[Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Share your success stories about defoliation, bare rooting and anything else relating to maintaining healthy bonsai.
User avatar
Elmar
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1205
Joined: October 12th, 2013, 10:33 pm
Favorite Species: living trees!
Bonsai Age: 2
Location: Port Hedland
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by Elmar »

Jason wrote:...
I seem to have trouble with the whole 'thinking two steps ahead', and usually end up with a crossed wire or two, but I think that will just come from practice :)
Haha I know what you mean! Just did a repot (refreshing the soil) and using the wire to hold the tree in place until it grabs a hold of the soil... First wire was really nice ad the second wire - opposite direction no choice but to cross wire, lol. Looks much better now that I did it again, almost got the 45 degree angle, too!


Cheers
EZ
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Cheers
Elmar
User avatar
Pezz95
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 49
Joined: August 11th, 2014, 9:12 pm
Favorite Species: Juniper
Bonsai Age: 1
Location: Adelaide

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by Pezz95 »

I've been told if you get a bit of the wire and press it down on the branch you are wanting to bend/shape. If the branch bends it's the right thickness but if the wire bends go for something thicker
User avatar
treeman
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2836
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 4:47 pm
Favorite Species: any
Bonsai Age: 25
Location: melbourne
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 571 times

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by treeman »

In photo G (and others) the right and left branches are wired incorrectly. It is a very common mistake but an important one.
Can anyone see it?
For a clue, look at the last 2 drawrings....
Last edited by treeman on August 19th, 2014, 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike
mtarros
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 210
Joined: February 1st, 2011, 6:06 am
Favorite Species: JBP, Elms, Elaeagnus, Loropetalum chinensis
Bonsai Age: 6
Bonsai Club: BSQ, Redlands Bonsai Society
Location: Brisbane

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by mtarros »

Yes the branches have a weak anchor point due to coming straight up to the branch from the trunk.
Also your spacing needs a bit more work, it's too close in a lot of it and it's not consistent.

I was also told that sometimes you will get to a point where you have no option but to cross your wires and if that happens it's ok to cross underneath where you can see it. It was explained to me as sh*t happens when I was in Japan. :)
Last edited by mtarros on August 19th, 2014, 6:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
treeman
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2836
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 4:47 pm
Favorite Species: any
Bonsai Age: 25
Location: melbourne
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 571 times

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by treeman »

mtarros wrote:Yes the branches have a weak anchor point due to coming straight up to the branch from the trunk.
Also your spacing needs a bit more work, it's too close in a lot of it and it's not consistent.

I was also told that sometimes you will get to a point where you have no option but to cross your wires and if that happens it's ok to cross underneath where you can see it. It was explained to me as sh*t happens when I was in Japan. :)
:clap: Spot on mtarros!
When bending a branch down (which is most of the time-and in this case) the first loop should start at the top of the branch not the bottom. When wired this way (in the pic), the first coil will come away from the from the branch and lose much of its holding power. This is the way to wire if you wish bend the branch up.
Mike
mtarros
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 210
Joined: February 1st, 2011, 6:06 am
Favorite Species: JBP, Elms, Elaeagnus, Loropetalum chinensis
Bonsai Age: 6
Bonsai Club: BSQ, Redlands Bonsai Society
Location: Brisbane

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by mtarros »

If you happen to have an anchor point that moves when bending then you can just hold the wire with some Jin pliers to keep it in place then bend the branch to where you want it.
User avatar
Jason
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1543
Joined: November 23rd, 2012, 1:00 pm
Favorite Species: Melaleuca and Callistemon
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: Bonsai Society of WA
Location: Perth
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by Jason »

treeman wrote:
mtarros wrote:Yes the branches have a weak anchor point due to coming straight up to the branch from the trunk.
Also your spacing needs a bit more work, it's too close in a lot of it and it's not consistent.

I was also told that sometimes you will get to a point where you have no option but to cross your wires and if that happens it's ok to cross underneath where you can see it. It was explained to me as sh*t happens when I was in Japan. :)
:clap: Spot on mtarros!
When bending a branch down (which is most of the time-and in this case) the first loop should start at the top of the branch not the bottom. When wired this way (in the pic), the first coil will come away from the from the branch and lose much of its holding power. This is the way to wire if you wish bend the branch up.
Interesting! Still mastering wiring myself, and anchor points is one of my difficulties :palm:

So are you saying, if you're bending the branch upwards, you would anchor above the branch you are trying to bend? and vice versa if you're bending the branch down?
Have a question? The AusBonsai Wiki most likely has the answer!

Looking for a Nursery or Club near your? Check out the AusBonsai Directory which lists them all

Image
User avatar
Elmar
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1205
Joined: October 12th, 2013, 10:33 pm
Favorite Species: living trees!
Bonsai Age: 2
Location: Port Hedland
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by Elmar »

Jason wrote:...

Interesting! Still mastering wiring myself, and anchor points is one of my difficulties :palm:

So are you saying, if you're bending the branch upwards, you would anchor above the branch you are trying to bend? and vice versa if you're bending the branch down?
I have heard more and more that you should use what some call (recent new found knowledge) a "slingshot" technique - Imagine a Slingshot 'Y' and then wire the wire comes up the stem (or handle) to one branch for a turn or two (cut off) and then a new wire (usually thinner) wires the two 'branches' going up, thereby anchoring them while following the same 'wiring pattern' of the wire coming up the stem ... This is then followed for each branching fork until you are finished.

Clear as mud, I know! Here is a link to the tutorials... I found some of the information interesting (complementing to what I have learned here), but more basic!
Cheers
Elmar
SuperBonSaiyan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 470
Joined: July 2nd, 2022, 4:10 am
Favorite Species: Shimpaku
Bonsai Age: 1
Bonsai Club: Bonsai Northwest
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 174 times
Been thanked: 62 times

Re: [Tutorial] Basic Wiring Techniques with picture examples

Post by SuperBonSaiyan »

I just tried my hand at wiring for the first time today. It went much better than I expected. I've previously only handled stainless steel wire, and that made me apprehensive about wiring a bonsai.

Aluminium wire, however, is amazing to work with. It bends so easily, yet holds branches in place with ease.

I haven't played with copper wire yet, but I've heard it can be harder to work with.
Post Reply

Return to “Tips, Techniques, Maintenance and Advice”