bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post

Pinching is the key. Cut back to five leaves, just like a rose bush. The ends should sprout buds. If this works, then you can cut back to two leaves. You should be able to ramify you branches from there. Usaully a tree needs some sort of stimulation(no not that) to grow more branches. When you pinch and prune, you cause the tree to think:"hey i'm loseing twigs and leaves too fast, I better grow more in a hurry or I'm going to starve. So the tree pushes "auxin" a hormone to tell the adventitious buds to wake up and get to steppin. It's all so scientific you know. Hope this helps, Regards, Bonsaial

1-Feb-2002	#5
bonsaial1 Bonsai Doer Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Fresno, CA Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 13SH Posts: 5,540	Re: Encouraging Branching Pinching is the key. Cut back to five leaves, just like a rose bush. The ends should sprout buds. If this works, then you can cut back to two leaves. You should be able to ramify you branches from there. Usaully a tree needs some sort of stimulation(no not that) to grow more branches. When you pinch and prune, you cause the tree to think:"hey i'm loseing twigs and leaves too fast, I better grow more in a hurry or I'm going to starve. So the tree pushes "auxin" a hormone to tell the adventitious buds to wake up and get to steppin. It's all so scientific you know. Hope this helps, Regards, Bonsaial __________________ If you can't be a player...be an athletic supporter!