Moving branches. Advanced grafting techniques are applied to a Ficus with great success

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technique Moving branches Advanced grafting techniques are applied to a Ficus with great success Tex: and photography JosE 0 RIvera Jose Rivera of Puerto Rico was inspired by the work of Nobuichi

1 technique Moving branches Advanced grafting techniques are applied to a Ficus with great success Tex: and photography JosE 0 RIvera Jose Rivera of Puerto Rico was inspired by the work of Nobuichi Urushibata, who used adv'-..nced graft techniques to reposition large branches. Ficus are known as strong and vigorous trees on which many grafting eltperi ments are carried out. Will this tree also take kindly to this special technique? Jose takes up the challenge Bonsai Convention o ~ 1.9: _. E:S; they have.:;rlooked Some time after the wo!'); ::r. - ~ s..ar:ro I was still not satisfied with its struc":u. _. i~~u. - ~~ -: ~htough a process of multiple trnnsfonna "0'1" Restyling the Ficus In January 2009 I began my first year of study at the European School of Bonsai in Puerto Rico organized by Master Salvatore Liporace. I decided to use this opportunity of bringing along my Ficus to work on it and change its design. As part of the work, I eliminated a large root on the left side and also turned the tree 5 degrees to the left. I then left it to develop. As you can see in the first pictures, the Ficus'has its first two parallel branches extending out to form a cross, which is not an ideal shape. After observing the development of the tree for a period of time I decided to start a process that would improve its structure by moving one of the tree's lower branches. I had decided that grafti ng was the one possible technique I could use to fix this problem.

$The tree a f te~ :he workshop '.'.'ith Farrand Bloch #;, "'a.. t,,~ t v'l,".',\.~,, 'Ir : :.... '.-,,. '.. " "(.'... ~.". ~ ~ ",i',... '" ",1'. " 'fl '..... ", J"...' ;,~~5!' ~ ;r~.1':".(... :. :.-.. '- :~~.$

2 The tree a f te~ :he workshop '.'.'ith Farrand Bloch #;, "'a.. t,,~ t v'l,".',\.~,, 'Ir : :.... '.-,,. '.. " "(.'... ~.". ~ ~ ",i',... '" ",1'. " 'fl '..... ", J"...' ;,~~5!' ~ ;r~.1':".(... :. :.-.. '- :~~.., ~.~~ f.:.....:.;f't " " ~ ' r... ;{., /. {' ". ~1. " <"1)".'1,, " I' "\-~.",\"\. -. i'~'.~. ~. { j.j.:: ~. ' r (..<...:6: <+ ~ ~~- : ; II!":.. The tree it: 1999 its first t'.'lo parallel 'orancnes xtend ou t ~ o form a cross Urushibata's technique First I developed aerial roots on each of the two lower branches. the roots of which grew into small pots. This enabled me to decide which branch better suited grafting. I saw this procedure before in the work carried out by Japanese bonsai Master Nobuichi Urushibata in an earlier issue of Bonsai Focus (May/June 2008). In this edition he shows how branches can be separated and placed elsewhere on the branch using whips that grow roots and feed the branch. After eleven months of developing the aerial roots. they were healthy and strong. I decided to start the process of moving one of these primary branches. The photographs that follow show how this was achieved. Totally new design Using advanced grafting techniques was just the beginning of a new design process for the tree. Other things needed to be done. such as aligning its apex with the base of the trunk. lower its overall height and restyle some of the other branches. I decided to move the branch on the right of the tree 25 cm / 1" lower on the trunk. This process entails cutting off the branch. making a hole in the trunk with a drill bit and then grafting the branch back on the tree. Through this process the branch will be temporarily fed by the aerial root that was previously developed. until the grafted branch and trunk merge and scar. Fixing the branch tightly to the trunk is a critical step in this process. If the branch has any movement during the healing period. the whole process could fail. bon~q; I 35 Focus

3 Detail oi. e ai r roots wh:cn an: gto'}!mg in separate containers. Thev will feed he branches when they are removed I!= A clean eu is necessary to make the operation a success Detail of he cut off branch together '1:",'. feecling wnl!\~' et the b aneh has bee detached from ti-~ runk, a nng of lhe bark IS removed 'rom its cut en This will be inserted later..,to lhe new h e 1 will maf.e i the nunk I, at After removi ng the cambiwr I measm ;he iameter of he cut end WI h r-allipe!3 io as o detem,me the size of the bo ro m3jce in the unk Here using a Forstner ddil bi, the type typically used t make : itchen cabine s Th

4 Fix the branch tightly to the trunk. After the branch IS fixed m position. I apply a layer of sphagnum moss to the joint to keep it moist while healing bonsai I 37 Focus

I needed to address another concern I had with the left branch that I'd left in its original position. This branch was directing its growth upwards and I needed it to grow laterally.

5 I needed to address another concern I had with the left branch that I'd left in its original position. This branch was directing its growth upwards and I needed it to grow laterally. I use a technique I learned at a demonstration in Taiwan, in which a fine cut is made on the underside of the branch and close to the trunk. This allowed me to lower the branch without the need of using the traditional inverted 'v' cut. I also used this technique on the second left branch to fix the direction of growth upwards. FinaIIy As I have demonstrated here, the correct use of grafting could drastically transform a tree that might have a defunct structure or maybe lacks branches. If carried out correctly it is also a very satisfying process. Should you wish to see more techniques I have used on other trees, please visit my blog Bonsai en el Tropico (Bonsai in the Tropics) at To promote the he ling process sphagn m moss is applied around the wound. Tnen to prevent the moss from drying out I apply a wate ng sys em which keeps it mois - ne srructure of the ee is slowly reaching he pos-. on I had in mind. However, here IS s 'll mud'. :. 0 do on Its styling me months la ter. I e iminated he aerial root of the leftbranc, as it '.vas no longer needed in the process; the u der c ts on the branches had heale and the grafte branch was merging '.Vith the main runk. th nks to aerial roots that developed a t the base of t e joint Detail of the healed w und where the lowered branch was once growing

6 On )anualy 2011! restyled the tree. changed its pesinon in the pot and picked a ne'.'.' branch that will better serve as its apex and align with the oase of the ' runk By March its foliage was deveioping fast and m",' branching had started to emerge: In september 2011! transferred :he,ref: to a new po t At this point the tree only needed some of its branches styling to enhance the look of its new structure The whole transformation process took 2 years and J can say that I consider it was a very sansfying transforrnanon bons:a; I 39 Focus

7 I Standing proud y nex 0 my \Vori<. t'.e brand. se ng and ramification have really improved

8 " With the aid of advanced grafting techniques, I could drastically change this tree into a fine bonsai. i.'.... ' '... ' The tree in 2012 The tree seen from the Ie:! side bonsai I 41 Focus

EXPOSED ROOT STYLE BONSAI

EXPOSED ROOT STYLE BONSAI I. OBJECTIVES Chapter 16 As a result of studying this section of the Intermediate Bonsai Syllabus and viewing audio visual presentations listed in an APPENDIX or participating