough to create a relatively sharp 90- to
120-degree bend. Apply raffia to these areas and wire
the trees. Carefully bend the branch to create natural
looking "elbows" using clamps and tie-wires where
necessary.
Select three to five trees that will fuse over time to
form the main trunk.

April/May/June 2015 | BCI | 31