Question on Lower JBP trunk development

[cheap_walmart_art]

So I have had my eye on getting another JBP in the next few months, so I've been looking around online and even at Eisei-en nursery here in TN and I have a quick question about what I see on a lot of JBP - especially shohin sized, or pre-bonsai. I notice that many of them look like they have been wired at the base and the trunk allowed to either grow over the wire, or the wire left to the point its really cut into the trunk. This looks like it results in bulbous growth and reverse taper in a lot of trees. I've attached some pics to ebay auctions to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Is this actually wire left on, or am I just misinterpreting how these things grow as they age?

 

[0soyoung]

You've got it.
It is a simple way to thicken the trunk quickly. That is why it is done.
The example in your last pic is pretty well done, IMHO. Often they look like barber poles / candy canes

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

You've got it.
It is a simple way to thicken the trunk quickly. That is why it is done.
The example in your last pic is pretty well done, IMHO. Often they look like barber poles / candy canes

I gotta say, I'm not a fan. If one were to use this technique on a JBP or purchase one that was done this way - what would be the chances of getting a Nebari that would "go" with said trunk? I'm guessing you'd have t pop it out of the pot or nursery container and put it in a grow box or ground and let it go unrestrained? Or is this species one that a little reverse taper is acceptable?

 

[Dav4]

I deliberately let the wire cut into my 2 year old JBP seedlings but will remove the wire before it gets swallowed up.

 

[Tbwilson33]

I deliberately let the wire cut into my 2 year old JBP seedlings but will remove the wire before it gets swallowed up.

And you do this because the result is a fatter trunk by the tree trying to heal it’s self?

 

[Thomas J.]

Most if not all of those look like crap. I have six yr old seedlings that look better than that ( see below) with no wiring at all, good size trunks for their age. Trees like the one shown with a fat bulbous trunk and then tapers down at the base line looks as awful as it can get, exactly the opposite of what it should look like wide at the base and tapering upward. goes to show that shortcuts in bonsai in many cases is worthless.

 

[Adair M]

Most if not all of those look like crap. I have six yr old seedlings that look better than that with no wiring at all, good size trunks for their age. Trees like the one shown with a fat bulbous trunk and then tapers down at the base line looks as awful as it can get, exactly the opposite of what it should look like wide at the base and tapering upward. goes to show that shortcuts in bonsai in many cases is worthless.

Yep,

This practice is done in Japan to create cheap “gift” trees. Kinda like how you take a bottle of wine to give to the host/hostess of a party? Same thing.

So, people see these things and think that’s how bonsai should look, and copy them over here.

 

[Dav4]

And you do this because the result is a fatter trunk by the tree trying to heal it’s self?

Yes

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

Thanks for the replies, that settles my curiosity.

 

[BackyardBonsai]

Not my cup of tea either. Skip them.

 

[0soyoung]

This practice is done in Japan to create cheap “gift” trees.

It is also done in the area of Fresno, CA by Al's friend Ed-the-grower.
More than one was recently added to maria kapra's shohin collection, which I guess says they can be better quality than cheap 'gift' trees.

 

[Adair M]

It is also done in the area of Fresno, CA by Al's friend Ed-the-grower.
More than one was recently added to maria kapra's shohin collection, which I guess says they can be better quality than cheap 'gift' trees.

Sure, there can be some good ones. In Japan, they grow these by the thousands. They keep the better ones, and sell the crappy ones cheap. The REALLY crappy ones, they export! Lol!!!

I’ve seen lots of these, and many attempts. I’ve not seen many that I would want to own. Sure, wiring down seedlings is fine, but for a high quality tree, I would not leave the wire in permanently.

The farms in Japan, the labor required to remove the wire is not worth it. They grow ‘em and cull.

But a hobbiest who has maybe a dozen of these? Remove the wire before it cuts in so bad.

They use the same technique on the grafted JWP on JBP trunks. Some aren’t too bad. I actually own one. But even it has some wire induced reverse taper issues.