Im going to try my hand at a shimpaku tanuki

[LeonardB]

When you cut your groove in the deadwood, try to make it bigger on the inside. So the when the whip thickens, it locks itself in. Like of like a dovetail joint.

Also, shave the whip on the side where it will contact the deadwood. That way, the whip won't build new wood on that side. It will build new wood on the outside. When the whip builds new wood on the side next to the deadwood, it tends to push itself away from it.

The deadwood should be a very hard wood, of course.

And finally, try to make it so that you can see where the live portion comes out of the soil. If it's all on the back, it looks more "fake".

Adair,
I have always wanted to try a different technique. Once the inside wood has been shaved, how about application of a super glue to hold it tight into the deadwood ( maybe let the shaved wood dryout a bit first)?
I wondered if this would work better than attaching with screws and less evident.
What do you think? It may be worth the experiment.

 

[LeonardB]

They are probably swollen from getting kicked in the crotch for tricking the wrong person.

Mike,
That being the case, all married men would be at risk!, lol

 

[Adair M]

Adair,
I have always wanted to try a different technique. Once the inside wood has been shaved, how about application of a super glue to hold it tight into the deadwood ( maybe let the shaved wood dryout a bit first)?
I wondered if this would work better than attaching with screws and less evident.
What do you think? It may be worth the experiment.

Just nail it in with small nails and a tack hammer. Over time, the tree will grow over the nail heads.

Or, get some of the little grafting nails that Jonas sells at www.bonsaitonight.com. They have a little green rubber pad at the head which can be cut off with wire cutters after a couple of years.

 

[LeonardB]

Just nail it in with small nails and a tack hammer. Over time, the tree will grow over the nail heads.

Or, get some of the little grafting nails that Jonas sells at www.bonsaitonight.com. They have a little green rubber pad at the head which can be cut off with wire cutters after a couple of years.

Adair,
On a different note, we will be visiting Plant City on our trip through Georgia in late April. Can you recommend any other bonsai destinations since this is your neck of the woods?
Regards,
Leonard

 

[Adair M]

That's about it that I know of.