Page 103 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Looking after your first bonsai 103

Create a strong framework

1 Remove the dead branches
to get a better idea of what
you can use to create the
tree. Dead twigs will snap
off easily in your fingers,
just by rubbing them.

2 Use pruners to take out the
larger dead shoots. Branches
die off if they don’t get the
right combination of water,
light, and fertilizer; thinning
out crowded areas can help to
strengthen your tree just by
letting in more light. Weak
branches may also die if
stronger ones are allowed to
dominate, so aim to prevent
this from occurring again.

3 Remove any unattractive
branches. This includes
shoots growing back into the 1 2
center of the tree, and those
that grow directly upward
or that are too straight. Also Make sure the main
framework is set
look at any areas where
before attacking
more than two branches the straggly growth
emerge from the same
junction (node), and simplify
the complicated structure.
Imagine an idealized
branching structure, and
work toward achieving it.

4 Without the unnecessary
branches your tree should Nodes with more
look a lot better, with a much than two branches
are radically thinned
more powerful structure.
When pruning bonsai, always
start by creating a strong
framework before you tackle
vigorous leggy growth: if
you accidentally take off
the wrong branch, young
flexible shoots may be
repositioned with wire to
fill any gaps in your design. 3 4