How to Phoenix Graft Bonsai to Driftwood
Phoenix grafting is a method of creating a bonsai tree most common in the West. In this bonsai method, a young plant is trained to grow along a piece of driftwood to create the effect of an aged bonsai -- without waiting for the plant to actually age. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Driftwood
- Plant sapling
- Bonsai container
- Plant tape
- Small brass screws
- Saw
- Bonsai potting soil
- Drill
- Grafting wax
- Thin copper wire
- 4 eyelets
- Plastic bag
- Knife or dremel tool
Instructions
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1
Select a piece of driftwood and a plant seedling. The wood may come from any source, but ensure it's dry and not rotting. The driftwood and young plant will work best if they're the same species, and similarly shaped.
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2
Determine what angle you'd like the driftwood. Saw the base of the driftwood so that the bottom rests in the pot at the preferred angle.
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3
Drill four holes in the pot and screw four eyelets in corresponding areas of the driftwood, relative to where you want it to lie in the pot.
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4
Determine how your young plant should rest against the driftwood. Cut off all branches of the plant along the area that will eventually come into contact with the driftwood, according to the design you prefer.
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5
Remove the plant from its current pot, rinse off the roots thoroughly and place the root ball in a plastic bag to prevent moisture loss before it's repotted.
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6
Lay your plant alongside the driftwood. In all places where the two will be meeting, shave off the bark of the plant and create a groove in the driftwood at least half the size of the plant. If your bonsai is relatively small, this can easily be done with a knife. If you are trying to make a larger phoenix bonsai, a dremel tool may be necessary to create substantial grooves.
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Insert bronze screws into the pairing, screwing into the plant and then the driftwood. Use as few screws as possible to sufficiently pair the driftwood and plant snugly together. If there are any gaps remaining between the two after screwing them together, rub grafting wax along the outside to fill leftover holes. Wrap all areas where the two are touching with plant tape.
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8
Cut two 1- to 2-foot lengths of copper wire. Loop one wire through an eyelet in the driftwood, then through the hole in the bonsai pot, then back up the opposite hole and secure tightly onto the corresponding eyelet. This is for balance, as your bonsai will likely be top heavy. Repeat with the other copper wire and the other two eyelets.
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9
Remove the plastic bag from the plant -- and pot the bonsai plant using standard bonsai potting methods.
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Tips & Warnings
After one year, the plant's tape and screws can be removed; however, screws don't have to be removed, as they will be covered up with bark within two years.
Junipers are by far the most common phoenix graft bonsai, as it is generally easier to find juniper driftwood than other varieties.
Nails can be used instead of screws to hold the plant and driftwood together.
The pairing should be properly grown together within three years.
Be careful not to split wood when screwing the pairing together.
Ensure copper wiring is extremely tight -- so the bonsai is adequately held in place.
It's important to ensure the driftwood is dry and has no signs of rot before using.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
