How To Bonsai - Thread Graft Branch

In this video I demonstrate how to perform a thread graft on a trident maple branch. A thread graft is when a hole is drilled through the trunk of a tree and a small branch or whip is inserted through the hole and after time the two merge together. It is the perfect way to get a branch to grow precisely where you want it.

[@Spikeshome1]

Your such a caring,thoughtful teacher.It's very clear that you very much want others to know all there is to know so that we can be successfull in our humble attempts to be better.I for one am very appreciative of the time you take to share what God has given you.It's awesome.

[@MegaBdixon]

I recently found your videos and have found them to be an absolute must see for bonsai growers who are starting out like i am! I have been attemting to grow bonsai for a few years with limited success. Though ive found that collecting yamadori for myself provides a better idea of what the tree needs and what direction i want to go rather than buying nursery stock.

[@Tieball]

Great video. I thought you had to strip the bark off the whip for contact...sort of like an air layer would be. Great to know the whip can work without that disruption to the growth. Thanks for one of the clearest descriptions and videos on the subject. Mighty fine!

[@roehle9962]

Amazing. I love how you bring a little bit of biology into the topic, really good content. Keep it going!

[@ericsvideos1]

I love watching your videos! You’re soooo good in explaining and your trees are amazing!!!!! I think I have a mancrush going! Lol

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@Tieball I'm glad you found it helpful. I have at time cleared a 1/8" strip of the bark that is within the thread before to give it a little bit of headstart, but either way it just just fine.

[@buddhisampath9847]

thanks you so much for your all videos. thanks. from hakgala bbotanic gardens ,sri lanka

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Hey nice video. I really like what you did and good instructions as well. Keep it up!

[@robhann99]

Nice video. I look forward to updates in the future. Keep the videos coming!

[@sharkfin154]

wonderful trunk and good info

[@InvincibleRain]

That's a way i haven't seen to graft. Ironically i have a maple in the back that did it to itself growing through one of it's own branches. Good video

[@Mr420rush]

such a great video, thank you very much for posting

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@TheGreybelly I'm glad to hear that you are able to use this process. It really is quite fun as well as being a perfect way to put a branch just where you want it. Really high success rate as well. Have fun and thanks again

[@UstadZed]

wow... i had no idea that this was even possible.. its magic... super cool thanks for the info..

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Wow! Good eye. Yes that is the root over rock

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate that info and will try next time I do a graft Always learning :)

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Have fun and best of luck with your mulberry! I hope it all goes well for you

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Thanks fo rthat comment. I do find that the scarring is acceptable in return for getting the branch where you need it. Also the success rate is high, but like you said there are other methods that may work depending on your concerns. Thanks again

[@mark9858]

OrlandoBonsaiTV update?

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@robhann99 Thanks! I will try to keep the videos soming. I still have a ton of things to talk about. I'm glad you are enjoying them and I'll be sure to do som updates.

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Yes but with smaller branches they grow much faster and will graft quiker. It also gives teh tree branch a chance to grow strong to support the heaverir branches in the future if you start smaller

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Yes that should work. It just needs to be in the same family of trees. For example it is very common to graft white pine onto black pine.

[@cowpat52]

hi, thanks for the video. Can you thread graft coniferous as well as deciduous?

[@threatt1000]

Whips are also known as sucker plants, they are straight up and found at the bottom of mature trees, most grow from the ground with a root system already there. Nice job, I love your bonsai trees in the background do you sell them by chance or collect them?

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@MegaBdixon Collecting material is definitely the way to go. You get better movement and lots of large trunks that way!

[@raulbaron7]

well done

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@sharkfin154 Thanks! That tree is just plain huge, but it is still a work in progress. This branch will make all the difference. I really appreciate the comment.

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

I swear there are more videos coming soon. I'm just trying to get the editing caught up

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@itachifan275 Absolutely. I plan to do a follow up to the thread graft, air layer, and root over rock video. Probably about a month from now. Stay tuned :)

[@KennetDeBondt]

Nice video, and good technique that I've been using for years now. If I may: The biggest issue on this tree is in my opinion the angular cut in the trunk. This can be softened with powertools. Is there a reason why you do not do this? greetings from Belgium. Kennet

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

I agreen about the harsh bend in that tree and I am working on it slowly. What you don't see in the video is there are two big scars on both side of that bend so if I cut it now it will die because that is the only live part of that side. Once it heals I can carve it down. I appreciate the comment though!

[@lefthandluke8923]

Great video (among many others), but where are you, bro? Hopefully doing well. If so, we need some more videos!

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Thank you so much and I’m still doing well. My bonsai collection is doing well also. I just thought there were so many people doing bonsai videos that I thought I did my part. Maybe one day I’ll have a little more to say. Lol

[@lefthandluke8923]

​@@OrlandoBonsaiTV Dude - There's so much renewed interest in bonsai these days that I'm certain your knowledge will be well appreciated. Honestly, your information is above average in how helpful it is. As an aside... In the days of KZbinrs, you should realize that you have more than 30k subscribers. There's potential to earn a substantial amount of (well-deserved) income. Either way, all the best to you. I'm a big fan of the knowledge you share and very much appreciate it.

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@@lefthandluke8923 okay you got me thinking. Let me see if I can find that camera. Wouldn’t be a bad thing to maybe do an update at least. Thank you so much for the motivation

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@scant6681 I have never thread grafted an azaleas, but I think it would work. However Azaleas are a litte diiferent from other trees in that they have roots that directly feed specific branhces, and without a root dedicated to the new branch it may not support it. I'll look into it though. Good question

[@BonsaiBinhDinh]

Cây gì nhìn cổ thụ vậy bạn

[@derwinterry9829]

When are you going to do more videos? I would really like an update with this tree and your Raintrees.

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@prulhiere36 Thanks! I've never grafted those two types of trees but as long as you stay in the same species of tree it should be fine. Yo'll have to let me know how it turns out. Best of luck!

[@itachifan275]

when its grows out or fuses can you make a follow up video?

[@2112design]

i have a Malaysian banyan tree, its about 3" at the root line and tapers to about 2" at 12" high. i want to take the top off at 12" but don't have a good leader low down so was thinking about using this technique to make a new, well developed leader. do you think a 1/2" thread graft into a 2" trunk will work ok? can i go through the trunk at about a 45 degree angle? thanks, great video BTW, i love your stuff.

[@lihils]

Thank you so much for all your videos. One question I have is wouldn't it be better if you strip the bark of the whip to the cambium (like when you air layer) so both cambiums are in contact?

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

I do reminds be some but as the graft takes it pushes the bark out by itself

[@lihils]

+OrlandoBonsaiTV Thanks. .

[@pmm_doc]

Nice Trident!!!! I am looking at taking a large collected Silver maple and thread grafting all new limbs from Amur maple. Have you ever tried anything like this?

[@flassboy]

Hi is that the root over rock ficus from the other video just to the right (your right) of your head?

[@NeoAndersonn]

Great video, how is it today? have you another movie from 2013 of this tree?

[@Tieball]

Does the outside bark of the whip just dissolve in time in order to make that connection?

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

The tree absorbes some but pushes most of the bark out as it begins to seal. Kind of like a tree pimple I guess :)

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

@scant6681 Wow that's great! Very boring video but an amazing tree. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to give that a try one day

[@michaelpaul1716]

Any way to see a recent photo of this tree on your IG?

[@JuanMartinez-kf5mq]

Can somebody please tell me if you can do a thread graft and air layering to the same branch at the same time??? Thanksss

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

In theory it should work. It just depends on where the graft is in relation to the air layer. If you are grafting onto the section of the tree that will be removed by the air layer then it should work fine. However if you are grafting a branch from the part to be removed below the air layer it won't take.

[@DonC-lf1ru]

Paul: Is that possible to do a thread graft trident maple, on to a US Maple stock (Base tree). for example if I find a developed US maple tree, is that possible to thread graft trident maple on to it? Thanks

[@rommelrosales8318]

I did a thread graft on the same hole twice because the first graft died. The second graft seems to be not progressing as the exit diameter of the tree being grafted is not getting larger in diameter. Any advice you can give? I guess I have no choice but to wait but is it going to hold eventually over time?

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

It’s difficult to get the grafting branch to thicken in the middle of summer as the trees tend to slow down. It’s easiest at the beginning os spring when the tree put out the fastest growth. This attempt might not take. If not be sure to use a new hole so that you are working with new cambium because the current one might have dried out too much for the graft to take. Good luck and be patient. You’ll get it eventually

[@blockthisuser]

can u graft thiker branches, like 1-2inch?

[@madformonster]

i am new to bonsai is that maple a very old and devolped bonsai tree

[@hansthalhammer]

Theres an update of this tree at the end of his video "How To Bonsai - Tree Follow Up".

[@nicomarcel6342]

I would like to see that tree in 2020 now.

[@that_one_gull8374]

Dude! He got that baby tree from Adam Levine?!?

[@apostle333]

I just had another idea. What about a "leading sheath?" Maybe a knitting needle, to guide a membranous material through, lubricated well enough for the whip

[@apostle333]

I wonder: to protect the "leader buds" (sorry I've had a couple drinks, and I can't remember what they're actually

[@loviticuss]

how is this graft doing today is it still there i have a trident i think came from the same guy in near lakeland. forget his name right now but made a trip down with jimmy from elemental nursery so now i have this massive tree that is in need of a lower branch just a little weary on drilling the whole threw it to do this

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

I believe this tree is somewhere around 70 years old

[@JuanMartinez-kf5mq]

Yes thanks for the rapid respond now wait till spring 😠 how is Cosmo doing say hi for me lol

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

Cosmo always loves the attention. Thanks so much for your comments. He of course says hi

[@pablogc2008]

what is the best time to do this? en of summer is fine? Thanks!

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

After the last frost of the year and when temperatures start to warm up. Then as soon as spring starts to take off feed heavily to get the branch to thicken quickly

[@pablogc2008]

+OrlandoBonsaiTV thanks! I'll wait for the next spring then :)

[@leosurname6993]

How did this turn out?

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

The tree is groing out right now because I sold my house and it is at a friends nursery for a few more months. I should have an update later this year

[@coldsnap1174]

Hi there, Is there an update for this one?

[@NeoN-PeoN]

When that old tree had a living bud coming out, you mention that it didn't survive because it got no sun. Could you have used a UV lamp to support it's growth?

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

+Neon Peon I would think that could have helped it although its really not a viable option to have it out in the weather for that long.

[@NeoN-PeoN]

I know what you mean. A few posts, a tarp, and some ties could last a long time but if you ultimately had to leave it there for the life of the branch then...

[@koholohan3478]

I would love to see a follow up video.

[@OrlandoBonsaiTV]

+Kalista Hall you can always see updated images on my instgram at instagram.com/OrlandoBonsaiTV

[@koholohan3478]

+OrlandoBonsaiTV I didn't see this tree on your IG

[@riceman460]

Is this type of Bonesai what is considered a miniature?

[@XElCholo3]

sing once again with me.......dude look like gerard butler

[@scant6681]

Have you every tried a thread graft on satsuki azalea?

[@apostle333]

A small wrapping if raffia, or an actual condom?

[@scant6681]

@OrlandoBonsaiTV Search youtube with "Secret de satsuki azalee bonsai.avi ", it should be the first result.

[@shawnbrown6719]

Did this graft not work? You never posted a followup.

[@scant6681]

@OrlandoBonsaiTV I saw a video of a guy styling a specimen azalea and he did the thread graft actually had a few grafts...Look at this video .com/watch?v=ffGbrXb6VR4

[@apostle333]

Called. Couldn't they be protected the same way a condom works?