Learn How to Wire a Bonsai

Wrapping aluminum or copper wires around the trunk or branches of indoor bonsai trees in order to give them the desired shape is called wiring. The basic bonsai style can be created by wrapping the trunk and branches of the tree with wire of the right length and thickness. There's no need for wrapping if you wish your bonsai to grow in the formal upright style, but the cascade needs meticulous wiring a period of several months or longer, so you will need to learn how to wire a bonsai to achieve the look you want for your plant.

Wiring puts stress on the trunk and branches of your indoor bonsai tree. Because of this stress, you must be extremely cautious and patient so as not to harm the tree. Improper technique could easily lead to broken branches or even worse, a damaged trunk that causes the tree to perish. Additionally, it is possible to wrap it too snugly, or you might choose the wrong season to start the training. If this happens the tree will get a scar that takes a long time to heal, and there is also the possibility of the tree dying.

Prior to actually wiring your bonsai, use a stick or pole to practice. This will assist you in getting a feel for the wire and will help you develop the agility needed to wrap a branch while holding it. Once you're confident that you can hold the branch with one hand and wrap it with the other, without bending or pulling at anything but the wrapped section, you can start working on your bonsai tree.

Step one is choosing the appropriate wire for the project. Copper and aluminum are the two most popular choices, although copper is thought to be more attractive during the extended period during which the tree remains in its training pot. When wrapping a bonsai, use annealed copper only, as steel wire is toxic to several species. It is easier for beginners to apply aluminum because it's less rigid. Even though copper is usually less flexible, it can scar the tree if it is not wrapped correctly. Using wire that is one third as thick as the branch it is going to wrap is a basic guideline with which to begin.

To guide a tree into the desired shape, wire is wrapped around the branches and trunk in such a way as to place pressure on the specific places to be reshaped. So, in order for the tree to change its shape and not the wire, the wire must be stronger than the branch or trunk.

Try wrapping branches from similar trees to improve your skill and dexterity. Try out various thicknesses on tree branches from the same species prior to using them on the bonsai tree that you are training. A variety of widths will be needed in order to wire the whole tree so try working with all of them ahead of time.

Learning how to wire a bonsai is a talent that needs a soft touch, and it takes a while to learn. With practice, this is quite achievable, and well worth the time invested.