HOW TO THICKEN THE TRUNK OF YOUR BONSAI!

This trick is for that particular plant you find that seems to have the potential to become a nice bonsai but the trunk is very small in proportion. You will also find it somewhat helpful in creating a better taper. When pruning your newly created bonsai you should leave a branch low to the base of the trunk, even if this particular branch does not meet your esthetic requirements. Remember this branch is usually left on temporarily, but can be kept if it is helping you to achieve the overall shape you are striving for. What this trick accomplishes is to direct a strong amount of nutrients through the cambium of the trunk directly to this branch because it is the first branch the nutrients reach therefore sending less nutrients up the rest of the trunk to spread off to other branches. This extra flow of nutrients to the lowest part of the tree increases the rate the trunk thickens usually by double. When the trunk becomes proportionate you can then go ahead and remove this lower branch. On some species the desired effect can be reached in as short a time as 3-6 months.