EBIHARA BRANCH RELOCATION

[Velodog2]

It seems I saw something similar someplace maybe BT a long time ago. Regardless I wondered also about how the stub stays alive and viable for the graft since it seems like the sap flow would have to reverse itself in it once separated. Kind of like planting a cutting upside down and expecting it to live. But if it works it works. Maybe there is a limit to how long the stub can be and still survive. It might be interesting to cut the stub long, say a couple of inches, and see it it dies back partially, which would establish a maximum length.

I have a kiyohime cascade that is a perfect candidate for this with a decently developed branch located one node down from where it needs to be. As it is it is a bar branch and really needs to go anyway, but I need a back branch near that location. I keep thinking about a thread graft but this would really be ideal if it would work.

 

[Lazylightningny]

an ingenious technique. Looks like you pulled it off! (knock on wood)

 

[MACH5]

About four weeks ago I checked on the graft. The cut paste was cracking and a good sign of the callous was rolling. When I removed the cut paste it was very clear the graft union was far from fused. I covered it all back up again with cut paste.

Today I checked it once again. Only four weeks later the cut paste had separated yet again which continued to indicate strong callousing. After removing the paste to take a closer look, the story now was quite different. From what I could see, the grafted branch has now fused all around its perimeter to the parent trunk. It is not clear how much but definitely the cambial layers have now made contact. I will leave it be until next year, at which time several cuts will be made progressively to begin the process of weaning off the branch from its original trunk, which has been sustaining it all along, and start making it ever more dependent to the parent trunk. I believe it's too risky to cut off the trunk in one fell swoop.

More and better photos to come in the fall.

 

[SeanS]

Mirrigioli just moved a branch, not sure if his FB page will be accessible from the link

https://www.facebook.com/100001469535557/posts/4521802321212041

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3885447918227916

 

[Canada Bonsai]

meh, I always and half-jokingly say "tridents are form of cheating"

beautiful accomplishment anyways, of course

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

I recieved a few more of these species books yesterday, and was pleasently surprised to find this branch relocation grafting technique covered in detail in the maple book.

Additionally, there was many other interesting grafts and air layers I haven't seen before. The trident book shows a very heavy apex get sawed off of a large tree, and then planted as a cutting with a few seedling root grafts to support it.

Crazy stuff. I love it.

 

[MACH5]

Recently repotted with he help of @Tidal Bonsai. The peg graft (oh boy I hate that name!) continues to develop well. So far so good and looks like it is fused if only slightly. Another season should do it. The branching of the man trunk continues to improve but a long ways still. Two thread grafts were done several weeks ago as seen by the funny loops.

 

[cockroach]

So we have upgraded form making amazing bonsai to bonsai surgery. What's next?!

 

[ABCarve]

Quite amazing Sergio!

 

[Cajunrider]

Thanks for an educational thread.

 

[dbonsaiw]

So cool

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Recently repotted with he help of @Tidal Bonsai. The peg graft (oh boy I hate that name!) continues to develop well. So far so good and looks like it is fused if only slightly. Another season should do it. The branching of the man trunk continues to improve but a long ways still. Two thread grafts were done several weeks ago as seen by the funny loops.

View attachment 428635

View attachment 428636

View attachment 428637

The whole time we were repotting this tree I was saying in my head "don't hit the graft, don't hit the graft, don't hit the graft!"

 

[MACH5]

The whole time we were repotting this tree I was saying in my head "don't hit the graft, don't hit the graft, don't hit the graft!"

It's a cumbersome tree to handle due to its large volume! Not sure that I would want to attempt it by myself at this point. Not worth the risk. I remember many years ago, due to my carelessness, I broke an approach graft on my arakawa. Set me back a whole entire year Approach grafts are one thing, but peg grafts are a whole different ballgame. This year will be its third and most likely will go into 2023 before it is completed.

 

[Mapleminx]

I love this thread, it’s so fascinating to see it step by step and so gratifying to watch all the hard work undoubtedly paying off. Fingers crossed for success but then it’s Sergio…of course he’s going to succeed .

 

[MACH5]

This year entered the third and last phase of this operation. In an effort to start weaning off the branch from its grafted roots and increase its dependency on the parent trunk, I made a cut taking about a quarter of the diameter off of its small trunk. This was done late June of this year. See below lower right.






Now, in mid September, another cut was made taking about 2/3 of the trunk off. The plan is to completely sever it next year in the spring after the tree hardens off. At that point the grafted branch will be fed and sustained by the parent trunk just like any other branch. By looking closely at the graft union, it looks now that it is well fused. But to be safe, I will wait until next year to make the final cut.

I cannot claim success yet but feeling very positive that it will work out.

 

[Hartinez]

This year entered the third and last phase of this operation. In an effort to start weaning off the branch from its grafted roots and increase its dependency on the parent trunk, I made a cut taking about a quarter of the diameter off of its small trunk. This was done late June of this year. See below lower right.

View attachment 455617




Now, in mid September, another cut was made taking about 2/3 of the trunk off. The plan is to completely sever it next year in the spring after the tree hardens off. At that point the grafted branch will be fed and sustained by the parent trunk just like any other branch. By looking closely at the graft union, it looks now that it is well fused. But to be safe, I will wait until next year to make the final cut.

I cannot claim success yet but feeling very positive that it will work out.

View attachment 455618

View attachment 455620

 

[Nybonsai12]

You deserve an MD license plate for this surgery. Great work as always Serg.

 

[MACH5]

You deserve an MD license plate for this surgery. Great work as always Serg.

LOL well not sure about that but thanks Bri!

 

[namnhi]

Look at that thing... full of leaves and not one burn. I can only dream of that. I live through you when it comes to JM.

 

[MACH5]

Early spring update. This year the primary focus will be in building the apical regions of the tallest and smallest trunks. Very strong tree that buds back easily. In part due to its vigor from growing in a box. Next year it will finally go back into a shallow oval bonsai pot and start to slow it down once again.

The peg graft is almost complete. I will most likely cut if off completely later this growing season. Upon close inspection it looks well fused all around but will exercise a bit more patience.