When driftwood meets bonsai

Wood appears to be lifeless but nature is bountiful as well as beauteous and all creativity stems from it Traditionally mans creative instinct helped regular flow of new artistic articles available in the world markets Such creativity has been explored in driftwood also

Updated At : 02:45 PM Apr 01, 2017 IST

Maj-Gen C S Bewli

Wood appears to be lifeless, but nature is bountiful as well as beauteous, and all creativity stems from it. Traditionally man’s creative instinct helped regular flow of new artistic articles available in the world markets. Such creativity has been explored in driftwood also. Aesthetic and elegant specimens by way of driftwood bonsai have occupied prominent places of pride in the drawing rooms, gardens and lawns. Bonsai is the Japanese art of creating miniature trees, but when a living tree is grafted on to a piece of driftwood, the creation is a driftwood bonsai. One such bonsai decently displayed is an object of fascination and admiration in contrast to the expensive furniture and souvenirs present in the vicinity.

A suitable piece of driftwood is articulated as an aesthetic ornament to glorify bonsai. This helps to create a contrast and distinct double tone effect of the dead wood and the live plant. The duo, wood and the tree is made to appear as a single entity. Such contrast lightens up the surroundings and makes a completely different and an unusual addition to bonsai collection.

Creation of driftwood bonsai is an expeditious means to create bonsai when compared to the traditional ones.

Do-It-Yourself

Select a suitable pot and a flexible plant material to match the profile of the driftwood or vice-versa. Conforming to the framework of the driftwood, more than one plant may be utilised to create the effect.

Drill a couple of holes in the pot to secure the driftwood firmly.
After finalising the placement of the angle of the driftwood and its stability in the pot, a horizontal cut is made at the base of the driftwood.
Drill small holes all along the driftwood as per the configuration of the plant.
Remove the plant from the pot and fix the trunk and branches into the grooves/channels created in the driftwood by passing wire through the holes while ensuring safety of roots.
Remove branches that do not conform to the desired shape. Secure the tree with the driftwood firmly.
To minimise rot of driftwood at its base, reduce its contact area with the soil-mix by placing a suitable-sized flat piece of a brick or a tile which should be camouflaged with the soil mix.
Anchor the whole configuration to sit firmly in the pot using wires passing through the holes in the pot.
While potting, place the combination on the flat piece of a brick or a tile made for the purpose and pot the bonsai using standard potting techniques.

— The writer is president of the National Cactus & Succulent Society of India and Bonsai Culture Society

Tips to tackle the wood

It should have a natural, aesthetic and a weathered disposition.
It should be thoroughly dried before use; else it may decay and impair the tree.
Its beauty is further enhanced by supplementary carving.
It should be treated with three to four coats of the lime sulphur solution using a paint brush. Besides bleaching and whitening the wood, it also deters pests from devastating the plant.

Juniper is the most suitable plant for creating driftwood bonsai. Its flexible branches respond and cope well to training and can easily be harmonised into the grooves of the driftwood. Being a hardy plant it is able to accept severe pruning.

Advantages of using driftwood

It imparts an aged and a mature look to the young-looking bonsai.
It gives a natural and an aesthetic appeal to bonsai.
It gives a different appearance to the bonsai compared to the traditional ones.
It bestows an unusual addition to the bonsai collection.