Raffia is a reed-like plant material commonly found in most garden centres, it is soaked in water for 30 minutes and then carefully wound tightly, around the length of the branch. In this case, 4 layers of raffia are used.
Raffia : Originates from the raffia palm. The fiber, which is soft, pliable, strong, and nonshrinking when wet, is torn in thin strips from these leaves.
R: Raffia - A dried shredded reed used to wrap branches and trunk before bending to cushion and reduce the likelihood of splitting.
raft style - a bonsai style in which multiple trunks grow in a line from a connected base.
Raffia is best to use to wrap the trunk of the tree as it protects the trunk when you do the heavy wiring and disintegrates over time. (Soak raffia well before using.) Tie raffia at the base of the trunk.
- You may need raffia (branch protection) to save your branches from being eaten away by wire.
- Wire before the growing season.
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Large trunk stock plants are first protected with raffia. A bundle of wet raffia is placed lengthwise along the trunk as close to the branches as possible. This is secured by occasional wraps of raffia.
Fagus 'Riversu' - side tongue graft, tied with raffia, Average time for grafting: 1.92 minutes. Hibiscus syriacus cultivars, veneer graft. tied with 2-ply fillis. Average time for grafting: 0.67 minutes.
Alternatively branches may be tied town using a soft raffia twine, tied near the end of the branch to be pulled down, then tie the other end to the base of the tree trunk, to the pot, ...
thick branches that are to be bent drastically should be wrapped with several layers of raffia for extra support. By wetting the raffia first, it is easier to bind more tightly ...
Branches over 1" in diameter can be shaped by using raffia to protect the bark and then wiring with heavy wire. Wiring during early summer requires caution as the bark may slip at this time.
For trees with softer bark, (serissas, cherries etc.) wrap the wire in raffia (usually available where you get wire) or paper tape so the wire won't hurt the bark.
Bind the upper part of the trunk with grafting tape or a plastic strip bound with tape or raffia. It is often good to place some damp sphagnum moss around the wound, but in any case do not allow the wound to dry out.
When bending trunks and branches, be sure to support the area being bent by wrapping it with raffia. Also, bend trunks and branches slowly and gradually to prevent damage to the tree.
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Air Layering Propagation for Growing Bonsai ...
Wire tends to slice into the soft wood of the olive tree and so raffia is often used in its place. In addition, pruning is to occur in the fall during a waning moon. This will avoid the growth of branches inward toward the trunk.
Wiring: Branches are hard and not easy to bend, especially older ones, so handle with care, use raffia to protect from scaring. Can be wired anytime, but best in the colder months, when growth has eased.
Notes: ...
The large, straight branch would be bent down, and from that, secondary branches could be used to form the canopy. Rebar and raffia would have to be used to bring down the main branch - a nerve racking process since if this branch broke, ...
5mm, 2.5mm and 4mm thick wire should be ok. When wiring thick branches it is recommended to wrap them first with raffia, which will protect the branches from being damaged by the wire when bending them.
 See also: Tree, Bonsai, Trunk, Grow, Plant
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