My year around bonsai work in the Inland Empire, CA

[0soyoung]

I prepared the pot for Brazilian rain tree this afternoon. As you can see, I use the twine to keep the tree in place.

Cummon @bonhe, out with your rationale for using twine that will quickly rot.
This isn't going to be a metal-poisoning story, is it?

 

[JudyB]

I'm interested too why twine. That rain tree is killer.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Because my koi pond has an overflow drain, the heavy rain can pour down into the pond without any problem!

My pond also has an overflow drain but sometimes if the winds are very strong, tree branches and leaves fall into the pond and clog it It has only happened one time, but I worry about it all the time

 

[bonhe]

Thank you for paying attention to twine!
Here is my rational explanation!
1- As you all know, twine is made of vegetable fiber extracted from jute. Its biodegradation is depended on temperature, moisture, light, and air. It is naturally degraded by bacteria and fungi. When jute twine is placed in intimate contact with moist soil, it degrades rapidly and completely within 2-3 months. I consider the quick biodegradation of jute twine as an advantage in case of new transplanted tree secureness.
If we use aluminum wire to secure the tree, we tend to leave it there until the next transplant. With the time, the wire can choke the surface root to where the wire is. To avoid this, we need to remember cutting the wire off when time comes.
Most of the new transplanted trees will have their root systems growing very well in a few months. It is reason why I used the twine for secureness of new transplanted tree. By the time the twine completely degraded, the tree is well established!
2- The twine has high tensile strength and low extensibility and those features can reduce some problems which can be seen in aluminum wire usage.
3- The twine is much cheaper than aluminum and better for environment.

I have few examples:
This tamarix was transplanted o 11/13/16. Its twine is still holding strongly.


This California juniper was transplanted on 1/1/17


Another California juniper was transplanted on 12/26/16. The twine is still very strong. The tree was not touched by the gusty wind 2 days ago!


I have been using this twine.


p/s: whoever in doubt, needs to try this material and see. If you don't try, you will never know!

Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

My pond also has an overflow drain but sometimes if the winds are very strong, tree branches and leaves fall into the pond and clog it It has only happened one time, but I worry about it all the time

Don't worry too much my friend!
Bonhe

 

[aml1014]

Thank you for paying attention to twine!
Here is my rational explanation!
1- As you all know, twine is made of vegetable fiber extracted from jute. Its biodegradation is depended on temperature, moisture, light, and air. It is naturally degraded by bacteria and fungi. When jute twine is placed in intimate contact with moist soil, it degrades rapidly and completely within 2-3 months. I consider the quick biodegradation of jute twine as an advantage in case of new transplanted tree secureness.
If we use aluminum wire to secure the tree, we tend to leave it there until the next transplant. With the time, the wire can choke the surface root to where the wire is. To avoid this, we need to remember cutting the wire off when time comes.
Most of the new transplanted trees will have their root systems growing very well in a few months. It is reason why I used the twine for secureness of new transplanted tree. By the time the twine completely degraded, the tree is well established!
2- The twine has high tensile strength and low extensibility and those features can reduce some problems which can be seen in aluminum wire usage.
3- The twine is much cheaper than aluminum and better for environment.

I have few examples:
This tamarix was transplanted o 11/13/16. Its twine is still holding strongly.
View attachment 132868

This California juniper was transplanted on 1/1/17
View attachment 132869 View attachment 132870

Another California juniper was transplanted on 12/26/16. The twine is still very strong. The tree was not touched by the gusty wind 2 days ago!
View attachment 132871 View attachment 132872

I have been using this twine.
View attachment 132873

p/s: whoever in doubt, needs to try this material and see. If you don't try, you will never know!

Bonhe

Heck I'll give it a whirl!

Aaron

 

[bonhe]

Heck I'll give it a whirl!

Aaron

hahaha !
While preparing for transplant, I found Japanese maple starts waking up!


I decide to use this pot for Brazilian rain tree. I use 2 twine pieces A and B.


I made knots in the ends of B. The knots help me to know it is B!


The Brazilian rain tree.
Before pruning


After pruning


The lower trunk


Bonhe

 

[aml1014]

hahaha !
While preparing for transplant, I found Japanese maple starts waking up!

I was literally wondering this morning just when the first picture of new Japanese maple leaves would pop up on the forum. Coincidence? Lol
I'll be seeing my first maple leaves within a week or so on this little guy, just repotted yesterday.

Aaron

 

[bonhe]

I was literally wondering this morning just when the first picture of new Japanese maple leaves would pop up on the forum. Coincidence? Lol

Aaron

The sixth sense!
Bonhe

 

[JudyB]

That BRT is one big puppy. Where are the pics of it potted???

 

[bonhe]

That BRT is one big puppy. Where are the pics of it potted???

Because I got distracted this morning, so I did not transplant it!
Just finished it 2 hours ago!
It has a lot of fiber rootages.


The soil is pumice: mini pine bark: fir ground with 2:1:1 ratio.
Twine A and B were tied together ---> AB1 and AB2 knots.
Then AB1 were tied to AB2, created another 2 knots: AB1-AB2' and AB1-AB2".
The tree is well secured in the pot!


Front.


Left


Back


It is placed into the "recovery room"


Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

This Chinese quince was dug by Si Nguyen at House of Bonsai in 2/2009. I put it right into the current pot at that time. It has been growing very well, but I did not see any flower yet!
I did not pay attention much on it besides pruning, fertilizing and watering. I have to bring it out this year.

Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

Hi Aml1014, as soon as I posted # 412, I recognized its pot is almost as same as your pot in # 408!!! Coincidence again!
Bonhe

 

[JudyB]

I'm able to keep my BRT in a very shallow pot, I'm wondering why you have yours mounded in that deeper pot? Really nice full canopy!

 

[sorce]

The twine is much cheaper than aluminum and better for environment.

Love it!

Sorce

 

[bonhe]

I'm able to keep my BRT in a very shallow pot, I'm wondering why you have yours mounded in that deeper pot? Really nice full canopy!

Some reasons:
1- Because it still had a lot of leaves, I didn't want to remove the roots too much.
2- I wanted to have more room for the root development later on. This tree is still needed a lot of work to refine its branches.
3- I may use a shallower pot in the future, but will be risky in the hot, dry area as mine.
Bonhe

 

[JudyB]

Of course, I always forget about #3... my climate is so so different from yours.

 

[bonhe]

This giant pomegranate cutting is ready showing the life in the end of the winter.


Another big pomegranate cutting also has life back.



I still keeps them in the plastic bags few more weeks. They will be my big project in the next few years. I can not wait!
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

I sprayed lime sulfur solution few weeks ago and neem oil solution this morning. I am ready for new growing season!
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

I like to watch tamarix when it just has new leaves coming out.


Let see if it can give me flowers this year.

Another one.


It has a few suckers at the trunk base


I have 2 questions:
1- Should I remove them?
2- When do I remove them?
p/s: Those are tricky questions, aren't they?
Bonhe