Tips: Essential tools for your Bonsai styling kit

Sharp scissors that close to a fine point –

Long handles keep your hands out of the canopy. Often called ‘leaf & twig shears’, don’t be confused, these are not tailor’s shears with enormous blades. Cut twigs up to 3mm with your scissors, but don’t twist or rack the blades. Match the tool to the task. Stainless steel blades can be sharpened again & again.

Powerful scissors for root pruning -

You'll want something with strong blades and more 'drive' than your leaf/twig shears, to get through tough root material.

Re-potting or digging utensil -

For combing out roots on small plants, prodding around the surface soil, weeding. Absolutely indispensable.

Wire cutters -

Never cut wire with your scissors! Bonsai wire cutters have a fine point & are either scissor-style with really short blades, or long handled with short blades. Cutting wire before applying it is one thing, but cutting every loop during removal is a chore without decent wire cutters.

Jin pliers -

I'm a bit unusual in putting jin pliers so high up the 'basic tools' list. However, I don't have really strong fingers and find they're helpful for getting the first or last turn onto heavy gauge wire, for stripping bark (the original intended use), pulling out tough weeds that refuse to yield any other way. With the jaws parallel, there's a gap between. As soon as the jaws start to close, pressure is applied. Really powerful, I love my jin pliers.

Cut paste -

Brown, like plasticine, in a screw-top tub, I use this one on conifers. It becomes more pliable as you work it between your fingers. Use to plug up wounds made with your branch cutters. Seals the wound to stop sap leaking out, prevents bugs and fungus getting in & from an aesthetic perspective, hides the evidence of tool use.

Green, in a toothpaste-like tube, goes on sticky & pale green, dries clear; fingers or other applicator wash up in water if you do it immediately. Insoluble once it dries. Use it to plug up wounds on deciduous & broadleaved evergreen trees. Use whichever paste suits the colour & texture of the bark.