Japanese Maple Progress...I love it when it goes right

[bodhidharma]

This is where it is at. Second week in, small turn every day. I love Bonsai when you make a right decision. Now i am going to fix the bottom branch, not cut it off.

[Glenda]

What have you wrapped it in, Bohdi? How long will the bender thingy be on? While I have seen the benders for sale on Ebay, I was unsure how they should be used.

Glenda

[bodhidharma]

What have you wrapped it in, Bohdi? How long will the bender thingy be on? While I have seen the benders for sale on Ebay, I was unsure how they should be used.

Glenda

G'day Glenda, the tree is tightly wrapped with inner tubing. This is out of a tractor tyre, cut into 30mm strips. The bender thingy (now its official title) will be on for about twelve months. I will need to check it earlier to see how badly it is marking, and then re-apply if needed. It should be a really nice tree in 5 years.

[Amanda]

Second week in and it's looking tops. What plans do you have with this, Bodhi? Do you have a sketch or a virtual?

[Bretts]

Thats a nice bend Bodi. Are you planning any grafting of branches down lower? Maybe you could try the transplanting mature branches technique

[bodhidharma]

Second week in and it's looking tops. What plans do you have with this, Bodhi? Do you have a sketch or a virtual?

I havent thought that far ahead yet Anja. I want to see if it will bend more and get that fist branch right, and than wait and see when it gets unwrapped.

[bodhidharma]

Thats a nice bend Bodi. Are you planning any grafting of branches down lower? Maybe you could try the transplanting mature branches technique

If it needs it Bretts i certainly will. I want to see if it is possible to turn a mediocre tree into a pleasing aesthetic

[alpineart]

Hi Bodhi , thats testing it .Are the drill holes on the back/outside or front/inside of the curve ? .How thick is the mid section of the trunk? .I'm more and more curious as to how far you intend to push the curve. Cheers Alpine

[bodhidharma]

Hi Bodhi , thats testing it .Are the drill holes on the back/outside or front/inside of the curve ? .How thick is the mid section of the trunk? .I'm more and more curious as to how far you intend to push the curve. Cheers Alpine

G'day Alpine, i am loving how far this will go. It has had even more since this posting. The holes were drilled all the way through(front to back) right where the benders fulcrum is. 10 in all side by side. How far, good question, it is still giving at the moment but i do not want to snap it. I think i am getting close where i want it now. I will post it shortly again. the tree is 60mm across( not diameter) and now 490mm tall so you can evaluate the size of the trunk bender( thingy )