Heavy Bending On a Fig???

[dansai]

I really want to do some heavy bending on this fig and was wondering the best way to go about it. I have seen examples of heavy bending in Pines and Junipers using Raffia or rubber and heavy wire. Is this suitable for figs too? Should I use guide wires running the length of the branch?

A history of this fig can be seen here and here.

I want to create more movement in the right hand branch in the horizontal plane, pull it back close to the base and bring the end down to create a wide semi-cascade.

First photo is the the tree before defoliating and removing old wire. Sorry about the quality. I only have a phone camera at the moment and obviously can't take the picture agian.... The stick is there to pull the branch down but it was hard to get a good shape in it using this technique.

Fig Semi1.jpg

This one a close up of the base before any work. The grafting tape is holding a branch close to the trunk which is actually made up of a bunch or roots that have twisted and fused.

Fig Semi2.jpg

And a picture after defoliation and removal of wire from the front. I want to pull it down from just after the small forward branch.

Fig Semi4.jpg

And one from the top. As you can see it is a bit straight and could do with some movement and pulling in closer to the base.

Fig Semi3.jpg

Any advice welcome.

[dansai]

Any one had experience doing heavy bending on figs. I want to create curves in the horizontal plane and the branch is rather stiff.

[kcpoole]

The same techniques will apply to figs as with pines and junies.
the benefit is that they will heal faster.
You can also cut a wedge or 2 out of the branch and they will also heal quickly as well

Ken

[dansai]

Thanks Ken.

So would you wrap a fig with raffia first? Or rubber?

And would you cut wedges and then wrap? Or wrap and then cut wedges to prevent wrapping from interfering with the healing of the wedge? Or do one, or the other?

Dan

[kcpoole]

I have cut wedges, then wired to keep in shape, no wrapping was required. Just covered Later with putty.
If you do not want by on cut then I would just wrap with raffia, but you could use anything handynto stop the branch to split or crack
Ken