How to Wire a Tree into a Pot

BonsaiGreenhorn

Today, I had the time to repot 3 of my bonsai before work. I had read a lot about the whole process of repotting in the past few weeks and felt pretty confident at it. The wiring part (where you secure the tree into the pot) seemed a little tough but its time to repot and i would have to get through it.

The trees came out ok. But could have been better (in the pot tie downs, everything else was beauuuutifulll.)

So i guess what im trying to say is that I have some other trees that need repotting, and I would like to do a better job on the pot tie downs, a more stable tree, etc. I was using copper wire, about 1mm or a little larger on shohin size trees. From some help in the chat I've realized that this was probably too small.

Thanks to DaytonaBonsai and RedPine for help in the chat!

So any techiniques, tips, etc would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
-Evan

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Candy_J_Shirey

Evan-

Seems we always can pick-up a tip or two from workshops. Recently, Colin Lewis advocated his technique for securing a tree in the top: He uses twine to tie the tree into pot by threading the two ends of twine upward thru pot holes and tying the tree into the pot. The reasoning behind this technique is that the twine will disintegrate by the time the tree has established in the pot. Wire has a tendency to cut into roots and make ugly scars if not checked regularly/or regular repots are not performed.

-Candy

BonsaiGreenhorn

Actually, i heard that twine could work and used it on 1 of the 3 of my trees.

I just think I could do a better job, the trees still seem a little un-secure. Maybe I just have to wait for the roots to get established and then things will get better.

Anyone else?
-Evan

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BonsaiGreenhorn

Heres my neea potted.

Attached Images

	HPIM0576.JPG (51.8 KB, 129 views)
	HPIM0577.JPG (52.4 KB, 105 views)

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jeremy_norbury

The soil level looks too low...and the tree is planted so low we can't see the roots. I wouldn't normally expect to be able to see the inside walls of the pot.

Jerry

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pootsie

In my experience, young trees are harder to secure simply because they don't have large, hardened roots to wire down. A larger tree with strong nebari and large roots is easier to wire down.

FWIW
pootsie

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BonsaiGreenhorn

Im aware of this, unfortunetly i didnt have enough time to go back downstairs and get some more soil. thanks for the comment though.

More soil is in there now. Thx
-Evan

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HV66

How about securing trees in a pot with only one drainage hole, and no small holes for securing-wires?

What is the best technique?

Regards

Hans

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HV66Bonsai
BonsaiCafe

pootsie

Hi Hans.

Here is one method I use to secure a tree in a pot with only one hole, in this case, a terra cotta training pot.

You can wrap the securing wire around a larger piece of wire to hold it in place across the single hole.

Most bonsai potters these days include extra smaller holes just for the wire, to make this easier:
Dale pot with wire holes

pootsie

Attached Images

	WIRE IN POT.jpg (36.2 KB, 58 views)
	WIRE IN POT2.jpg (13.8 KB, 34 views)

__________________
p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master.
Columbus Bonsai Society