To increase refinement on bonsai that have their basic trunk and branch structure established, a technique called 'pinching out' can be used. With this technique, new growth within the vigorous areas of the tree is either partially or completely removed before it extends. After pinching out the apical growth, vigor is displaced more evenly amongst the branches of the tree. This technique encourages growth nearer the trunk and towards the lower branches.
Pinching is a natural process, as no plant can support all the foliage it produces. A plant either sheds completely, as deciduous trees do, or sheds the older, inner foliage it produced several years before, as conifers do. By pinching new growth, you nourish older growth, ensure new bud formation, and avoid ending up with branches that are bare except for green tips.
Pinch new growth as soon as it appears. Do not let it grow and become woody. Deciduous and leafy material should be pinched after two to four new leaves have opened. Always leave some leaves and nodes on each branch. Coniferous new growth pushes out in clusters of needles. Pinch as the clusters start to open. Grasp a cluster with one hand, and pinch about half of it with your fingertips, using a grasp, twist and pull action. If a branch needs to be longer, do not pinch it until the desired length has developed.
Pinching should be ongoing, as new growth will continue to appear as long as the plant lives. Pinching all these growing tips nourishes dormant buds, causing them to start growing. Later, pinch those, and the cycle continues. The development of twigs, twig lets, and lots of side growth results in a fine bonsai.
Bud-pinching out is an important technique for keeping your established bonsai in shape. Spring growth is especially vigorous particularly around the apical areas of a tree. Apical buds that are allowed to extend uninterrupted tend to have long inter-nodes and deprive other areas of the tree of energy. By removing them, energy is not wasted on unnecessary growth that would otherwise need to be removed in the coming weeks. It also displaces energy towards the inner and lower branches and encourages back-budding
Pruning and pinching go hand in hand for the health and beauty of the tree. Pruning is done with scissors and pruners; pinching is done with the fingers.
By pinching and pruning you control the growth cycle and hence the growth of your bonsai. Once you decide on the height and width of your tree, keep growth and development within your design. Do not allow the tree to grow out of the design.
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| Bonsai Pinching |
When Should Pinching Bonsai
Pinching is a natural process, as no plant can support all the foliage it produces. A plant either sheds completely, as deciduous trees do, or sheds the older, inner foliage it produced several years before, as conifers do. By pinching new growth, you nourish older growth, ensure new bud formation, and avoid ending up with branches that are bare except for green tips.
Pinch new growth as soon as it appears. Do not let it grow and become woody. Deciduous and leafy material should be pinched after two to four new leaves have opened. Always leave some leaves and nodes on each branch. Coniferous new growth pushes out in clusters of needles. Pinch as the clusters start to open. Grasp a cluster with one hand, and pinch about half of it with your fingertips, using a grasp, twist and pull action. If a branch needs to be longer, do not pinch it until the desired length has developed.
Pinching should be ongoing, as new growth will continue to appear as long as the plant lives. Pinching all these growing tips nourishes dormant buds, causing them to start growing. Later, pinch those, and the cycle continues. The development of twigs, twig lets, and lots of side growth results in a fine bonsai.
Why Should Pinching Your Bonsai
Bud-pinching out is an important technique for keeping your established bonsai in shape. Spring growth is especially vigorous particularly around the apical areas of a tree. Apical buds that are allowed to extend uninterrupted tend to have long inter-nodes and deprive other areas of the tree of energy. By removing them, energy is not wasted on unnecessary growth that would otherwise need to be removed in the coming weeks. It also displaces energy towards the inner and lower branches and encourages back-budding
Pruning and pinching go hand in hand for the health and beauty of the tree. Pruning is done with scissors and pruners; pinching is done with the fingers.
By pinching and pruning you control the growth cycle and hence the growth of your bonsai. Once you decide on the height and width of your tree, keep growth and development within your design. Do not allow the tree to grow out of the design.
It's great articles about bonsai... i'm starting to learn to make my first bonsai... thank for share
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