Raffia Explained by Flex Houvig

Flex gives a in depth look at Raffia, its history, use in bonsai culture, and other techniques

I just now got around to reading this article, and I'm impressed!
The diagrams on how to add more raffia on and how to do the actual wrapping were the best part-now
if I need to use raffia, I have a resource when I get lost .

Raffia inspired the use of hay bale twine with my teacher Daniel Robinson. He taught me to use it instead, as there is no need to make it wet, it's easier to put on (cut any length you need, and it will not break), and because it doesn't rot. To use it, it's important to untwist the fibers as you are laying it down flat. Aside from that it goes on much the same. It's cheap, and readily available at any feed store. The only thing you have to get used to is the color. Often available in blue or orange... it may not be as pretty as raffia... but man it works AWESOME.

Good article though...

Kindest regards,

Victrinia

A logical alternative and much thicker too. One application would do the trick, but being being non-organic how would this affect the bark below? There again if it works for Daniel who are we to question this?

Ash

Ash Barns wrote:A logical alternative and much thicker too. One application would do the trick, but being being non-organic how would this affect the bark below? There again if it works for Daniel who are we to question this?

Ash

It doesn't effect the bark at all... it breaths fine since it is of a fiberous texture.

Yours,

Victrinia

*eyes her strings and strings of hay twine*

However, isn't part of the idea of using raffia *because* it is an organic and will decompose?

Also......cutting hay string off would not be an easy task....you'd need a razor and a sharp eye. It's very tough stuff! It has to hold an 50-80 lb compressed bale of hay together. Is there a special trick? I use it to do temporary repairs on fences and have *fun* trying to cut the knots apart. It's also no fun to untangle from around a dumb chickens feet who managed to wrap themselves up in it....

PS it's also in natural too......although this seems to be a hemp type string and not the plastic like the orange or blue and doesn't come up very often

nsmar4211 wrote:*eyes her strings and strings of hay twine*

However, isn't part of the idea of using raffia *because* it is an organic and will decompose?

Also......cutting hay string off would not be an easy task....you'd need a razor and a sharp eye. It's very tough stuff! It has to hold an 50-80 lb compressed bale of hay together. Is there a special trick? I use it to do temporary repairs on fences and have *fun* trying to cut the knots apart. It's also no fun to untangle from around a dumb chickens feet who managed to wrap themselves up in it....

PS it's also in natural too......although this seems to be a hemp type string and not the plastic like the orange or blue and doesn't come up very often

Thank you of reminding me of a small but important point.... we don't tie knots.... we loop it around a branch or other convenient spot to hold it in place, after a couple wraps it holds itself. small light wire wrapped around the end secures it. So it comes off really easy.

Ahhhhhhhh! Ok that makes way more sense. So basically you're using it as padding then, right?

nsmar4211 wrote:Ahhhhhhhh! Ok that makes way more sense. So basically you're using it as padding then, right?

More than padding really... it's used to prevent delamination of the wood when you are going to be applying wire. We put it on pretty tight....