Japanese maple raft project

Dav4 · Dec 13, 2015

This is a maple I started as a cutting at least 15 years ago, or rather, it was layered off of a maple I started as a cutting over 15 years ago. For one reason or another, part of the trunk had died, so the roots were relatively one sided. I kept it around for a long time, mainly because it was 3 inches thick, but it was UGLY...little to no taper, a partially dead trunk, and only a few branches. The raft idea was basically a last resort option. I laid it on it's side 2 years ago and started developing it. All the branching was at the top of the trunk (right side), so I've attempted several thread and approach grafts...only 2 have taken but that may be enough. This past spring, I successfully got roots to grow from the right portion of trunk in contact with the ground. So, even though it's got a lot of growing ahead of it, I think it's finally got some potential.

Giga · Dec 13, 2015

Pretty cool, I always have a soft spot for the ugly ones.

Dav4 · Mar 6, 2016

Considering there weren't any roots in the right side a year ago, I'm pretty happy with where the roots are today.

jomawa · Mar 6, 2016

Well, it's probably needless to say, but "I like it". All ya gotta do now is grow those trees up to match that gorgeous ugly trunk.

Dav4 · Mar 6, 2016

jomawa said:
Well, it's probably needless to say, but "I like it". All ya gotta do now is grow those trees up to match that gorgeous ugly trunk.

Thanks and yup. Wiring the upright trunks for shape now then a wait of about 10 years oughta do it. By then the roots should be pretty good, too.

jomawa · Mar 6, 2016

Dav4 said:
wait about 10 years oughta do it.

Yer welcome, and thanks for the heads up on how long I'll be at my maples telling them "grow dangit, grow". Suppose I'll simply "remind" them each time I water. Havent been telling them for nearly three months because water has been falling steadily from the sky, but if we get a couple days dry I'll need to have a word with em', oh, and water them at that time. Been talk of someone hereabouts working on a floating thing called an Arc? Anyway I'm starting to ramble. Looking forward to watching your progression.

jriddell88 · Mar 6, 2016

Dav this is a special piece . Another 10 years and it will be spectacular!

ColinFraser · Mar 6, 2016

Love this! Looking forward to updates. Thanks for sharing!

sorce · Mar 6, 2016

This is some kind of great to me too!

The things that go under the tree, that's what is so interesting.
The things going on, on the other side.

I hope the "go under" stays, and maybe even got emphasized at repot?

Got Future?

Sorce

armetisius · Mar 6, 2016

Dav4 said:
This is a maple I started as a cutting at least 15 years ago, or rather, it was layered off of a maple I started as a cutting over 15 years ago. For one reason or another, part of the trunk had died, so the roots were relatively one sided. I kept it around for a long time, mainly because it was 3 inches thick, but it was UGLY...little to no taper, a partially dead trunk, and only a few branches. The raft idea was basically a last resort option. I laid it on it's side 2 years ago and started developing it. All the branching was at the top of the trunk (right side), so I've attempted several thread and approach grafts...only 2 have taken but that may be enough. This past spring, I successfully got roots to grow from the right portion of trunk in contact with the ground. So, even though it's got a lot of growing ahead of it, I think it's finally got some potential.View attachment 89045 View attachment 89046 View attachment 89047 View attachment 89048 View attachment 89049

Probably won't take another 10 years now.
Face it. It has always been beautiful. It just
had to survive long enough for you to see
beyond the blur. Now that you have, it will
rock right along I bet.
Try squinting next time.

Dav4 · Dec 31, 2016

A year later and after a heavy cut back about a month ago. This one is needing some wire then will get placed in a grow box for more development, me thinks.

namnhi · Dec 31, 2016

This one will be a really cool tree in a few year. Love the ugliness of the trunk!

Dav4 · Dec 31, 2016

namnhi said:
This one will be a really cool tree in a few year. Love the ugliness of the trunk!

Yeah, it's going to be another 4-5 years, but I can't wait to see this one in a nice shallow pot that really sets off the roots and trunk.

Dav4 · Mar 21, 2017

Repotted today. This one really likes to grow roots! Looking forward to getting this into a shallower pot to show off the nebari, but it's back into the deep training pot for another 3 or 5 years.

Cadillactaste · Mar 21, 2017

That's beautiful @Dav4! That trunk of the raft...the Shari/URO whatever you want to call it. Speaks to me...no, I lie...it sings softly into my ear. Stunning...

MACH5 · Mar 22, 2017

Very interesting material Dave. I look forward to seeing its development!

Giga · Mar 22, 2017

This is going to be sweet!

LanceMac10 · Mar 22, 2017

I know a "guy" that got a super long, low profile container from a well-known potter.

A Japanese Maple project.

What container size is required for the "future"? At least 20-22 inches? I'm not a huge fan of the "raft" approach, but this material is really out of the norm. Something that would look very different, surely.

I'll be interested in future updates....cool project!!

Dav4 · Mar 22, 2017

LanceMac10 said:
I know a "guy" that got a super long, low profile container from a well-known potter. A Japanese Maple project.

What container size is required for the "future"? At least 20-22 inches? I'm not a huge fan of the "raft" approach, but this material is really out of the norm. Something that would look very different, surely.

I'll be interested in future updates....cool project!!

Hmmm, I'm probably going to shoot for an oval that will allow both root balls to fit comfortably... maybe 16" wide... and worry about aesthetics later. As you say, this material is out there so I/m not sure what pot type will work and will be experimenting with it at that point.

LanceMac10 · Mar 22, 2017

Wingin' it estimate, around 13 inches from rootball edge to rootball edge on this material?
I can only estimate correctly when there is a bunch of beer cans in the photo....

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