Good call on the cut. I would love to see more pyracantha for sale that have interesting movement in the trunk. Everything I see for sale here and elsewhere have straight vertical trunks.
Hi Jason, one thing I always do is try to guess what the decision will be before you or a couple of other bonsai artists I watch, show what they decided. I like the decision you made. And how you cleaned up the nobby that was also at that bend, as you guess, that's what I would have chosen to do also. Overall, I like what you did with this Pyracantha specimen. I'm curious; why don't you use one wire for two branches? Wouldn't that anchor the branches better, and if you have to wrap around the trunk, at this stage it's not a big problem since it is basically sort of a pre-bonsai anyway? Also, as a beginner, I try to not have to continually cut excess wire. For me, wire is not cheap. When you are wiring, would you take that into consideration, and show how you measure on-the-go to minimize excess wire cut off? Incase you might think otherwise, with what I was just asking, I really appreciate your videos and learning from you. You explain the whats and whys really understandably! Thank you Jason and keep 'em coming
Hi Lenee! Yes, try to grab 2 branches if you can with one wire especially if it's the same gauge. But if you can't, that's ok too. Sometimes I'll go with one wire only if there's a high likelihood of it getting removed and I just want to see what it looks like. The best way to save wire is to leave the roll on your arm as your wiring. You'll have to watch one of the timelapses for this. It takes a bit of practice but no wasted wire. Hope this helps! - Jason
I think the tree is better without that branch hiding the movement of the trunk, but it also might have worked wired down a little lower. Awesome tree either way!
Love your explanations! I agree with your decision. Question: would it be too much to also work on roots and transplanting at this time? Too much stress? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience and please continue, I really enjoy your videos. Mily from Florida
Hi Mily, It's been hot here lately so this one won't get repot yet. As for stress, it was minimal stress since the bends were light. If it was cooler, it likely would have been put into a pot very soon after. :)
I have 2 Triedent Maple pre bonsai stock, ( 8 years old, about 24" tall ) That grew very well during the spring. ( they were delivered with a MASSIVE amount of new growth already in early spring and I didn't want to do anything until the new growth hardened off ) What would be the best time of year to start wiring the branches? They both look like bushes, and I'm trying to trim them and create some space between the branches to actually try to see what the structure actually looks like, but since its not trained or styled yet, and I have to start, I was wondering if early summer, like now would stress the trees if I try to start wiring branches in place to see what to keep and what to cut.
GOOD JOB: Pyracantha, aka firethorn. Are you immune to the thorns it did you de-thorn it? These and bougainvilia always leave me with wounds whenever I mess with them. Keep up the good work!!
