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Chumono
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I currently only have three shohin sized Juniper chinensis. I may get more in the future if I spot something nice at the right size and price.

Here is my shohin literati. I got it in 2014 and grew it to make sure it was healthy. In 2015 I wired the whole tree like this. After it had grown like this for a while. I slip potted it in it's own pot.
DSC_0079.JPG

In 2016 I decided to take the plunge and made it a literati. I put it into this pot until until I notice two things. It was not growing well as it dried out super quickly in our climate and the pot was too light and the tree would topple easily losing soil.
2016-03-18 01.03.13.jpg 2016-03-30 19.23.32.jpg 2016-03-30 19.23.46.jpg
I again just slip potted into this drum pot and it has been growing very well in it. I am thinking maybe a trim is due this spring/summer. The weather is warming nicely so it may just be time.
DSC07543.JPG DSC07565.JPG

@sorce How is your's that looks similar doing? Post an update or a pic here.
 

sorce

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How is your's that looks similar doing? Post an update or a pic her

The slabbed one? Last time I could see it it was well! Purpleish bronze!

I may cut the sac in summer to get it to its beginning beginning.

Sorce
 

cockroach

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Yeah, was it not you that had one that looked very similar?

"Beginning, beginning" the very beginning? lol
 

defra

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The first bit of trunk is fairly straight if it were mine i would try to wrap it up with raffia and some wire and bend n twist the trunk some to loose the straight section and try to get the foliage more above the pot instead of hanging at the side
 

cockroach

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The first bit of trunk is fairly straight if it were mine i would try to wrap it up with raffia and some wire and bend n twist the trunk some to loose the straight section and try to get the foliage more above the pot instead of hanging at the side
I see what you mean. I will look into it.

Gave it a hard trim today. Will wait for it spring back before working it again.
 

cockroach

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I gave the tree a trim. Will wait and see how it progresses through spring. I realize I cut quite a bit off, in our climate I have done it twice before and the tree did well.
DSC07672.JPGDSC07675.JPG

Close up of the branches.
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Japonicus

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The first bit of trunk is fairly straight if it were mine i would try to wrap it up with raffia and some wire and bend n twist the trunk...
Hi defra! I have some raffia I've used raffia for some strange reason where branches suffered a break, getting them to mend.
I don't know why I used raffia after the impact accident, but it worked.

Thing is, I don't understand the properties, or the reason why using raffia for its intended purpose here on branch bends
facilitates the bends more safely. Why does raffia help protect?
Ah, I think I get the answer on this video with this Blue Alps juniper.
It holds the cambium layer on, that splits or otherwise would split.
I still feel I'm missing something, but have not finished the video yet...
 

cockroach

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Sorce could fix you up with a real nice pot for that lovely cascade right there.
Oh I will be get a @sorce pot one day. Want to be able to say I got one of the early works.

Hi defra! I have some raffia I've used raffia for some strange reason where branches suffered a break, getting them to mend.
I don't know why I used raffia after the impact accident, but it worked.

Thing is, I don't understand the properties, or the reason why using raffia for its intended purpose here on branch bends
facilitates the bends more safely. Why does raffia help protect?
Ah, I think I get the answer on this video with this Blue Alps juniper.
It holds the cambium layer on, that splits or otherwise would split.
I still feel I'm missing something, but have not finished the video yet...
Yes, I believe you are understanding correctly.
Some people are not a fan of raffia and use man-made materials. I use an electrician type tape that has no sticky side. I wrap it tightly and the wire holds it in place.
I have heard of people using tire tube inners cut into strips. Apparently, as long as it holds up you can use it.


On a side note, I remember seeing a vid of Orlando Bonsai saying he was not going to be making videos for a while. Anyuone know what happened to him or whether he will ever be back?
 

defra

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my teacher tought me recently to first wrap the trunk/branch up with a bandaid so the raffia wont stick to the wood after a year lol

You got it right about the cambium coming off and it also protects the cambium from being damaged by the wire when it gets bend.

When raffia is wet it expands and shrinks when it dries up so it will be tight around the trunk/branch
 

Japonicus

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my teacher tought me recently to first wrap the trunk/branch up with a bandaid so the raffia wont stick to the wood after a year lol

You got it right about the cambium coming off and it also protects the cambium from being damaged by the wire when it gets bend.

When raffia is wet it expands and shrinks when it dries up so it will be tight around the trunk/branch
Bandaid? now I know I'm missing something lol.
I knew there would be more to it. I did not realize it snugged up when it dried out
m1281.gif

This is new to me really (the why we use raffia). It is rare to see a tree...I have never seen a tree on BN pre-wired with raffia
in any of the posts that I have seen since I joined this January that I can remember.
I personally would've wired the one in that video without it. It seems as though he didn't make such a huge shape shifting bend.
This will make me more aware of my intentions before I wire more things than I have been. Thanks!
 

Japonicus

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Here is a cascade I have been working on for a while. Perhaps 7 years. It is due for a wiring soon.
View attachment 190095

The size of that blue pot in an earthenware colour would be more flattering and less hassle to water properly,
but the one Sorce offered was half as tall as that blue pot you have this one posed on.
Yours looks very clean and healthy :)

I'm hoping the one I repotted recently pulls through and puts out better growth. Seems a bit weak to me.
 

M. Frary

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This is new to me really (the why we use raffia). It is rare to see a tree...I have never seen a tree on BN pre-wired with raffia
in any of the posts that I have seen since I joined this January that I can remember

20170916_154042.jpg
Left bottom branch
First one I've ever done but there are more to come this year.
I found I really like being able to bend large branches and trunks.
I ordered the heaviest wire I could and am going to be bending the shit out of some trees this year.
 

Japonicus

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View attachment 190659
Left bottom branch
First one I've ever done but there are more to come this year.
I found I really like being able to bend large branches and trunks.
I ordered the heaviest wire I could and am going to be bending the shit out of some trees this year.
Very nice Mike. You ROCK! but...
You've no idea how spooky that post was. I was just on the 3rd pg of thread "my 1st wiring" DragonMaster posted
looking at this picture. Finished the read, and when I linked here from the alert of your quote, the page loaded but I was immediately
directed back to DM's thread...this picture! Did that 3x so I just fired up the desk top to reply.

Very nice tree Mike. I bet that was a scary exhilarating moment whilst bending.
Did/do you increase the torque over time with the guy wire rather all in one go of it?
Not saying folks don't use it, I just hadn't noticed iraffia on wiring jobs.
 

cockroach

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One shot. I had Vance Wood had Vance Hanna there to direct me.
I was in good hands!
My nuts still tingle when I bend any branch with a larger diamtere than my pinkie.

I love the little literati!
Nice job!
Thanks!

The size of that blue pot in an earthenware colour would be more flattering and less hassle to water properly,
but the one Sorce offered was half as tall as that blue pot you have this one posed on.
Yours looks very clean and healthy :)

I'm hoping the one I repotted recently pulls through and puts out better growth. Seems a bit weak to me.
Say what now?! Did I miss Sorce offering a pot. Show me the pot!
 
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