If you love growing plants and want something a little different then the bonsai tree is one of the most interesting choices available.
These little trees are incredibly unique and beautiful but they do take some specialist care and knowledge to keep.
That does not necessarily mean that as a beginner, you cannot take on the challenge of growing a bonsai, it just means you will have to learn some methods to ensure that your bonsai survives and thrives.
One of the biggest challenges the bonsai gardener faces is often with the thickness or strength of the branches.
This leads to a range of problems and so it is very important to try to thicken them as much as possible.
In this guide: we will share a few ways to help you thicken your bonsai branch and have the amazing, low maintenance tree you wish for.
Why Do I Need To Thicken Bonsai Branches?
You may ask yourself, why is it so important to have sufficient thickness when tending a bonsai ?
Of course, many people like the look of full branches because it implies a much healthier tree.
Having branches thick is a good indicator of the age and strength of the tree, making it look much more ”natural”.
Keep in mind that:
- Bonsais are manmade small but not everything in the world should be small.
- A heavier trunk will make the tree look much more like the real geographies its tree size cousin would be found in, However aesthetics is not the key reason for this process.
- It is important to prune your bonsai in order to keep the shape but narrow branches make weak, and that would make prunning even more of a challenge.
Additionally, having a consistent pruning routine will also promote the branches to become thicker so this process is beneficial on every level.
If you want a healthy bonsai tree with stronger qualities then obviously thicker branches will give you this.
These strong branches will create a more powerful and hardy tree that will endure for many years.
Of course, this also relies on you providing other types of care like water and fertilization.
Methods For Thickening Bonsai Branches
You have a few options regarding how to thicken up bonsai branches.
This can be a lengthy endeavor, and some methods will take a while to produce results, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Sacrificial Branches
Arguably, the easiest way to thicken the tree overall, is to develop a sacrificial branch.
However, it is the slowest to produce results, and sometimes can take years.
But then again, considering that a bonsai can last up to a century with proper care, you are still only talking of a drop in the ocean.
The point is to grow one branch, and do not prune this branch for a few years.
Once the sacrificial branch has developed enough thickness, you will then prune it; this is why we call it a sacrificial branch!
The reason this is such a great method is that it blocks the points that are connected to the base where the branch develops.
As a result of this blockage, the nutrients that flow from the base, are permitted to flow back into the sacrificial branch, and it sustains this development more, inching closer to thickening the tree.
In theory, you could grow your sacrificial branch anywhere on the tree. However, you will get the best results from the top.
The reason it should be from the top, is if your sacrificial branch is developed lower down, it is going to take all of the nutrients and cause anything above it to not get sufficient nutrients to develop.
As we noted: it usually is a lengthy process, you may expect a result over the course of a few years, depending on the species and conditions.
Start By Growing The Bonsai In The Ground
A bonsai is just a smaller version of a tree so it will naturally flourish and do well in the ground.
It is only due to our experience using pots to grow bonsai that we see them address the tree in this manner. The idea of having the bonsai in a container is the very act of which will keep it stunted.
If you planted the same tree in the ground, it would achieve its maximum size.
If you want your bonsai tree branches to be thick and robust then:
- Starting off in the ground is a good decision for now, as it will be getting all the best nutrients.
- It’s critical to keep the time frame within limits while the tree is in the ground, or you may get past the point where you can call it a bonsai.
So, keep an eye on the tree and once the branches have reached a suitable thickness, it’s time to transfer it into a container.
It can take longer to see the results when growing out of a container but this will depend on the type of tree you choose.
The species that will grow fastest are things like ficus and Chinese elm.
Scarring
Although it’s important to make the branches thicker as well, the trunk must also be equally rigid.
The scarring method will help the trunk get thicker as well as the branches.
This method is so easily attainable and is great for training purposes for those new to taking care of bonsai.
To cause a scar, you need to injure that part of the branch:
- You can accomplish this simply by scraping away a bit of that.
- As the scar starts to heal a swollen callus will develop around the lesion area, and when this happens multiple times it will lead to increased branch size.
This is another strategy that requires some time, so be patient and generally plan to see results in two to five years.
Key Point: it is a slow process. In some instances, depending upon the species, expect it to maybe take up to ten years.
Conclusion
Cultivating bonsai trees can be extremely gratifying, however, there are challenges that you will face.
If you are just starting out, it can be difficult to grasp all of the fundamentals and how to thicken your branches to grow a strong, resilient, and healthy tree.
