How do you wire and what do you use to shape a bonsai tree?

Answer 1

You use copper wire to shape a bonsai tree. As far as how to wire it depends upon what you are trying to accomplish. You also need the right tools which are the medium-to-heavy wire, pliers (needle-nosed), and patience.

Much like a large tree you use copper wire to gradually "force" the limbs of the tree to "bend" a certain direction, and over time and growth creating the shape. Beware, and take care to not break the limb or not monitor the copper wire on the bark. It may over time as well rip into the bark and cause deformaties which could damage the appeal of the tree.

Answer 2

Rewyn is right on but just to add a bit, what you are trying to shape will depend on what you wire. Eventually you'd figure it out, but for example, if you are trying to adjust a limb, you also need to wire part of the trunk. It takes a good year to adjustment to work, at least, since the plant will deposit new wood only once a year.

Pruning has as much to do with forming the shape as wiring. You must know what you can and can not prune for each species. Bud location is important.

How are you going to overwinter the plants? Depending what you are growing will dictate the type of "winter" or dormancy they must have.

I suggest a few books to get you started.

Answer 3

You are receiving some strange advice. Your answers concerning wiring and trimming are on the Bonsai Care page of my site:
http://www.american-bonsai.com . You'll find it much easier to use annodized aluminum wire. You may only want to use 'pinching' instead of shears for trimming, but that's up to you.

Answer 4

Try these

Bonsai Tree Information: General Information about Bonsai Trees
Bonsai Tree Information Bonsai trees are often thought to have originated from ... species of trees and woody shrubs are suitable for training as bonsai, but if ...www.why-bonsai.com - 17k - Cached

Bonsai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
... of separate trees -- while actually being the branches of a tree planted on its side. ... is to plant the tree in a "training box;" this is often smaller ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai_tree - 77k - Cached

How To Make a Bonsai Tree - training, wiring, shaping
Often considered the most difficult training technique, wiring is used to bend the trunk and branches of a tree to the shape you would like your bonsai to take. ...www.canadiancountrywoman.com/garden/trainbonsai.php - 16k - Cached

Bonsai Tree Kit
... training Bonsai is ... Growing and training Bonsai Trees is a skillful art requiring ... need to grow your own Bonsai Trees and a very clear instruction ...find-me-a-gift.co.uk/.../work-gift/bonsai-tree-kit-black-version.html - 50k - Cached

SA Bonsai, Bonsai Software, Bonsai Pots, Bonsai Tools, Bonsai Trees For Sale, Bonsai Training, Bonsai Care
... word "Bonsai" (pronounced "bone sigh") is a Japanese word and means "a tree in a ... 1878, 1889 and in 1900 gave Bonsai trees some prominence and exposure. ...www.sabonsai.co.za - 13k - Cached

Bonsai Trees
Bonsai FAQ. ... How often should I water my bonsai tree? ... a relatively modern method of training bonsai trunks and branches into the ...www.bonsaiboy.com/faq.html - 17k - Cached

Training the Oak Bonsai Tree
... wet soil, unlike many bonsai trees that are hardy when pruned. ... Training the Oak Bonsai Tree Many bonsai enthusiasts like to grow trees that are ...www.gardeningideas.org/bonsai/training-oak.htm - 13k - Cached

BONSAI POT SHOP FROM GREEN DRAGON BONSAI - INDEX OF BONSAI POTS
... TRAINING POTS HANDMADE BONSAI POTS SHOHIN BONSAI POTS FREE UK DELIVERY OVER 95 ... Top quality ceramics for when your tree deserves to be ...greendragonbonsai.co.uk/BONSAI_POTS_GLAZED_UNGLAZED_GREEN_DRAGON_BONSAI... - 23k - Cached

Kaizen School of Bonsai
Private and group lessons, demonstrations, regular maintenance, and exhibition preparation services offered.www.kaizenbonsai.com - 28k - Cached

Bonsai Trees - Bonsai Tree Care - Bonsai Tools - Barwick Bonsai UK
... bonsai tree and use tried and tested packaging techniques to ... barwick bonsai bonsai tree training pots page. barwick bonsai sundries for bonsai page ...www.barwickbonsai.co.uk

Answer 5

I prefer the anodised aluminium wire, it's easier to work with. I'd suggest seeing someone who has the right expertise to be shown how to do it rather than being told how to do it. Check for Bonsai Societies near you.

Answer 6

Here is lots of info for you. Have fun.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=bonsai&fr=ush-ans

Answer 7

go and buy anouther pot and some soil and re-plant it and it will grow to the shape of the pot