What are the alternative techniques for stump bonsai
In addition to the commonly used methods such as wiring and bending, pruning, leaf removal and bud removal, there are also some alternative shaping techniques for stump bonsai, mainly the following:
The bark-prying method. That is, during the vigorous growth season of the tree, use a sharp knife to pierce into the cambium of the trunk bark layer, then gently pry a few times to temporarily separate the bark from the xylem. You can also insert a suitably sized stone into the pried-open bark, then wrap and bind it with hemp fiber or palm fiber. After the wound heals, the trunk becomes locally swollen and raised, presenting an aged, dignified appearance.
The tearing method. That is, for branches that need thinning, do not use scissors but use your hands to tear them off together with the bark and part of the xylem, exposing a wooden groove on the tree. After the wound heals, it looks as if it formed naturally, giving people a sense of antique elegance and aged charm.
The stick-bending method. That is, use sticks of suitable thickness such as wooden sticks, bamboo poles, iron rods, hard plastic pipes, iron pipes, etc. as supports. According to the shaping design, wrap the main trunk of a young tree around the support to bend it into shape. According to the trunk shape and bending degree required by the shaping design, one, two or even three sticks can be cleverly combined and used. Because iron pipes conduct heat quickly, which is unfavorable to trunk growth, cloth strips, hemp fiber and other materials can be wrapped around the surface of the iron pipe for heat insulation. The trees suitable for bending by this method are all 2-3 year old young trees. Trees with a long tree age and a hard trunk are not suitable. After bending, bind them firmly with rope, and during maintenance prune and shape the leaves. After 1-2 years of binding, remove the sticks, and after a little processing, it becomes a stump bonsai with natural curves and graceful, elegant postures.
The knot method. When using this method for shaping, generally choose young trees with soft branches and trunks. At a place not high above the ground on the main trunk, tie a knot or make a 360-degree circle, bind it slightly, and after several years of cultivation (while also raising the roots), pruning and processing, it can become a stump bonsai of beautiful and unique form. The Yang style often uses plum saplings to make knotted plum stump bonsai.
The bark-removal method. That is, on the viewing side of the stump bonsai, on the middle and lower part of the trunk, vertically remove a piece of bark in an irregular shape, exposing the xylem. After the wound heals and forms a scar, the trunk appears aged and beautiful.
The trunk-splitting method. That is, on the viewing side of the tree, on the middle and lower part of the trunk, first remove a piece of bark, then use a sharp knife or small chisel to remove about 1/3 of the xylem. After scarring, a concave wooden area is exposed, to show the antiquity and peculiarity of the stump bonsai. However, the trunk splitting must not be too deep; at deepest it must not exceed 1/2 of the trunk diameter; nor should there be too many, generally 1-2 places on one tree is enough, otherwise it will affect the growth of the tree and give the impression of being "riddled with holes."
The branch-breaking method. (1) The break-and-leave-a-mark method. That is, at the part of the tree branch or trunk to be broken, first saw a groove with a saw, as deep as about half the diameter of the branch, then tear it off together with the bark and xylem. After the wound heals, it looks just as if it grew naturally, with a beautiful form. (2) The break-but-not-sever method. That is, first wrap the branch to be broken with metal wire, then break the branch halfway (broken but not severed, the branch still survives). The angle and position of the break are determined by the shaping needs. Generally, only one or two branches are broken on one tree. The broken-branch curve is stiff and vigorous, opening up a new style.
The vertical bark-splitting method. If some trunks are smooth and lack an aged look, in spring you can make several vertical cuts on the trunk, deep to the xylem. After the wounds heal, the bark becomes rough and aged.
The trunk-cleaving method. That is, split the trunk vertically. According to different shaping requirements, there are two operation methods: one is to split the roots and trunk into two, but not separate the crown, that is, split below but not above, still one tree; the other is to split the roots, trunk and crown all into two, becoming two plants, and with careful maintenance, two stump bonsai can be made.
For the trunk-cleaving method, tree species with strong vitality should be selected, such as pomegranate, yellow vitex (Vitex negundo), etc., and it should be carried out in spring before the trees sprout.