Wiring Progress

Nera

Nera

Yamadori
Messages
52
Reaction score
41
Location
Johannesburg, South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
I posted in this thread, with photos of my first wiring attempt on my Japanese Maple pre-bonsai (last two posts) - https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/what-did-you-do-today-show-us-pic-required.58560/page-418

It's nice to have those photos, because I spent time looking over them again and decided I definitely needed to go back in on the maple. I created more exaggerated bends, after I realised my first attempt hadn't achieved enough movement, and I feel it was because I was nervous of potentially breaking it. This time, I feel I got a better result! I will post the updated photos tomorrow. :)

My wiring is not perfect, obviously, but I did learn from this which I am happy about. I also feel like the "back view" photo has likely become my new "front view" for the time being. Anyway, I enjoyed this experience for sure, and I'm hoping my work leads to a hopefully decent looking little maple bonsai as it grows.
 
Where you have 2 wires in a given area,
did you spiral them both at the same time
or individually?
Great thing with JM and other deciduous is
you can cut back to above a node and use
the new growth to change direction and increase
taper at the same time.

The loose wiring, tight wiring and crossing wires
need improving.
Tight wiring needs to be removed in a few short weeks.
It will grow into the wire leaving tissu damage.
They set oretty fast compared to soft wood.
Don't redo the wiring over and over.

The link above by @ponderingsage will help tremendously. Play the videos over and over.
Practice practice and more practice :)
 
Japonicus said:
Where you have 2 wires in a given area,
did you spiral them both at the same time
or individually?
Great thing with JM and other deciduous is
you can cut back to above a node and use
the new growth to change direction and increase
taper at the same time.

The loose wiring, tight wiring and crossing wires
need improving.
Tight wiring needs to be removed in a few short weeks.
It will grow into the wire leaving tissu damage.
They set oretty fast compared to soft wood.

The link above by @ponderingsage will help tremendously. Play the videos over and over.
Practice practice and more practice :)
Click to expand...

Thank you for your tips!

I spiralled them at the same time and then started the wiring, then cut another wire, spiralled and applied to the rest. I will keep an eye on the tighter areas! I totally agree, crossing wires definitely needs improving haha.
 
Nera said:
Thank you for your tips!

I spiralled them at the same time and then started the wiring, then cut another wire, spiralled and applied to the rest. I will keep an eye on the tighter areas! I totally agree, crossing wires definitely needs improving haha.
Click to expand...
Best to individually apply your wires.
A crossed wire will dig in at that point
much faster and aesthetically less desirable.
The loose wire can lead to uneven outcomes for movement (a curve leading into a straight section, followed by anothet curve).
Also more apt to break while bending where no contact occurs.
 
Japonicus said:
Best to individually apply your wires.
A crossed wire will dig in at that point
much faster and aesthetically less desirable.
The loose wire can lead to uneven outcomes for movement (a curve leading into a straight section, followed by anothet curve).
Also more apt to break while bending where no contact occurs.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the info, thank you! I'll definitely apply wire individually going forward.
 
Nera said:
@Japonicus I removed the wiring and re-wired using two single pieces, no spiralling. I really do want to try and avoid scarring, thanks again.
Click to expand...
This is where internet interaction is lacking.
All wiring requires spiraling to hold onto its subject. Either clockwise or counter.

And do you mean you've now wired yet again?
I have a hinoki that hates to be wired.
If i wasn't happy with an area, i would certainly not remove and rewire it. This is one way of overworking a subject with wire. You've committed 3 wirings in a single rewire. On off on. (Flex going on, unflex coming off...) This is more an issue with full on wiring every branch on a well ramified tree or with inexperienced hands. Bending the cambium once is one thing, repeatedly when you're creating a bend can cause failure of the branch or trunk.
The wire merely holds your force, provided accurare wiring is done including proper sized wire for the situation. So keep this in mind prior to wiring, as you position branches by hand to get an idea of where to place wire or what to wire to where. Multiple flexing is overworking.

EDIT:
A tree this young will outgrow minor scarring.
 
Last edited:
Japonicus said:
This is where internet interaction is lacking.
All wiring requires spiraling to hold onto its subject. Either clockwise or counter.

And do you mean you've now wired yet again?
I have a hinoki that hates to be wired.
If i wasn't happy with an area, i would certainly not remove and rewire it. This is one way of overworking a subject with wire. You've committed 3 wirings in a single rewire. On off on. (Flex going on, unflex coming off...) This is more an issue with full on wiring every branch on a well ramified tree or with inexperienced hands. Bending the cambium once is one thing, repeatedly when you're creating a bend can cause failure of the branch or trunk.
The wire merely holds your force, provided accurare wiring is done including proper sized wire for the situation. So keep this in mind prior to wiring, as you position branches by hand to get an idea of where to place wire or what to wire to where. Multiple flexing is overworking.

EDIT:
A tree this young will outgrow minor scarring.
Click to expand...

It's okay ;)

Thanks for letting me know, I won't repeat this going forward. This is why I didn't spend a lot on the bonsais I have - as a beginner, there's bound to be mistakes along the way. I'll wait and see how the tree responds, but if I have a casualty I'll just get another one having learned from this.
 
Cut some flexible branch from any tree and practice your wiring. For me is wiring one of the most satisfying bonsai techniques.

As for your little maple, try to avoid any cuts if possible. You need it to gain thickness. Let the top to grow freely for few years if you want your tree to thicken faster.

And welcome on board! 😉👍
 
minkes said:
Cut some flexible branch from any tree and practice your wiring. For me is wiring one of the most satisfying bonsai techniques.

As for your little maple, try to avoid any cuts if possible. You need it to gain thickness. Let the top to grow freely for few years if you want your tree to thicken faster.

And welcome on board! 😉👍
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes, I can definitely practice wiring on general garden branches.

I needed to wire it while it's still flexible to set the shape I want. I'm still growing it in a normal pot to get a thicker trunk. :)
 
Last edited:
Most Bonsai books that you could check out from your public library. Have just basic wiring illustrations as well that you could use as a reference next time.
 
ponderingsage said:
Most Bonsai books that you could check out from your public library. Have just basic wiring illustrations as well that you could use as a reference next time.
Click to expand...

For wiring, I learn better from watching it being done in Youtube videos. Direction of the wrapping depending on whether you want to bend up or down/left or right. I just need more practice. ;)
 
I had watched videos on wiring, but when I got to doing it for the first time, it was like the techniques to remember mostly left my mind because I was nervous/I focused too much on not breaking anything while working out where to place the bends. 😅 I put twists in the wire only because I realised I had too small of a gauge to work with. I need to build my confidence through practice, and @minkes is right, practicing on garden branches is a good idea.
 
Last edited:
I am not sure it has been mentioned but.. What wire are you using? It seems very bright for alu. is it steel?
 
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