I snapped a branch on my bougie...

[BrazilianMoistWood]

Sooo.. got this bougie maybe 4 months ago, liked it because of the movement. I thought the wires were slowly dropping the branch so I propped it back up a bit but it decided to go *ker-SNAP* on me..

Ive been keeping the leaves misted hoping for the break to recover, I probably should have wrapped it in graphing tape or something to keep moisture in but the bark is looking like the same colour as the dead branch beside it that perished during the great battle of aphids..


My main worry is that the branch will die back to the vertical branch back towards the trunk losing most of the nice movement.. if what’s beyond the break dies that’s not the end of the world as it’s not very old growth (comparatively)

even if it does die back to the vertical it will still be a very attractive tree i think

12 hours under Amazon grow light, consistent 68-71f

 

[Paradox]

Sooo.. got this bougie maybe 4 months ago, liked it because of the movement. I thought the wires were slowly dropping the branch so I propped it back up a bit but it decided to go *ker-SNAP* on me..

Ive been keeping the leaves misted hoping for the break to recover, I probably should have wrapped it in graphing tape or something to keep moisture in but the bark is looking like the same colour as the dead branch beside it that perished during the great battle of aphids..

View attachment 353516View attachment 353517View attachment 353518
My main worry is that the branch will die back to the vertical branch back towards the trunk losing most of the nice movement.. if what’s beyond the break dies that’s not the end of the world as it’s not very old growth (comparatively)

even if it does die back to the vertical it will still be a very attractive tree i think

12 hours under Amazon grow light, consistent 68-71f

The only thing you can do at this point is just leave it alone and hope it heals the break. Keep in mind that the area will always be weak and you should not try to keep bending it.
You might want to research and learn about wiring because the way that branch is wired is not correct and probably attributed to the break because the wire didnt support the branch when you bent it. Wiring is an art unto itself.

 

[Firstflush]

I have had a boug branch break about that size. It healed. Try to stabilize it and leave it alone.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Agree the wiring may have played a role in it.

I learned from Colin Lewis's free tutorial he had on Crafty.com.

In a pinch...I've taken super glue to the hardwood in the center and held it together...and the branch mended. But it needs done right away.

 

[BrazilianMoistWood]

The only thing you can do at this point is just leave it alone and hope it heals the break. Keep in mind that the area will always be weak and you should not try to keep bending it.
You might want to research and learn about wiring because the way that branch is wired is not correct and probably attributed to the break because the wire didnt support the branch when you bent it. Wiring is an art unto itself.

Wire was starting to bite in so I put it on the opposite direction... not very good at it yet

 

[Paradox]

Wire was starting to bite in so I put it on the opposite direction... not very good at it yet

That isnt the problem.
The wiring doesnt support the bend. You have too much space between loops and you dont anchor the wire properly down the trunk.

Its fine if you arent good at it. The point Im trying to make is that you should do yourself and your trees a favor and go and try to learn the right way so that you dont break another branch.
I am not trying to be mean here, I am trying to help you by giving you advice.

We all started somewhere and Lord knows Ive done some pretty bad wiring myself and I need to get better at it too.
The only way to get better is to learn the correct way and practice, practice, practice.

 

[shinmai]

It appears that you have intact cambium on the top side of the break. I would advise that you temporarily amend your wiring, straighten the broken section, and glue the broken side with Gorilla Glue. You might also consider cinching the break together with a small zip tie to pull it together. I’ve done this with a couple of azaleas and a quince, and successfully saved all three. Once the bond has really cured—like a couple of weeks—you can re-wire the affected branch, being sure to support the weak side of the bonded break. In my experience this works if roughly half or more of the cambium is intact. Different species will react in their own way after it heals—some, such as azaleas will back bud as if nothing happened. Others such as quince may have branch dieback on the broken side. The first time I heard that “CRACK” like a rifle shot, I thought the pooch was well and truly screwed, but it’s really by no means the end of the world.

 

[BrazilianMoistWood]

I straightened the branch when you guys advised to but didn’t apply glue or seals to the wound and noticed today it’s trying to back bud just before the break, makes me feel good it won’t die way back, if the end dies that’s ok, it will help with taper

 

[Cadillactaste]

I've done the super glue trick as well. Making sure to just put a dab on the center hard wood.

 

[BrazilianMoistWood]

It seems to be happy! Will let it continue to grow until I take it outside then do a good choppin
The new bud is growing like a bad weed and the stem is rather thick compared to the rest, is this normal?

 

[BrazilianMoistWood]

First styling since clothe crack, did some research on how to properly wire, I think I did ok.. if you see a heck up let me know so I don’t do it again!!

 

[BrazilianMoistWood]

Now that spring/summer is here this bougie has been outside quite a bit pushing new growth but it only seems to push the one bud (now a solid branch) that came before the break, after the break there is no new growth at all, only a couple small leaves right at the tip of the branch, should they be cut back to stimulate growth?

 

[Wulfskaar]

I like the .50 cal ammo can! I've lugged a few of those around back in the day. The pigs are nice too.

 

[Cadillactaste]

If the branch is struggling. The last thing I would do is force it to do more.

 

[hinmo24t]

Thing is rad !!

 

[Tieball]

I've cinched branch breaks together with narrow strips of old bicycle inner tubes. For me the rubber compresses well and still leaves a stretch for the branch growth. I cut inner tubes into 1/2” or 1/4” strips for odd uses on trees.

 

[BrazilianMoistWood]

Lots of growth and it seems to be quite happy! Above the break that is... looking like I will have to remove the dangling branch... the way it’s grown I feel quite pleased with the appearance. The top branch that I thought was trying to die is starting to push new growth as well! Left the wire on a little long... time flies when you’re having fun I suppose!