Joanie

There is much to think about in this article. What point is there in taking cuttings that are straight and uninteresting, and growing them without creating movement and taper? What point is there in an airlayer of an uninteresting portion of a completely straight trunk?

Work on movement needs to be started as soon as the tree is strong enough to overcome it. Either wiring or directional pruning, or a combination of both, taking into consideration the ultimate size that would be best for the species. Why grow "wood" quickly, if it does not have what you want for bonsai?

I've started wiring my cuttings, so that they have movement right from the beginning. It is easier to cut the wire off after the cutting has developed roots, than it is to wire the cutting after rooting has begun. Wiring the cutting as it is removed from the parent plant gives the opportunity to start out with movement immediately, and taking into consideration where the internodes are, you can plan the branch structure of a future mame or shohin. When the wire is removed, after the roots have grown and the wood is lignified, the tree does not need to be wired again and it can grow unhindered. Some stock is only able to be wired when very young, and will snap if wiring is left too late.

Not enough attention is paid to nebari and underlying root structures. There is no need to let the roots wind round and round the pot, or develop one-sided, when methods exist to create better root systems right from the start. A little care and attention early on, will give a rewarding result in years to come.

If a particular species grows long internodes when field grown, and doesn't bud back between internodes, then don't try to field grow it and still make a smaller tree from it. Or, use methods of shortening the internodes while field growing it. Bear in mind the ultimate use of the tree, and by making sure that smaller internodes exist on the entire trunk, you give yourself options that will help you to succeed in the future.

Thanks for the article Al, it's definitely true.

Joanie

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