Giving proper shape to a Bonsai
plant is most important chapter in Bonsai Art. All Bonsai lovers will think of
having a beautiful Bonsai. Beauty to comes to the plant through correct
training and pruning methods. They have significant role in giving a
pleasing look to a Bonsai plant.
Training a Bonsai tree is giving a correct cut at
correct place that is node of the plant where the leaf starts growing.
Knowing about function of the node is more important before making
a cut on a Bonsai plant. All plants have nodes and inter nodes. Nodes
and inter nodes are important parts of Plant Biology. Without nodes, the plant cannot develop leaves or branches. Even hardwood deciduous trees like Oaks, with life spans of more than 5000 years, and annuals and perennials of herbaceous plants, have nodes and inter nodes.
Above photo shows nodes and Inter nodes of a plant. Here the space between two consecutive nodes more. Most of the plants have long inter nodes, i.e, here in below picture the space between two consecutive nodes is clearly shown.
Plants of different species have different inter nodal spaces. The Space between Two consecutive nodes that is between two leaves is very less in below photographs. These plant are having very less inter nodal space.
This photo shows long inter nodal space
Where and how to cut a leaf at nodal point
If the leaves are alternate cut is along with leaf angle 
The angular cut above the leaf is helps to prevent water damage from stem and it heals fast so no disease. And cut looks natural.
If the leaves are opposite Cut will be in between leaves
Nodes are the important functional part of a plant where leaves, branches, flowers, fruits, and aerial roots originate on the stem. Nodes are responsible for proper propagation of the plant.
Always New branches and flowers will rise from the node of the plant. Below first photo shows growing of a branch from the node above the leaf.
Branch is growing from a node of leaf.
In Second photo it is clearly visible of growth of a flower from the node of a plant. There are Axillary buds at nodes of the leaf, they develop in to flowers and branches.
These are the apical or terminal buds they are developing into flowers from base of apical node of leaf.
When pruning a Bonsai plant or any plant, a cut should be made above the node, so regrowth of the plant will be proper. In Bonsai, conventional method of cutting and pruning is always above
the node of a leaf of a stem.
To maintain height of a Bonsai plant remove the top bud (apical bud or tropical bud) , then the axillary buds becomes active and many new branches will develops from the leaf axil. Allow the new branches to develop 6 to eight pars of leaves, then remove the top bud of the branch, then there new branches will develop on the primary branch. The plant will have a compact growth with many branches .
This video explains how to make cut above the leaf .
Inter node is the part or space between two consecutive nodes. Inter nodes carry water, hormones, nutrients from one node to the other. Any cut made at inter nodal space make that portion of a stem to die back .
Here a wrong cut is happen above the node at inter nodal space ,usually if the cut is made like that, there are chances of die back of that portion will happen.
However, in some plants like dwarf conifers, evergreens, pinus taeda,Bald cypress,Norwey spruce,Thuja occidentalis,Yew, and Boxwood,inter nodes are shorter, which makes the leaves more dense. These plants can be made into ornamental shapes ( art of Topiary) by clipping or by pruning. These plants are also can be made in to Bonsai plants because of their shorter nodes, they look so beautiful with dense foliage.
Leaves with shorter inter nodes Pine plant under training
The response of Bonsai plant is very important after cutting and pruning. In some instances if proper cut is not made at right place there are chances of survival of the plant becomes less. My advice is to study the nature and species of the plant, and follow proper technique that is cut above the node to give a proper shape to the plant. To maintain height of a plant remove top most new buds or leaves of the main trunk line. Then side branches will stat growing.
I tried to explain with some diagrams
On above photo, Apiary or terminal bud is removed on primary Branch. Now secondary branch is growing at the axil of the leaf node. then allow the second branch to grow , let it have some leaves , then one can remove terminal bud.
This is the Ideal growth of a Plant, But in Nature ideal growth wont be possible always. Then Depending on development of the branches one has to do cutting and pruning by understanding growth of a plant.
Bonsai plants are replica of miniature form of a tree growing in nature. Any time height of the Bonsai plant will remain small when compared to the huge trees. Training a Bonsai plant is more like an art.
In this century Bonsai is not only a gardening hobby Now it is more in to Art. Always Bonsai is artist's imagination and creativity which makes the Bonsai Tree Stand tall with its beauty among other plants.
Mr. Masahiko Kimura is a great Bonsai artist from japan, he is also called magician of Bonsai His creations are just like painters brush stokes which gives a wonderful look to Bonsai plants. He revolutionized the Art of Bonsai from traditional way of training in to modern Contemporary Art.
1 comment:
Mam , that is really an important and not much known concept you have shared.
Thank you...
Post a Comment