Black hills spruce pruning
- Thread starter Cody
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sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I'm watching this right now!
https://live.bonsaimirai.com/archive/video/detail-wiring-pt.-1-mechanics
S
https://live.bonsaimirai.com/archive/video/detail-wiring-pt.-1-mechanics
S
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
It is a very simple routine that I detailed in this post on another thread. It applies to all spruce, fir, and pseudotsuga (maybe more). The response, in terms of back budding varies by species/variety.
ezpz
Thank you very much! Very helpful!
@sorce, Ryan gives a very detailed and throrough description on how to wire in that video. And, he shows how to properly prune to make wiring easier.
I’m amazed it’s a free video!
Thanks for posting it!
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Ok, now that you’ve watched Ryan’s video, you will be able to understand and appreciate what I’m about to tell you:
See that area I circled in red? That’s an area where you did not “pinch “ with your left hand. (The hand not wrapping the wire). You either got going too fast, or the wire got too stiff for you to keep it neatly just touching the branch. It also might be that you were holding the wire too close to the branch. That’s a common mistake. It’s better to hold the wire with the wrapping hand out by about 4 or 5 inches away from the branch being wired. The leverage is better, and the wire just seems to lay better.
Also, wasn’t it interesting in the beginning he said he likes the angle to be 55 to 60 degrees along the branch. Most publications always say 45 degrees, which is too tightly wound. I’ve said 60 degrees in some posts, and people would disagree because it says 45 degrees in this or that book!
This is why I will often state that the books are misleading. In person learning us much better. While a video is not “in person”, Ryan uses multiple camera angles, and multiple examples to illustrate his techniques.
Watch it again, and then go look at your wiring and see if you can improve on it. It’s really the best way to learn! Remove the poorly done wire and replace it.
Also, I like how he used the pipe cleaners to do “dry run” trials. I sometimes use very thin aluminum to do the exact same thing!
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I twisted that branch backwards that's how the wire got gappy......broke that branch too.
S
Ah. In that case, you should have been spinning the wire on the other way. I try not to twist branches very much. I have found that testing is much more stressful to branches than bending. (I’ll twist a little, but not a lot). If you like to style by twisting, then you really have to pay attention to the direction of twist, and plan your wiring accordingly.
Kathy Shaner likes to twist when she styles. So she wires loosely, and makes sure it will tighten as she twists. It works for her.
But for us mere mortals, I recommend traditional wiring and bending. One concept I find that works well is to make sure to have wire on the outside of a curve that you intend to bend. Then, when you do the bend, “bend the wire, not the branch”. You’remuch less prone to breaking branches that way!
River's Edge
Masterpiece
One further suggestion is to use two pair of wire pliers on the wire to grip and bend the wire rather than the branch. This gives one more control and less likely to break the branch. It is also a neat technique for adjusting loose areas if needed. One pair is used to hold the wire in position prior to the bend and the other pair used to manipulate the bend. With a little practise it is very effective and controlled.
@Riversedgebonsai I have seen this numerous times, and have begun using it, it does take some practice, but I do see how it makes a difference.
I have also been practicing wiring some dead branches, I feel it useless, but then think about if I damage or kill a tree because of my rookie mistake, so then I go back to my mantra: "Patience, Patience, and practice makes for better results" haha.
Thanks for the tips.
I have also been practicing wiring some dead branches, I feel it useless, but then think about if I damage or kill a tree because of my rookie mistake, so then I go back to my mantra: "Patience, Patience, and practice makes for better results" haha.
Thanks for the tips.
River's Edge
Masterpiece
My favorite comment that i often repeat is take your time and pay attention to detail! With two pliers i try to ensure a good grip on opposite diagonals with one full turn between the diagonals if that makes sense to you. Also to make the bend in stages, coil to coil. I found when i spread the pliers out too much the wire tightens up too much in some areas ( both ends) rather than as evenly as i would like.
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