Clip & Grow : How to do the cut ?

[akhater]

I am trying to do clip and grow on a pyracantha branch before layering it but I can't figure out how to do the cut so it won't show in the tree. I guess that the cut never really hear so there shoud be a "way" to do it so it doesn't show

I cut a bit higher in case i need to cut again, any insight or help is appreciated


thanks

 

[akhater]

A bump maybe...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Clip and grow is more accurately, "grow and clip". In-season pinching back of active growth. A shoot grows 5 leaves long, and it is clipped back to 1-2. Those remaining 1-2 leaves have a latent bud at the axil, which is then signaled to grow. The process repeats, ramification increases.

The process doesn't really apply to material in the stage of the pyra in these photos. What specifically are you trying to accomplish?

 

[JudyB]

The cut will always show on some trees, you just have to be artful about arranging the branching around it. But in time all cuts look more natural as the difference between the large and small side lessens, and healing takes place. Then you just see a nice change of direction instead of the cut. Some trees heal so well you don't see them at all after time. I don't know about pyracantha.

And you are right to leave a stub, that allows for dieback, then you can clean it up.

 

[akhater]

Honestly I don't know what I would do without you two in the forum your support is very precious to me and a big thanks for this

Brian I am trying to accomplish the technique described here http://www.bonsaiprimer.com/trunk/trunk.html to give some movement and taper to the branch before I layer it

I have read the cut should be done toward the back of the tree but I can't figure out how to do this !

Judy does it look "ok" for now ? I mean the cut is well done for this stage ?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I have read the cut should be done toward the back of the tree but I can't figure out how to do this !

That just means that the 2nd photo shows your new tree's left side, and the third photo shows the tree's right side...the chop is the back. Bear in mind that the pyra won't close that wound...they just don't heal over, but that's ok. After the tree reroutes the sap flow around that cut, you can reduce it flush to get the taper you saw on the bonsai primer diagrams.

 

[daygan]

Honestly I don't know what I would do without you two in the forum your support is very precious to me and a big thanks for this

I second that. Judy and Brian always have valuable support and insight I kept looking at your question and thinking - I hope someone offers some advice because I have no idea

 

[JudyB]

I understand what you mean about having a hard time doing the cut at the back of the tree. But what Brian is describing is just that. And as the tree grows you'll be able to shave it down, and make it look more natural along with the expanding growth helping it along. Sometimes you have to do a cut based on what you think will be the back, and wait for a branch to appear in the right place, to continue the trunkline. Then you reduce down to that new branch.
The cut looks fine for now.

Daygan and Akhater, thanks for the nice words, I enjoy helping out, as I have been helped out!

 

[daygan]

Also, maybe Brian and Judy can answer - that section on trunk development in the Bonsai Primer site doesn't look like they're really talking about clip and grow so much as trunk-chopping to develop taper... have they mislabeled this, or do I misunderstand "clip & grow" ?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Also, maybe Brian and Judy can answer - that section on trunk development in the Bonsai Primer site doesn't look like they're really talking about clip and grow so much as trunk-chopping to develop taper... have they mislabeled this, or do I misunderstand "clip & grow" ?

You are correct, this isn't what I'd traditionally define as clip and grow, this is more a trunk chop. Clip and grow to me is what I described in post 3 above.

 

[jk_lewis]

that section on trunk development in the Bonsai Primer site doesn't look like they're really talking about clip and grow so much as trunk-chopping to develop taper... have they mislabeled this, or do I misunderstand "clip & grow" ?

And THAT is why the Internt can be such a P-poor way to get reliable information. Almost any basic/intermediate bonsai book will have competent descriptions of clip and grow.

 

[akhater]

But if you live in a place where Bonsai is synonym of Mallsai and no one knows terms like akadama,turface,nebari or shari then internet is the only way you have to learn

And that's why I rely so much on these forums

 

[JudyB]

There are some really great books out there, that you can learn from and will be valuable throughout your practice. Deborah Korsehoff's book, called (guess what) Bonsai, has so much step by step instruction for all levels of skills. I find it's my go to source much of the time. I do not have the Naka books, but I hear they are very good also.