How to Tie the Roots When Making a Bonsai Tree

Bonsai is an ancient Asian art form that has gradually worked its way to the West. Part of the bonsai's mystique is the ability to keep the trees small, yet sculpt them to look large, weathered and old. Some bonsai specimens have survived hundreds of years while being tended by generations of bonsai artists. The secret to caring for a bonsai tree is limiting the growth of the roots. Since the roots stay very small, the tree becomes top-heavy. Because of this, the root structure often has to be tied into the container to prevent the bonsai from ripping itself out of the soil.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bonsai tree
• Pot
• Soil
• Copper wire
• Wire cutters
• Chopstick
• Drill
• Ceramic drill bit
• Fungicide

1. Prepare your pot by drilling four holes in the bottom. The holes should be spaced evenly and should be large enough to pass your copper wire through.

2. Cut your wire in four pieces longer than you think you will need. The length will depend on the size of the root ball and the pot. You can cut off the extra material when you have finished wiring your plant.

3. Run two copper wires through the two sets of holes that you have drilled.

4. Cover the bottom of your pot to about 1/3 of the pot's depth with bonsai soil.

5. Push the wires through the root ball of your tree and lower the tree into place. Be gentle with the root ball.

6. Twist the two sets of wires together so that they hold the roots firmly in place, then snip off the extra wire. Position the copper so it will not be visible when the soil is placed over the roots.

7. Deposit soil over the roots, but do not fill to the top of the pot. Use a chopstick to work the soil into crevices around the roots and eliminate air pockets in the root ball.

8. Water the tree with a fungicide added to the water. Allow the tree recover in a sheltered location for a few days.

References

• Creating a Tanuki Bonsai
• The Bonsai Primer
• Bonsai Tools

Resources

• Bonsai Gardener