Nina writes:

With a stalk of celery, high turgor will lead to a "snap", whereas
wilted celery will bend. True. But the snappiness of a woody branch
depends on the *wood*, which is dead and not responding to any change
in water content of the soil. If you think about the anatomy of a
woody tree branch, the only tissue that is going to react to changes
in water content is the inner bark. I might worry about snapping
turgid little twigs, but I'm not going to worry *at all* about larger
branches.

Nina:

The logic works for me, but experience tells me otherwise. I have bent some extremely old branches with tight growth rings. The trees that were allowed to dry out before the stylings were significantly easier to bend. I attribute this to the amazing strength of the water swollen inner bark.

Is it my imagination? );-)

Regardless,

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[IBC] Wiring...how damp is my soil?
 

Nina writes:

With a stalk of celery, high turgor will lead to a "snap", whereas
wilted celery will bend. True. But the snappiness of a woody branch
depends on the *wood*, which is dead and not responding to any change
in water content of the soil. If you think about the anatomy of a
woody tree branch, the only tissue that is going to react to changes
in water content is the inner bark. I might worry about snapping
turgid little twigs, but I'm not going to worry *at all* about larger
branches.

Nina:

The logic works for me, but experience tells me otherwise. I have bent some extremely old branches with tight growth rings. The trees that were allowed to dry out before the stylings were significantly easier to bend. I attribute this to the amazing strength of the water swollen inner bark.

Is it my imagination? );-)

Regardless,

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

As you all know, I am an apprentice at Bonsai, but about two weeks ago I was talking with Mr. Shinishi Nakajima and by chance we talked about wiring and he told me that -in the specific case of azaleas- it would be better if you "dry" the tree for about a week BEFORE you wire them, as the branches are very strong and this procedure will ease it.



BTW, he also told me to wire the Acer Mamiji while it still has the leaves on.



For what it worth,

Roberto




Nina:

The logic works for me, but experience tells me otherwise. I have bent some extremely old branches with tight growth rings. The trees that were allowed to dry out before the stylings were significantly easier to bend. I attribute this to the amazing strength of the water swollen inner bark.

Is it my imagination? );-)

Regardless,



************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

As you all know, I am an apprentice at Bonsai, but about two weeks ago I was talking with Mr. Shinishi Nakajima and by chance we talked about wiring and he told me that -in the specific case of azaleas- it would be better if you "dry" the tree for about a week BEFORE you wire them, as the branches are very strong and this procedure will ease it.



BTW, he also told me to wire the Acer Mamiji while it still has the leaves on.



For what it worth,

Roberto




Nina:

The logic works for me, but experience tells me otherwise. I have bent some extremely old branches with tight growth rings. The trees that were allowed to dry out before the stylings were significantly easier to bend. I attribute this to the amazing strength of the water swollen inner bark.

Is it my imagination? );-)

Regardless,



************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++