bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Fig trunk fuse experiment

Tia,
Now that the trunks are fusing it is time to chop back the top growth. Branches need to be encouraged to grow at the proper lower levels and these will not grow unless you discourage the apex growth. You can see how wimpy the lower branches are now compared to the strength in the apex.
1. Leave 1-3 branches at the apex but chopped back to maybe 25% below your final tree height. That will give you room to grow out the final apex.
2. Select a branch or two at each level to be your branch. So a number one, two and three, and then more cycling around the trunk as you go up to the apex.
3. Allow these lowest branches to grow wildly. Keep their tips aimed up but once they begin growing strongly they need to be lowered to postiion with wire.
Hope this makes sense.
Jerry

1-Apr-2007	#8
Jerry Meislik bonsaiTALK Master Join Date: Nov-2003 Location: Whitefish Montana Country: United States USDA Zone: 4 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 465	Tia, Now that the trunks are fusing it is time to chop back the top growth. Branches need to be encouraged to grow at the proper lower levels and these will not grow unless you discourage the apex growth. You can see how wimpy the lower branches are now compared to the strength in the apex. 1. Leave 1-3 branches at the apex but chopped back to maybe 25% below your final tree height. That will give you room to grow out the final apex. 2. Select a branch or two at each level to be your branch. So a number one, two and three, and then more cycling around the trunk as you go up to the apex. 3. Allow these lowest branches to grow wildly. Keep their tips aimed up but once they begin growing strongly they need to be lowered to postiion with wire. Hope this makes sense. Jerry __________________ Jerry Meislik Whitefish Montana USA Zone 4-5 http://www.bonsaihunk.us/