Page 44 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2016Q4

I see in this case, you chose to create a hole in the
branch instead of a deep groove, usually reinforced
with a spline of thick wire.
It is an invention of mine for very hard woods such
as yew and olive. In this case, the branch to be bent
was very thick, Yew wood is very hard and stiff, and
the deadwood adds to its strength. I opted for my
master’s technique which is to clear wood from the
interior part of the branch. Masahiko Kimura taught
me this technique, which for me is unsurpassed, but I
also made an oval hole that reduces and weakens the
fiber even more.
What measures do you take to protect the live
portion of the branch?
The bark and deadwood is first treated with propolis
to help with dehydration. Then I wrap raffia around
and through the branch and apply thick, 5 mm copper
wire around the branch. I use natural raffia and not
synthetic tape, so the bark can continue to exchange
gasses with the environment.
What is propolis and how is it applied?
Propolis or bee glue, is a resin made by bees with
antibiotic insecticide and fungicide activity used as a
sealant. It helps prevent dehydration of the live branch.
Propolis is brushed on to the bark and deadwood
creating a natural second skin for the tree. Raffia is
then applied as usual. Propolis is not known in Japan
but in Europe it was once used as a filler, mixed with
wax for tree surgery on monumental trees. It was
expensive so it fell into disuse with the advent of
chemistry; Now it is coming back due to the organic
Top and Middle; The detailed movement. For me it is very valid and we use it a lot
wiring proceeds until all the in Italy.
branches and sub branches Why is raffia necessary and is it the best material
are wired and positioned. for this technique?
Lower Middle; This container
was chosen for il Nettuno. The raffia adheres tightly to the bark but allows it to
Bottom; The proud collectors, breathe. It also protects the bark from damage by allow-
Antonio Villena della Spagna, ing the wire spirals to slide during the bending.
wife Gigi and the newly potted After the branch is protected with raffia and you
il Nettuno.
are ready to bend the branch, what are your thinking
about as you perform the bend?
I prefer to bend by hand. In this way I “feel” the bend
and realize how far I can go. It’s a feeling… and I’m not
afraid because I have never had a branch break with
this technique.
With a lever and the help of my assistants, I force-
fully bent the branch until it is in the desired position.
The technique allows bends otherwise impossible for
such a large, thick branch and distributes the forces
evenly so as not to break, preventing the loss of the
branch. It is a difficult task that pushes the limit of
How much deadwood do you remove to make the possibilities, therefore it should be performed only on
branch easy to bend? How do you know it is enough very vigorous specimens.
to bend the branch? Do you try to bend the branch all at once? Are there
Difficult to answer because it is very variable. I would times when a branch is bent a little at a time?
say in general two-thirds needs to be removed, but by Some do it a little at a time, but I think it’s better to
bending and feeling the tension, I discern if it is suf- bend all at once. I believe bending a little at a time is too
ficient. stressful for the plant.

42 | BCI | October/November/December 2016