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Juniper styling
Posted: March 17th, 2021, 9:44 pm
by The other Ryan
Had a go at using raffia tonight. Bit tricky but hopefully I wrapped it tight enough. I can see why alternative tapes are used instead. I think this is a sabina but if anyone knows let me know
Will trim and twist the remaining branches in dramatic fashion for fun as they are all quite thin and leave it grow.
Is there a particular length of time you have to leave raffia on or am I best to wait until the wire starts to bite a bit to know that the bends have stuck?
Before
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After
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Re: Juniper styling
Posted: March 18th, 2021, 6:19 am
by shibui
It looks like you got the bends you needed so the wrap was good.
Not sure if you have seen anyone competent using raffia on bonsai but there is a technique for working with raffia that makes it a bit quicker to apply.
For future reference I believe it is more effective and safer to have wire on the outside of a curve if possible as it is thought to help support the wood as you bend. Looks like you avoided that branch by going above it with the initial winding and so missed the area that received the main stress while bending.
I know everybody has their own ideas about what is right but I think I would have wound the wire just a faction closer together. In the end if wiring is successful then it is OK.
Re: Juniper styling
Posted: March 18th, 2021, 6:21 am
by Watto
It looks like a chinensis to me but junipers are not my strong suit.
The time is all about the wire. The raffia is only there to ensure the fibers are protected. From a glance I am guessing 12 months should see it set and ready for the next step.
Good luck with it.
Re: Juniper styling
Posted: March 18th, 2021, 7:54 am
by The other Ryan
shibui wrote: ↑March 18th, 2021, 6:19 am
It looks like you got the bends you needed so the wrap was good.
Not sure if you have seen anyone competent using raffia on bonsai but there is a technique for working with raffia that makes it a bit quicker to apply.
For future reference I believe it is more effective and safer to have wire on the outside of a curve if possible as it is thought to help support the wood as you bend. Looks like you avoided that branch by going above it with the initial winding and so missed the area that received the main stress while bending.
I know everybody has their own ideas about what is right but I think I would have wound the wire just a faction closer together. In the end if wiring is successful then it is OK.
Thanks for the feedback Neil. I had soaked the raffia for a for hours beforehand, I just find the wrapping a bit tricky at first. Not my best wiring job but it’s all learning and correction for next time. I think I was lucky that where it bend higher up the trunk is quite thin and the heavier wire is holding it down firmly and I didn’t hear or feel any cranks
I honestly didn’t have much foresight with how I wanted to be styled but it turned out ok.
Re: Juniper styling
Posted: March 18th, 2021, 7:57 am
by The other Ryan
Watto wrote: ↑March 18th, 2021, 6:21 am
It looks like a chinensis to me but junipers are not my strong suit.
The time is all about the wire. The raffia is only there to ensure the fibers are protected. From a glance I am guessing 12 months should see it set and ready for the next step.
Good luck with it.
Cheers Watto. I’ll keep my eyes on it more closer to the end of the year