How to Bend Branches on a Bonsai Tree : Aggressive vs Conservative

[@williamwoody7607]

There are so many really good bonsai channels but for basic approachable insight I think you really can’t beat this guy. I only just found him but he’s already my favorite teacher.

[@FrediOlson]

At first I thought you should chop the top, but then after seeing what you did with it I love how it turned out. Can't wait to see its progress. Thank you for sharing.

[@Stettafire]

Yes that was my thought too. I was thinking it was good air layering material.

[@leneecasteel2005]

Hi Jason!! I am just starting to explore making Bonsai for myself. I really like your videos, in fact, I wish you made more!!! You explain the ideas behind and the mechanics of what you're showcasing so well. Simple and easy to follow instructions, plus the reasons for what you are doing are so helpful in my journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you! God bless and have a great weekend!

[@Floydsdad101]

Thanks for posting another Blue Atlas Cedar video, I have a similar sized starter tree and can’t work out what to do with it. Your video has been a great help. Keep the Blue Atlas videos coming!! All the best from here in the UK

[@Michael-kf6bc]

Thank you for sharing your expertise as always. I really like the way this tree turned out. I think bending the top and incorporating it with the design definitely adds unique characteristics to the tree as a whole. I’m looking forward to seeing this tree again in about 5 years or so.

[@dermo1981]

Great to see another video from you Jason. Keep em coming please!

[@mitchfennell2916]

Quite a transformation! I admire your ability to see what the tree will look like in the future.

[@jimmyrasnake6704]

as always i enjoy the insights that you add to your videos. I have learned so much by watching your work.

[@carloseduardoramosmidence3470]

Great video. Through time I am appreciating trees that are not that formal. I think in time this tree will look great. Thanks Jason, really like your videos.

[@dshevack1]

Fantastic job and the tree will be amazing in a few years. Great movement.

[@drlighthse65]

Hi Jason, I really love your content. I love what you did with this cedar. I would never of thought to have brought it back down. Looks fabulous to me. Keep up the great content.

[@mercamg9312]

Great work. love the final job as against lopping off the top!🌱

[@roseannemoresco7136]

Hi Jason - So great to re-connect with you again with this video. We stopped (and purchased quite a bit!) at your store when we lived in Temecula. Now living in Texas and hoping to purchase a blue atlas so the timing of seeing your great video was perfect. Memories came back of the terrible theft of your bonsai tree. Followed and prayed for your attempts to find it but then lost track. Was it ever recovered? You and your blue atlas look Great!!

[@aGood250]

This is such a good species for bonsai. They have tight clusters of needles. The bark looks quite dark after watering. Super aesthetic. Great for cascade too

[@evfast]

So excited when I saw the tree thinking cool it's going to be a literati. And there it is. Really glad you did the hard bend. If you had cut it that would have been fine. But going for it gives the opportunity to see, and learn, what you can do pushing the style to its limit.

[@HoundStuff]

Pretty wild, I like it! Will be neat to see where it goes from here.

[@nerinat8371]

What a transformation wow, fantastic work

[@Kurtlane]

Thank you Jason. I am learning a lot from you. I recently saw a bonsai with very nice big taper at the bottom of the trunk. I thought about how this was achieved, and then realized that some branches at the bottom were left and allowed to grow to create that extra taper, and then, when it was created, were cut off. Just a suggestion.

[@thomasmajarov3286]

Looks great, definitely keep the bend for now.

[@ChrisKidder]

Love the video. How long do I leave the wire and wrap on the tree?

[@andrewsalhany5665]

Not sure about keeping the top but you never know and can always remove later, great video!

[@3apa3a4eva]

Hi Jason! Great excercise, thanks! I've got a stupid newbie question... When one uses wire without rafia, it is quite easy to see when it's time to remove it, as it just about to start "biting" into the outer bark. With rafia - when do you decide when the wire is ready to come off? Is it as easy to see? Or do you just unwire a bit and check if the branch has set? I'm going to use rafia later this year on my garden juniper where I will have to split a side branch to reposition it. So far, I've never used it. Thanks!

[@_iakvb771]

You see several Japanese Red Pines styled this way at Kofufu, with the looped trunk at the top and branches down below. This cedar will almost certainly be very interesting in a few years.

[@BruceBarnes-d1o]

i was thinking bending the trunk half way up back to the left and making the apex half way between the original top and bend

[@vchurchill2006]

how long will you leave the raffia and wire on?

[@kaneda4102]

I find it really interesting when the original apex becomes a side branch and the new apex takes off giving taper. You have to imagine many, many years ahead for the development.

[@chrisgalindo6083]

Hi Jason, how long should the 7mm wire and raffatta remain on it before the wire removal? Chris

[@Pendles94]

When and how long will you pull the wire and raffia off the tree?

[@onizukateacher7992]

I take raphia off 2weeks later

[@jcbizthekey]

As for wire, once it starts to bite in you want to remove it for sure Otherwise you'll get wire marks that will take a while to disappear

[@easternleaf]

Once the branch sets, a few months, we can remove.

[@shirayasha]

Are you guys going to stock more Blue Atlas Cedar's on the store?

[@easternleaf]

Yes. The trained ones are still in production. Should be up in the spring.

[@kendoan9668]

Hi Jason I’m just start learn about bonsai watched all your video and it’s really helpful. Btw I would like to ask you about cypress tree. A lot of ppl said it’s hard to make to bonsai is that right.?

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

Really different. Thanks.

[@ronniebruce]

Would love to buy some stock like this but I don't see any in the store 😃

[@gromageindustries6745]

Spot on. That's the best decision for my money 👍

[@waterlover]

What was the type of tree again?

[@andrewd5148]

Really cool video, but why don't you wet the raffia before applying it?

[@easternleaf]

Yes, the Raffia was wet when applied to the tree.

[@dsicloltotn]

Jason, I’m in Phoenix,Az. How do I purchase a few of these from your nursery? We cannot find these in the valley.

[@easternleaf]

We have them available at our new nursery which is now open by appointment.

[@dsicloltotn]

Appreciate the reply! Can’t wait to see the next project.

[@tonimagery]

How long do you keep the raffia on?

[@easternleaf]

You can remove once the branch sets. Usually a few months.

[@smack09]

Love it!

[@SachinKumar-ls2zr]

Drastic bend at top it wouldn't break?

[@edmilkovitz297]

Does it help if the Raphia is wet when applied ? I’ve seen people do it both ways.

[@easternleaf]

I’ve found that having it wet makes it easier to apply and strengthens the raffia from breaking when stretching it.

[@edmilkovitz297]

Thanks for the information

[@thomaskauffman983]

!I thought you pit raffia on wet?

[@Yurup]

I do like the fact that you kept the top, I don't think hiding it behind the trunk is a good idea. It creates a tangent there.

[@vickikay54]

Totally agree 🙂

[@karlseto5938]

next proggress please

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂