......and again!
A slot is made just narrower than the width of the whip.
Two sides of the whip are de-barked. It is critical the fit is perfect.
Once in, the union is bound with rubber and heavy wire.
-
John Armitage.
Cheers John, thanks for the refresher.
Iain
The position of the new branch/foliage is discussed.
The whips are selected according to their position. 
Its best to take your time and get it right first time.
Checking again .......Grafting
After my talk on the grafting techniques that were used at the nursery where I studied in Japan, I thought that it was probably too much information to take in one go. So, to refresh your memories and to cover the key points again, I thought that I would write something for your blog.
Generally we used the approach graft. This proves to be the most reliable method.
The purpose for which is usually:
1. To replace undesirable types foliage.
2. To grow branches in better positions.
3. To improve roots.
4. To alter the height/size of the bonsai.
5. To make the design of the bonsai sustainable.
6. To make multiple bonsai from one piece of material.
7. To make use of difficult albeit character full material.
It would be a waste of time to use these techniques on material that has little character or interest other for the sake of practice.
In order for the graft to be successful the key points to remember are:
Use very sharp tools
Do not forget to water and feed the “whip”. It’s easily missed.
Do not imbed the whip too deeply nor to high in the base tree. Ideally they should be flush with each other.
In order for the graft to take as quickly as possible, the match between cambium layers should be precise and performed with a very sharp knife.
The longer the contact area the stronger the resulting graft with be.
The whip should be fully immobilised. If it moves, it won’t take.
Don’t be in a hurry to remove the bindings. Leave them for as long as you can bear to.
In the case of grafting whips to make new roots. After one year, construct a polystyrene box around them to encourage growth and new roots direct from the trunk.
I hope that this and my talk encourage you to give it a go.
John Armitage
Ian introducing Johns interesting talk - the 1st half based on his latest trip to the bonsai school held at Nobuichi Urushibata sans Taisho En nursery in Shizuoka, the 2nd half highlighting the issue of grafting. 
John (I thought he would be taller!!!??) discusses possible grafting on a Blackthorn owned by Lee......
......and the tree in question!
Plus a picture of a lovely maple brought along to the meeting .
This months Tree of the month as chosen by John Armitage was "yours truly's" English Elm.
A very large pine.
Myrtle (I think?) personally, not sure of the pot though.....
Tilia -with a very unusual accent... its a Bakerlite electrical switch with wire attached.... burnt into a wooden plinth!!!! ......these French, eh....
A nice yew.
The club poster-spotted in a local shop!!
A pine atop an interesting table.
Olivier Barreau's very nice Box-my personal best in show.
Plus Olivier's demo tree
.Tom's+Larch+.jpg)
