Chinese Banyan - Pruning & Shaping help needed

[olivia2012]

hi everyone,

I am very new to this. and I am looking for some serious help here

my chinese banyan is a week old and it is about 10 cms. it has three disjointed main branches , so its like \|/

now I need it to have one thick main branch. what do I do? wire or prune?

please help.

[Marsman]

Olivia,

Welcome to the forum!

As for your banyan, if it's only a week old, I think you need to let it grow a bit before you start to shape it. Give it, say, 10 years or so. You have to let it be a tree first before you can see what shape would best fit it. As a bonsai artist, you don't force a tree do what you want it to, you understand where the tree wants to go and guide it.

(Warning, the above may be complete BS. )

Can you post a picture of your tree? See my signature block below for help in posting pictures.

[olivia2012]

hey thanks.

really appreciate it!. the pics will help you get a better idea about what I am talking about.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Olivia.Mukherjee/Bonsai#

https://picasaweb.google.com/Olivia.Mukherjee/Bonsai#5474552144970186770

https://picasaweb.google.com/Olivia.Mukherjee/Bonsai#5474552144785907074

[tomfisher]

id wait a while first patience is a virtue but does suck at times

[Marsman]

Yep, it's too small at this time to work on. Let it mature for a while. I'm not being facetious when I say give it 4 or 5 years.

[olivia2012]

sure. thanks...if we all survive, by 2014 my banyan should be ready to show off Amen!