Mike Lane—Clip & Grow
GSBF Zoom, 1/22/2024:
Mike discussed Clip and Grow theory and application: focusing on proportion and wound closure. Contrary to popular belief, clip and grow refers to the growing theory of allowing trunks and branches to attain desired diameter before being cut and has little to do with whether wire is used or not.
Looking at some of his progressions, clip & grow can develop more quickly—in just a few years.
Grow & develop faster than merely wiring and growing.
Prefers tropical, or fast growing deciduous. Can be pines, but most conifers slower growth.
Plant in large pots or in the ground, but shohin or mame is fine in a 1 gallon pot. If yu want large bonsai then grow in the ground.
Soil for development is best fast draining but no akadama. Lava, pine bark. Quick wet-dry cycles. If always wet, there is no stimulation for growth. If periodically dry, then roots will grow to seek moisture.
Water & fertilize during development. High nitrogen during development, until tertiary branch development—then slow down and put in akadama.
Greater refinement requires finer and finer (sifted) akadama.
Important to trunk chop to stimulate buds and branches or after an opposing pair is selected. Chop above them and trim back after they are more established. Follow up later carving in between to create a crotch. [confirm]
Hide big cuts near the rear. Select opposing pairs of branches—and if only one you may need to cut and grow but the wound would heal more slowly, and cut after the next pair develops.
Healing is most important—cut paste—but do not make the next chop until the first wound is fully healed. Best if 2 opposing branches grow thicker and meet to close the wound. May be 50:50 or 75:25. Let it heal.
Repeat, but select the next branching to be a back branch etc.
Everything grows the same above & below the cut—and the bottom always grows wider.
Always refine ramification horizontally on a branch—as well as any upward ramification to develop a pad.
Side note from “JT” Thompson (SBBK):
“…the method did not caution that trees keep growing even after refined—and each internode section of cut will fatten and blend with the next cut & grow section. The length to girth will change and the angle shifts less dramatic. JT suggests to plan ahead for the size tree you want and have longer internodes to allow for finished taper and movement.
Also to avoid creating a 2D flat trunk movement with cut & grow. Remember to select branches to move in and out of the plane for a more natural structure.
