Toriki

The Japanese term "Toriki" means air-layering in the context of bonsai. It is a technique to propagate new trees by forcing a branch or trunk to form new roots at a certain point by interrupting the nutrient flow from the existing root system. The new roots are then separated from the parent tree and planted as a new bonsai. There are two main methods of toriki: the tourniquet method and the ring method, depending on how the nutrient flow is blocked. Toriki is useful for reducing the length of a trunk, improving the root flare, or selecting a branch to be grown as a separate tree.