Page 124 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

124 Creating your own bonsai

Create the basic skeleton

Clean the
wound and
cover with
sealant

Start by removing
the weakest stems
5 and spindly growth 6 7

Thin out congested trunks. This azalea Carefully remove the weakest growth Treat the wound (see pp.108–109). The
has an unsightly clump of six or seven with branch pruners. Gradually thin out scar will form a small callus that will
stems originating from a single node the clump, continually assessing the eventually become less obvious. The
near the base of the second trunk, which tree’s overall structure until just two thinned tree now has a pleasing branch
needs to be reduced down to just two. strong, well-positioned stems remain. division with a natural-looking V-shape.

Six shoots from
one node grow Two horizontal
in all directions branches create
8 9 a clear framework
Thin out crowded branch tips. It may Horizontal branches can help to create
be difficult to decide which are the best a good structural skeleton. Here, the
placed pair: always remove branches shoots that remain are relatively thin,
growing directly up or down, back into but they are nicely placed and separate
the tree, or any that are very strong. in a pleasing, well-balanced V-shape.