January 2019
I’ve had Barbara for nearly a year now and it’s time for some change!
This little tree has had its ups and downs…. losing all its leaves on more than one occasion, and even being laughed at… well, sort of!
I have regularly removed ‘dead’ wood to promote growth in the past, but now I want to remove the lower branches to alter the shape and form, and to hopefully promote further growth as well.
I normally use a little pair of scissors for minor change but have now opted for some unused, Japanese secateurs (Niwaki) which I got as a free gift with the last Gardener’s World subscription! I’ve had them ages but now they have a purpose. Hurrah!
Which branches though? The lowest two, I think, which are sparse in both leaf and character (know the feeling!).
Ok, clean blades, and snippy snippy job done!
Tidy up other bits of non-growing wood and …. ta da!
IMHO Barbara looks much better.
I shall take her with me to my next Bonsai class at the John Hanby Bonsai School, at the end of January. And if anyone laughs at or diminishes Barbara in any way…. they will be introduced to alternative uses for their pruning tools!
Niwaki Okatsune secateurs
Some small scissors I found!
And that’s about all I have to say about that, for now.
Thank you for listening.
You must be logged in to post a comment.