AusBonsai

I have learned lots of techniques and tried some of them...if not most.
Here is a fig that I want to shift a branch up, and trunk chop it at the same time.
I used Urushibata technique to shift the branch up...Urushibata is my Oyakata.
see the two lower branches are at the same level. One needs to go but this fig is slow to fatten so I decided to shift the branch up to a new position. Note that the wedge is not large enough. this is an old picture so I have enlarged it since. Looking at it now...I think I should have trunk chopped it much lower. But there is another technique I can use in future...move the top down in the same manner I am moving the branch. I used a plastic bottle to airlayer the branch mid way so when the airlayer is removed the part nearer to the trunk is free to be used for grafting. Only the bottom part of the branch had the cambium removed...hope it will form roots.

Ones the branch is rooted , it will be cut off. cambium removed and the same size hole drilled on the trunk. The branch will be inserted , cut paste added, and a bit of wet cotton wool to keep the area moist. The bottle with soil containing the roots will stay attached until the branch is fused.
The fit of the branch in the hole needs to be tight. Wish me luck...

Here is one done by David cortisas

This is a way to do the wedge technique and here is a link on how to do it:
http://bonsaitonight.com/2012/10/16/ebiharas-maples/

Sorry guys might be a silly question but the wedge trunk chop is new to me, was wondering what benefits from such a lengthy process, I can only assume a much tidier scar that will heal flush,or maybe slowly reducing energy to the sacrificial branch before the chop? Nice ficus by the way.
Cheers

The healing process is faster...and you can still fatten your trunk meanwhile. For branches it is good for varieties that get die back...it prevents that.

May the force be with you Neli! Let us know how it goes.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew...it is my first time, and I did it few month go so the first step will be to root the branch...after that will be the hard part.