How old is this bonsai? This is a first question that most people ask when they look at a bonsai. Even to the casual observer age is very important in the world of bonsai. Around the country and around the world there are bonsai trees on display that are 100's of years old. The problem is that these trees are extremely expensive and many are unattainable. The value of a tree is seldom determined by its actual age, but by the impression of age. This leads to the question: "How can I make my bonsai appear to be older than it is?" An even more compelling question is: "How can I make a bonsai appear to be old in my lifetime?"
To give a partial answer to these questions let me tell you the tale of a bonsai that I have had only five years here in West Palm Beach, Florida. This five year old bonsai could easily be confused with a 30 year old tree. My favorite method to show age is using the technique of air layer to start your bonsai. This method entails finding a branch which is two or three inches thick on a tree or shrub that has many small interesting-shaped branches bearing a network of small twigs. Almost any tree will respond to this technique. As you look at this small portion of the tree, imagine how great this one will look as a bonsai if it only had roots. Air layering is a bonsai technique which will introduce roots exactly where you need them. This method is like taking a cutting without severing the branch until the roots have grown. In this tale I chose a mimosa tree in my neighbor's yard (with her permission) in April to begin the process of developing an old looking bonsai.
The point on the branch I chose for introducing roots was 8 inches below a "y" in the branch. The next 8 inches above the "y" had a branch on each side and one in the back. I had to visualize the top 8 inches as it would fill in over time. Air layering is a very simple process. At my chosen point on the branch I made two parallel cuts around the branch about an inch apart. Then I made a perpendicular cut and removed the outer layer of bark. I checked to make sure that all traces of the cambium was removed. Making sure that I had rubber gloves on, I took a handful of sphagnum moss dipped it into a pail of water, placed it inside the aluminum foil and wrapped it around the branch, pinching both ends.
About two months later I noticed that a nice ball of roots was formed. I then took a saw and severed the branch as close to the root ball as possible. After unwrapping the foil and without disturbing the roots I placed the severed branch with its ball of roots in a large nursery pot. I then shortened each of the branches to my desired length. I incorporated some time release fertilizer in the nursery soil and added liquid fertilizer every three weeks. Over the next six months I let my new bonsai grow without doing anything to it. During this time it established stronger roots and additional twigs. I then began with the shaping of the top part of the bonsai. Since this was a mimosa it put forth a lot of four inch shoots with leaves on them. As time went on the task became pruning, wiring, and training every branch and twig of the bonsai tree and by the end of the first year I began to see some results. I continued the biweekly shaping and elimination of branches and twigs, and by fall I began to see some of the characteristics that made my mimosa bonsai very unique.
Man Turns Into Tree (Horrible Disease) by mokica
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5652843
To give a partial answer to these questions let me tell you the tale of a bonsai that I have had only five years here in West Palm Beach, Florida. This five year old bonsai could easily be confused with a 30 year old tree. My favorite method to show age is using the technique of air layer to start your bonsai. This method entails finding a branch which is two or three inches thick on a tree or shrub that has many small interesting-shaped branches bearing a network of small twigs. Almost any tree will respond to this technique. As you look at this small portion of the tree, imagine how great this one will look as a bonsai if it only had roots. Air layering is a bonsai technique which will introduce roots exactly where you need them. This method is like taking a cutting without severing the branch until the roots have grown. In this tale I chose a mimosa tree in my neighbor's yard (with her permission) in April to begin the process of developing an old looking bonsai.
The point on the branch I chose for introducing roots was 8 inches below a "y" in the branch. The next 8 inches above the "y" had a branch on each side and one in the back. I had to visualize the top 8 inches as it would fill in over time. Air layering is a very simple process. At my chosen point on the branch I made two parallel cuts around the branch about an inch apart. Then I made a perpendicular cut and removed the outer layer of bark. I checked to make sure that all traces of the cambium was removed. Making sure that I had rubber gloves on, I took a handful of sphagnum moss dipped it into a pail of water, placed it inside the aluminum foil and wrapped it around the branch, pinching both ends.
About two months later I noticed that a nice ball of roots was formed. I then took a saw and severed the branch as close to the root ball as possible. After unwrapping the foil and without disturbing the roots I placed the severed branch with its ball of roots in a large nursery pot. I then shortened each of the branches to my desired length. I incorporated some time release fertilizer in the nursery soil and added liquid fertilizer every three weeks. Over the next six months I let my new bonsai grow without doing anything to it. During this time it established stronger roots and additional twigs. I then began with the shaping of the top part of the bonsai. Since this was a mimosa it put forth a lot of four inch shoots with leaves on them. As time went on the task became pruning, wiring, and training every branch and twig of the bonsai tree and by the end of the first year I began to see some results. I continued the biweekly shaping and elimination of branches and twigs, and by fall I began to see some of the characteristics that made my mimosa bonsai very unique.
Man Turns Into Tree (Horrible Disease) by mokica
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5652843
