Page 51 - Tài liệu Ebook cây cảnh Bonsai Basics

TRAINING BONSAI 53

PRUNING

Whatever the growing technique, the as these you should have wiring tools,
purpose of pruning is always to control which are described in detail on page 63.
the growth of the tree by managing the
development of branches, leaves and
later its fruits (by thinning out). This is Pruning for shape
why pruning is so important throughout To a large extent, the quality of a bonsai
the life of the bonsai. As with fruit trees, depends upon this. Pruning should be
we must distinguish between pruning to carried out very early on trees grown
form the shape of the tree and on the from seed or propagated vegetatively
other hand for its care and maintenance. (from cuttings, grafting or layering).
Both need special equipment for the However, it can be done much later on a
deJicate operations involved. tree collected from the wild.
As a basic rule, always cut back one of

Pruning equipment
A set of good scissors or clippers, both
efficient and well designed, is essential to
produce trees which conform to the
aesthetics of bons.ai.
Branches should be cut with a pair of
strong cutters and sometimes (older
branches, for instance), a pruning saw.
There are two types of scissors, those
with strong, thick blades and large,
broad handles and those with short
blades and long, straight handles. The
former are for cutting leaves and the
latter for nipping buds.
The above are the general, all-purpose Like any good tree surgeon, you should have a
tools you should have for bonsai. As well complete set of tools.

Bonsai pruning tools: top, bud clippers; left, ordi- Knife-saw with fold-away blade: a must for cutting
nary scissors; below, branch cutters. larger branches which cannot be cut with cutters.