Bonsaify | Basics of Bonsai: Unwiring a Ficus Bonsai

This video is a follow-up to "Basics of Bonsai: Trimming and Wiring a Ficus Tree" • Bonsaify | Basics of B... . After completing the initial clean-up, wiring, and styling of a common ficus bonsai, hopefully it will start to grow again. What should you do next?
After a trim-back and wiring, keep an eye on whether or not the wire is cutting into the branches as they swell - this can impinge on the growth of the tree. Within a few weeks or months, you'll want to remove the wire.
1:02 There are two techniques for unwiring. 1. Unwind and 2. Cut.
Unwind: Eric shows an example of small wire used to set two branches on a lower portion of the tree. He unwinds to the anchor point on one branch, and then unwinds the other branch. The advantage of this technique is that you don't have to fear leaving any wire on.
Cut: This technique works well with larger, thicker wire. Eric uses plier-style bonsai wire cutters and emphasizes that you don't want to use the type of pliers used for electrical purposes. Cut and remove each coil at intervals so the wire just falls off.
4:10 Eric uses both techniques to complete the unwiring process for this ficus bonsai.
5:00 Eric explains why he used two different sets of wire cutters, including a scissors-style cutter.
5:44 Why does Eric decide to not trim the tree today?
7:30 Find out the crazy idea Eric has for this tree in the future!
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[@bulebonsaibatam1758]

Good Morning from Indonesia. Major trunk chop coming up😂😂😂. As usual very straight forward and informative information. Max

[@horanbenjamin]

Mate you’re videos have been awesome please keep them coming if you have a small broom style maple I would love a video on it or any branch placement video of a broom style. Also this is the first video on KZbin I have seen on wire removal and I thank you 🙏 bonsai love from Australia brother

[@Kalana_Herath]

Hi sir, thank you for making this amazing video. ficus are one of my favourite plant here in tropics.they are very fast growers and easy to work with.I learned a lot from your video.

[@Bonsaify]

Thank you!

[@LetsDoBonsai]

Another great and informative video - keep them coming!!

[@Bonsaify]

Thanks!

[@zackau9807]

For a small wire cutter you can also find a flush stile electrical/construction small size cutter, that is the better/stronger version,than the weaker jewelry version I originally started with.

[@Dulur-Bonsai]

Hi sir, thank you for making this amazing video

[@carloseduardoramosmidence3470]

Agree with the nearby future on the chop...I do not like the S form also. Will you air layer it? Could the upper part grow by itself...here in Honduras they grow vey easily. Thanks for the videos.

[@sahabshraddha8453]

Nice ❤️🌻🌻

[@tangledtanuki]

Nice little ficus. With it growing so fast so you find you have to check regularly?

[@user-fb3pu3qx3t]

I’m fearing for this ficus!

[@Bonsaify]

🤷‍♂️

[@user-fb3pu3qx3t]

@@Bonsaify Sounds like it might be in for a big chop!

[@Duybonsai19881]

❤❤❤👍👍👍

[@mnt2391]

Hey there I’m a Super Noob to these little trees 😃so there is no actual time limit to keep the wiring on? You just have to keep looking and checking the wire to see if it indent’s into the limbs?

[@Bonsaify]

That's right, you want to keep it from scarring the branch, but you also want the branch to set. So take it off or loosen it if it gets tight. But some wire stays on for years.

[@brucedeacon28]

👍

[@kellyping9450]

PLEASE HELP WHAT KIND OF WIRE DO U USE

[@Bonsaify]

Typically aluminum. www.bonsaify.com/collections/bonsai-tools/products/aluminum-bonsai-growers-wire-400g-rolls

[@emy1111]

for fun times, make it mame times.

[@Bonsaify]

Yes!

[@EFIGHTER77]

Когда у растения такие крупные листья, лично для меня, это не бонсай!

[@Bonsaify]

If this is an accurate translation of what you said: "When a plant has such large leaves, for me personally, this is not a bonsai!" Then I would say - to each their own opinion. Leaf size is one among many important aspects of a good bonsai species - among others are tolerance of work and how cooperative they are to various aspects of bonsai care. Ficus in the US are generally grown more by beginners. However in Taiwan and other places they are magnificent bonsai trees. (normally quite a bit larger than this though.)