AusBonsai

Found this technique on bending pines/junipers here on AB a while back...Silly me forgot to bookmark post and couldn't find it again. I acquired a young JBP (pretty much starter stock) Not very interesting, looked more like a stick in a pot. Although this technique was originally used to place bends on larger stock, I thought it would be best to have a "practice" and hit it while it was young & create some real movement. The trunk of tree is only 1.5 - 2cm thick so, after wiring, bends and curves were a breeze.


1) Wrap trunk from bottom to top with raffia
2) Place 3-4mm wire on opposite sides of trunk
3) Then wrap with twine - pull tightly after each turn
4) & then 3-4mm wire on the 45

Bend into desired shape

Was wondering how long I should keep wire on...? was thinking spring or mid summer (maybe...?) Ha Ha.... really want it to set first go....It's a really timely process...! After the wire has set, will be doing a little root work and then in the ground she goes....

Here's my attempt...Sorry no progression pic's just end result

All comments welcome

How thick was the trunk before bending?

I'd wager you could get more bending in there, slowly but surely. The extra effort and care will be well worth it too.

Hey Mo....Still a very young tree... Only 1 & 1/2 -2cm thick. Wasn't sure how far I could push it. Suppose I could try to bend a little more each time ( maybe every 3-4 Days) What do you think....?

Great job BF, do you have any before pics?

I think I remember reading the addition of electrical tape ontop of the raffia can give it even more strength, allowing you to bend it further.

I have never tried this so wait for the knowledgeable to chime in. I believe Shibui may have done it on a pine during his workshop with Pavel.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Sorry ...Pearcy... before pics would of been fantastic. Unfortunately don't have any available. Being my first time of wrapping with raffia & then with twine...didn't realise that it was such a timely process, started at 4:30 and finished approx 5:45pm a little to dark to take pics, but will definitely show step by step on the next candidate (have one of a similar size) that definitely needs the same attention to do it justice in the future.

Bonsaiforest wrote:Sorry ...Pearcy... before pics would of been fantastic. Unfortunately don't have any available. Being my first time of wrapping with raffia & then with twine...didn't realise that it was such a timely process, started at 4:30 and finished approx 5:45pm a little to dark to take pics, but will definitely show step by step on the next candidate (have one of a similar size) that definitely needs the same attention to do it justice in the future.

Possibly one of my posts that you were referring to?
viewtopic.php?f=131&t=7125 Bending Radiata
viewtopic.php?f=148&t=15049&p=154025 or my Shohin Progression thread?

Anyhow both will give the idea and Looks like you did OK Bonsaiforest for your first attempt.
You certainly could get tighter bends ( Keep bending till you start to hear some cracks) then back it off a bit.
the raffia is there to stop the wood from splintering and the cambium / bark separating. It allows you to get much more vigorous and tight with the bends than normally would be possible. I do not bother wrapping with anything else, But Pavel Slovak does and the reason he gives is to stop the wood drying out as fast when it does break. The holding of moisture under the tape helps to heal the wounds faster.

re how long to keep it on? Depends on how fast the tree grows and sets the bends. A young tree of pine or juniper may do so in 12 months, but a more mature tree will take a few years.
My Shohin Juniper above had raffia on for 12 months and then when I took it off, I had to rewire to hold the bends from spreading. another 2 years at least on that one.

Ken

Bonsaiforest wrote:Hey Mo....Still a very young tree... Only 1 & 1/2 -2cm thick. Wasn't sure how far I could push it. Suppose I could try to bend a little more each time ( maybe every 3-4 Days) What do you think....?

You could definitely get more bending in, and don't need to wait a couple days each time to do it.

Best option is as Ken has stated, bend till you hear the cracks (LISTEN CAREFULLY - We said Cracks not a big "SNAP" - two very different sounds and one of them will spell disaster). Back of a little and let it sit and grow - more growth = quicker setting of the bends but, because this is a pine, you'll want to keep the growth well in control for any branches you intend to use in the final design as they do not back bud.

The use of a sacrificial branch about midway up the trunk would be best, it will thicken anything below it's origin on the trunk. The only problem is they're hard to get if you don't have one and it's a real balancing act trying to ensure the sacrifice doesn't completely take over and weaken the rest of the tree.

Good luck!

Mo

Hey Ken & Mo.....thanks very much with all of your advice... it's always welcome...! Will continue my quest over the weekend... Hopefully all goes to plan without any Snap crackle & pops......

Very nice work and even better information, thank you for sharing.