Bonsaify | Wiring Juniper Cuttings to Make Mame Bonsai

Learn how to take a rooted juniper whip and wire it as the first step in creating a tiny mame bonsai.

00:00:41 The cutting was taken 4 months ago from a strong ground-grown parent Kishu Juniper tree. It was on a heat mat, and is a relatively strong shoot that already has good root growth.

00:01:16 Easiest time to wire is when you're transferring from a common flat, when there is nothing inside the soil. Eric is using aluminum wire as its brightness is easy to see on young trees. He wires in a 45 degree spiral, and will use the wire to put some movement into the shoot.

00:02:19 Eric wants to start by putting movement down as low as the first root. Dealing with small compositions means there is no space to waste! Eric wants to both add movement and a twist, to create a really interesting shape as the plant matures.

00:02:45 First and second bends, creating a 90 degree angle, to create the leverage he needs to twist and kink. The closer you can get the twists to the base, the smaller the mame that you can make. Continue making an interesting line as you go upward, even though you may end up making a jin of it later, it will still create a more interesting jin.

00:03:45 Eric will now put the wired juniper cutting into a container. He won't anchor it, but let the roots dangle and pot it with perlite and peat moss (coco coir is another option). Bury the root base to give it a bit more stability.

00:04:51 Leave the wired shoot into the container for another 1-2 years.

Are you interested in creating mame bonsai? Let us know in the comments below! Please like and share this video, and subscribe to our channel!

Music by Bensound.com