Raffia

RonMartin(deceased)

With care it can be bent double without breaking it.

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RonMartin(deceased)

The proof in the pudding. No breaks. The raffia will do the same for a branch. By spreading the stress out the branch should not snap when it is done right.
If you just joined me go back 5 posts and maybe this will make sense ;o)

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RonMartin(deceased)

But not if one is just bending them ;o)

Hank Miller

Two other alternatives: If there is a Chinese shop in you area ask if they have a ball of the string used (in Taiwan) on packages to be mailed. It is very inexpensive and works well. Slightly more expensive (because of the the quantity involved) are the new varieties of bailer twine. We also have trouble getting raffia and have found these alternatives quite useful. Hank

RonMartin(deceased)

Hank Don't they have any craft stores in your town ??

Rich Zieminski

In my humble opinion raffia is by far a better material for bending branches of larger size. The reason I say this is that raffia when wet is very pliable, but not elastic, so one can get a really tight rap on the branch. With multiple layers rapped tightly one has excellent protection like the cig rapper. Also the raffia protects the branch from marking. By this I mean that when multiple layers of raffia are used and wire is put over it, the raffia acts as a spacer to protect the bark. Thus you can leave the wire inplace longer without damaging the bark.

Also raffia will dry out and rot away over time. Here in the south this happens at about the time the wire needs to come off. So one has a signal to remove the wire built in to the bent branch.

The electical tapes and even the garden tapes that I have seen are elastic so getting a really tight rap is difficult if not impossible to do. I have seen the garden tape used successfully on smaller, say up to 1/2 inch branches, but the bends were not severe.

If raffia is not available dryed reed material can be used very effectively. When wet it is maliable and also does not stretch. Multiple layers can be tightly applied and it will behave like raffia.
Just an alternate material to try out.

Have not seen the twine that has been mentioned. I have a question, how wide is it and can it be overlapped as one does with raffia? I think the key to rapping is the overlap for strength. Don't know for sure.

Just some thoughts.

Richard

Bonsainut

Richmeister,
Right on good ideas. Another reason for raffia over other alternatives is the wet and dry cycle is the same as the bark. I have experimented with many types of items, many, like tapes that are waterproof keep the bark underneath wet and it stays wet.
Ever seen a 12 inch elm trunk totally covered in roots? A complete airlayer from ground to top of taped area. And a pulpy squishy bark underneath.
Im sticking with the raffia, cheap, easy to get, and a perfect tool for the job.



http://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/raffia.html

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Lethal Use of Farce

GaryS

Ron,



I may be wrong but......

As a former smoker I can see the telltale signs of nicotine on your left fingers. 8-0

Are you left handed?

Smoking is hazardous to your health

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GaryS