Partial branch snap

[greggles]

Hi all.

Attached is a photo of my first ever bonsai. I made it from nursery stock when I first got interested in the hobby and it's come along way since then. I know it's not a great bonsai but because it was my first attempt of making my own it meant a lot to me.



By chance I took these photos last week to look at and decide whether to remove the bottom left branch as it is too close in line with the other.

This morning I went out and to my horror a branch from a near by gum as fallen with the strong winds and partially snapped one of the branches. Unfortunately it was the branch second up on the left which is crucial!

I have attached some photos of the snap, is this too deep to be repaired? It's cracked right at the joint. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.



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[alec]

Hey greggles, pretty sure all you can do is attempt a re-graft. So long as it hasn't dried out too much.
Hold it in place, cover in cut paste or grafting paste and tape the heck out of it. Then wire it in place. Maybe keep the branch in a humid environment. Then just hope for the best

[Grainer]

throw a stainless nail through it !

[Andrew Legg]

throw a stainless nail through it !

You're gonna have to have good aim!

[Andrew Legg]

.

[Bougy Fan]

You should keep some super glue handy for events like this - just put a spot on the heartwood and push back into position and hold for a minute. As long as the cambium isn't completely separated you have a good chance of saving it.

[Ray M]

Hi greggles,
If you do what Tony said and get the branch back into position then seal it.
1. Seal around the cut with sealer putty then bind it well with grafting tape.

Sealer putty.jpg

2. Seal the grafting tape with sealer paste. This will prevent moisture getting into the break.

Sealer paste.jpg

This is a graft I did on a Fig. After applying the grafting tap I completely sealed the tape with the paste.

IMG_4301 -2.jpg

Please remember that this branch will never be as strong at the joint as it was before the break. After the branch is healed you could consider putting a stainless steel screw or nail through the joint to strengthen it. This will be a long term project. You may not see full healing for a year or more.

Regards Ray

[greggles]

Big thank you to everyone who replied! For now I have put a dab of super glue and wired it. I will have to go out tomorrow and get grafting rape and some sealer. Hopefully I can find it and it's not too late!

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[Firecat]

I have been using this tape for a while now and cracked branches and breaks heal up very well.
It's a pressure sensitive silicon tape.
Great for guarding against wire cuts when guy wiring as well.

Down side is your finger 'must' be very clean as any dirt inhibits gripping nature.
It has no adhesive so won't stick to bark and is easily removed with a shallow cut with a Stanly knife or scalpel.
I usually split along tape length for economy laying over each turn/wind by half in the usual 45' as if wiring.
Not real cheap as my original supply came from good old ALDI.
Readily available on flee bay in a few colours..
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DynaGrip-SOS ... SweW5VJlhq
Regards Steve.