I am new too. My mom told me to use a medium wire. I guess it depends on what type of plant you are using. I am just using an ivy ..but I am not too sure. Good luck. If you find any info out please feel free to share...happy gardening to ya

I say stop looking at frames and start looking for plant material to form your shape. There are so many options to work with. I have seen so many deer and cattle forms done freeform. Be brave you have a lot of time to work on it.

For fun use copper wire and throw in some beads and have extra wires spiraling off. They even make colored copper wire and you can buy it at craft stores, like Michaels. Make something wonderful. I like to sprinkle pretty gravel, finely tumbled cobalt blue glass, or seashells around the plantings too.

I have a camellia sassaqua that I have decided to train as an indoor, tabletop topiary. I thought I had picked a suitable one but now I'm having second thoughts.

The main stem is only 6" tall and then it branches in to a perfect "V" with two stems. Since I have brought it home it has grown at least 3" on the top branches. I thought that was great BUT I want the main steam to get at least 10" tall then have the ball effect.

I can't cut any more stems from the bottom of the tree because of the two branches that create the "V". My ? is will the central stem keep getting taller without trimming the top or do I just need to give up on this one and cut the top to get it to bush out and be happy with the 6" main stem? Please tell me if there is any hope for me to get the main stem taller. If yes, please give instructions. THANKS!!!