Pinch Snap
Care of Bonsai Trees -Getting Into Shape By Cutting and Pinching
At some time your bonsai tree is going to require pruning to keep it in shape – and as this is a very crucial aspect of care of bonsai trees it is best to be very sure of what you’re doing as, like Humpty Dumpty, once a branch has been cut you can’t put it back together again.
Pruning not only encourages new growth, but is necessary to maintain the correct shape of your tree. Even with the youngest plant, you want to create an image of great age and endurance. Bonsai is also a very strict art form, with some very precise rules determining shape and style. If you know the basics for the care of bonsai trees you will know there are two main styles of tree – the very classic “Koten” formal style and the informal “Bunjin” style. However there are many subsets within these two categories. Some of the more common include upright, cascading, leaning, windswept, multi-trunk and roots over a rock. All require proper pruning to maintain the correct shape for the proper care of bonsai trees.
The natural shape of your tree will determine its basic style but your pruning will enhance or, if you get it wrong, destroy the beauty of your tree. You don’t want to undermine all the other hard work you have done to deliver the correct care of bonsai trees. The first thing to research is the best time of year to prune your individual tree. This will depend very much on the variety of tree you have, but generally speaking the best time to prune new growth is in the spring, and old season growth is usually cut in the autumn.
One of the main ways to prune conifers, such as cedar and juniper, is to simply pinch back new growth that is appearing in the wrong place. To do this, hold the branch with one hand, pinch the growth you want to remove between the thumb and forefinger of your other hand, then give a sharp twist to snap off that growth. With deciduous trees, such as elm, it is better to use a very sharp pair of scissors, but make sure they are sterilized first as you don’t want to introduce a disease to your tree. Trim shoots back to the next set of leaves; however make sure you leave that next foliage untouched so your tree is left with a natural look.
Some leaf pruning may be needed to remove unsightly dead or blemished leaves. Removing leaves is also essential for the proper care of bonsai trees such as fiscus to reduce leaf size. It also helps intensify the autumn leaf colour of deciduous bonsai such as maples. This type of pruning is usually done in mid-summer with a pair of scissors but, as previously stated, is suited to only some plants.
Pinching and leaf pruning take care of new growth but there will be times when you also need to cut away the previous season’s growth. You need to look carefully at the shape of your tree before considering which branches to remove. You want to end up with a tree with an uncluttered, aesthetic shape. Branches which detract from the overall appearance will include any that cross each other, those that are growing from the underside of main branches or those that are growing back toward the trunk. While removing those you will also need to ensure you leave extra branches on any weak area of the trunk to help promote growth there.
Remember whatever you do to the top of your tree affects the roots below. You need to keep the branches and roots in balance. If you prune the top heavily and leave the roots alone you may trigger a growth spurt as nature tries to compensate.
Pruning the roots may be frightening for a beginner to contemplate, but it is in fact a fairly simple procedure and again essential for the proper care of bonsai trees. First gently remove your tree from its pot and, again gently, comb out all the roots. Remove the larger, thicker roots leaving the smaller, finer roots as these are more efficient at absorbing water. Even when a severe prune is needed, never remove more than two-thirds of the root system.
After a severe root pruning your tree will need some tender loving care, including a good soaking to ensure it has plenty of water. Some plants respond well to intense pruning, others take a while to recover. Again it is all dependent on the type of tree you have. If shown the proper care of bonsai trees, your plant should live for many years, even centuries, becoming an heirloom to pass down from generation to generation.
About the Author
If you want to learn more about the
care of bonsai trees
, follow this link.
|
|
55mm Front Lens Cap Center-pinch Snap on Cover Fr Nikon Canon … $1.10 |
|
|
52mm Front Lens Cap Center-pinch Snap on Cover Fr Nikon Canon … $1.00 |
|
|
58mm Front Lens Cap Center-pinch Snap on Cover Fr Nikon Canon … $0.56 |
|
|
PINCH ON DARK RED / MAROON WINDLACE FORD MUSTANG MERCURY TOP QUALITY SNAP ON $13.99 |
|
|
Nikon 52mm center pinch lens cap w/ logo NEW LC-52 snap on $3.59 |
|
|
Titan Quick Snap Pinch Prong Dog Training Collar 14″ $12.99 |
|
|
72mm Snap-on lens cap center pinch + keeper + cleaning kit f/ Canon camera D-SLR $9.49 |
|
|
77mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap for Nikon LC-77 New $3.99 |
|
|
77mm Centre-Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap Cover with Cord for Nikon Lens LC-77 $2.49 |
|
|
55mm Center Pinch Snap-On Lens Cap for Nikon Canon Sony $2.26 |
|
|
58mm Centre-Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap Cover with Cord for Canon Camera new $2.99 |
|
|
67mm Centre-Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap Cover with Cord for Nikon Camera Lens $2.49 |
|
|
52mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap/Cover for Canon —High Quality&LOW PRICE $1.70 |
|
|
58mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap/Cover for Canon —High Quality&LOW PRICE $2.50 |
|
|
67mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap/Cover for Canon —High Quality&LOW PRICE $2.60 |
|
|
72mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap/Cover for Canon —High Quality&LOW PRICE $2.60 |
|
|
Camera 49mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.29 |
|
|
Camera 52mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.29 |
|
|
Camera 55mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.29 |
|
|
Camera 58mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.29 |
|
|
Camera 62mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.49 |
|
|
Camera 67mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.49 |
|
|
Camera 72mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.49 |
|
|
Camera 77mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.49 |
|
|
Camera 82mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters $1.49 |
|
|
49mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.94 |
|
|
52mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.89 |
|
|
55mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.94 |
|
|
58mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.99 |
|
|
62mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.99 |
|
|
67mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $2.17 |
|
|
72mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $2.01 |
|
|
77mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.99 |
|
|
82mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $2.99 |
|
|
Center Pinch Snap Front Lens Cover Cap fits UV Filter $5.99 |
|
|
55mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap fo Canon LC-55 $1.68 |
|
|
62mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap fo Canon LC-62 $1.68 |
|
|
55mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap fo Nikon LC-55 $1.68 |
|
|
62mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap fo Nikon LC-62 $1.68 |
|
|
58mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap fo Nikon LC-58 $1.68 |
|
|
58mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap w/ Leash For Nikon 58 Pinch $2.19 |
|
|
86mm Center Pinch Snap On Lens Cap for Canon Nikon Sony Tamron $5.99 |
|
|
2 Pack 49MM Center Pinch Snap On Front Cap For Camera Lens / Filters $4.71 |
|
|
58mm Snap On Center Pinch Cap w/Leash For Nikon Lens with 58 mm filter thread $4.49 |
|
|
49mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap Cover for Lens / Filters 49 mm $2.75 |
|
|
2 Pack Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters 46mm 46 mm $3.89 |
|
|
72mm 2 X Snap-on lens cap center pinch + UV filter for Nikon 18-200mm D90 D40 $8.07 |
|
|
72mm 2 X Snap-on lens cap center pinch + keeper + cleaning kit for Nikon D-SLR $9.49 |
|
|
49mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap Cover for Lens / Filters 49 mm $2.79 |
|
|
49mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap for Lens / Filters 49 mm $2.62 |
|
|
52mm 52 mm lens cap for canon EOS EF EF-S lens Center-Pinch Snap-On Front LC 52 $1.29 |
|
|
58mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For canon Center-Pinch Hot Sell And Free $3.75 |
|
|
58mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For canon Center-Pinch Hot Sell New Product $3.65 |
|
|
67mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell And High Quality $3.65 |
|
|
67mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell And Free $3.55 |
|
|
67mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell New Hot Sell Product $3.50 |
|
|
62mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell New Product And Free $3.85 |
|
|
62mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell New Product $3.80 |
|
|
New 67mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap For Lens Cap US $3.29 |
|
|
New 58mm Center Pinch Snap on Front Cap For Lens Cap US $3.09 |
|
|
62mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell And High Quality $3.75 |
|
|
52mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap for Nikon 18-55mm 35mm 50mm 55-200mm $2.50 |
|
|
58mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap for Nikon 58mm Filters Lens $2.50 |
|
|
58mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap for Canon 58mm Filters Lens $2.50 |
|
|
52mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap for Canon 52mm Filters Lens $2.50 |
|
|
72mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell New Product And Free $3.85 |
|
|
72mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell New Product $3.80 |
|
|
72mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Nikon Center-Pinch Hot Sell New $3.70 |
|
|
77 77mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Nikon $0.32 |
|
|
77 77mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Canon $0.06 |
|
|
72 72mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Nikon $0.32 |
|
|
72 72mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Canon $0.06 |
|
|
67 67mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Nikon $0.32 |
|
|
67 67mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Canon $1.23 |
|
|
62 62mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Nikon $0.11 |
|
|
62 62mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Canon $0.11 |
|
|
58 58mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Nikon $0.06 |
|
|
58 58mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Canon $0.70 |
|
|
55 55mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Nikon $0.06 |
|
|
55 55mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Canon $0.69 |
|
|
52 52mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Nikon $0.06 |
|
|
52 52mm Center Pinch Snap-on Front Lens Cap for Canon $0.06 |
|
|
72mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y268 $2.49 |
|
|
77mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y269 $2.59 |
|
|
55mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y270 $2.39 |
|
|
58mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y271 $2.49 |
|
|
62mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y272 $2.59 |
|
|
72mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y268 $2.49 |
|
|
77mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y269 $2.39 |
|
|
55mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y270 $1.89 |
|
|
58mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y271 $1.99 |
|
|
62mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y272 $2.29 |
|
|
72mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y268 $2.49 |
|
|
77mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y269 $2.39 |
|
|
55mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y270 $1.89 |
|
|
58mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y271 $1.99 |
|
|
62mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y272 $2.29 |
|
|
72mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y268 $2.49 |
|
|
77mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Canon Camera With Cord Y269 $2.39 |
|
|
55mm Center-pinch Snap-on Lens Cap Hood Cover For Nikon Camera With Cord Y270 $1.89 |
