wiring, bad habbits...

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » January 14th, 2015, 12:47 pm

I seem to have developed a bad habit when wiring my trees. I consistently wire too tight and the wire bites into the bark before it has done what it was supposed to do. I'm very conscious of my habit, but I continue to make the same mistakes. Advice please...

treeman · Post by **treeman** » January 14th, 2015, 1:30 pm

Support the wire properly with the left hand and release the tension on the wire with the right hand at every coil around the branch before going round again.

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » January 14th, 2015, 1:59 pm

Yes, and I have also been told to use the index finger to 'push' the wire as opposed to 'pulling' it around the branch/truck... Hope that makes sense!?!

Cheers
EZ
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Jason · Post by **Jason** » January 14th, 2015, 2:20 pm

Yeah, I struggle with this too, i have a tendency of treating it like rope, where you'd pull it tight

Try not to 'pull' the wire around, but to just wrap it around

Grant Bowie · Post by **Grant Bowie** » January 14th, 2015, 3:42 pm

Use a heavier gauge of wire and wire looser.

John Henry · Post by **John Henry** » January 14th, 2015, 4:15 pm

Use copper wire and wire looser

63pmp · Post by **63pmp** » January 14th, 2015, 6:26 pm

Hold the wire against the branch with thumb. As you wrap, twist the wire at the same time with the otger hand. The more you twist the more the wire lifts of the branch. If you are using alluminium wire harden it first before wraping on branch.

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » January 14th, 2015, 7:39 pm

Grant Bowie wrote:Use a heavier gauge of wire and wire looser.

Never thought of that...

John Henry wrote:Use copper wire and wire looser

I think I am using copper wire

, I only get my wire from Bonsai Emporium.

Pup · Post by **Pup** » January 14th, 2015, 11:44 pm

Bonsai Emporium sell Aluminium, it is all that is available in WA at the moment. I do believe some people are trying to get enough interest to purchase some copper.

As for wiring guide it on with one hand holding with forefinger and thumb, then wind it on with the forefinger do not pull as this is what tightens it.

It has been said by Japanese Masters, learn to unwire this will make you better at wiring.

Cheers Pup

Rory · Post by **Rory** » January 15th, 2015, 7:07 am

Grant Bowie wrote:Use a heavier gauge of wire and wire looser.

This is the best advice, and works for me too. I realized this myself when trying to wire bouganvillea.

Jow · Post by **Jow** » January 15th, 2015, 8:08 am

I am guessing that the reason you are ending up with overly tight wire is not a gauge issue but rather a technique issue.
I am guessing that you are using the branch to bend the wire around rather than the better method of bending the wire around the branch.

Basically you want to avoid using the branch to do the bending of the wire but rather form the coil with your fingers as you work along the branch and then snug it up against the bark as you make each revolution.

Clear as mud?

Andrew Legg · Post by **Andrew Legg** » January 15th, 2015, 8:09 am

Give up bonsai and become a hang-man.

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » January 15th, 2015, 10:28 am

Pup wrote:Bonsai Emporium sell Aluminium, it is all that is available in WA at the moment. I do believe some people are trying to get enough interest to purchase some copper.

As for wiring guide it on with one hand holding with forefinger and thumb, then wind it on with the forefinger do not pull as this is what tightens it.

It has been said by Japanese Masters, learn to unwire this will make you better at wiring.

Cheers Pup

Thanks for the advice Pup. I didn't know my wire was ali...

paulclohesy1985 · Post by **paulclohesy1985** » January 19th, 2015, 6:32 pm

Great bit of advice for a noob here. Thanks

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RevoEvoS · Post by **RevoEvoS** » February 7th, 2015, 8:28 pm

John Henry wrote:Use copper wire and wire looser

wouldn't copper be harder to bend/twist compared to aluminum wire which is easier even if its heavier gauge?

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