Shishigashira to buy or not to buy?

Callum1912

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Hi guys,

I'm in the UK and been looking at this species for a while and they are almost impossible to get and the ones I have seen are crazy prices. I have just seen this one for £120, what do you think? Any potential?
 

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keri-wms

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Not cheap but not ridiculous either as they are rare here. They air layer really easily too! ;) I’d grab it and split it into three projects.
 

JoeR

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My vote is to save your money. If it was really a good deal I dont think you would need to get outside opinions. As far as I can tell, this tree doesn't have have too much going for it. You could grow a better one from cutting in the same amount of time this one would require to fix the flaws.

For me, shishigashira doesn't have any special qualities that you can't find in other a. palmatum cultivars. Koto-hime has similar, congested growth but smaller leaves, for instance. So I would consider broadening your options to include other cultivars if this one is particularly difficult to find there.
 

Leo in N E Illinois

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Personally I dislike the ruffled leaves of 'Shishigashira'. I prefer Japanese maples where the leaf lays flat. The tree in the image looks like a chicken's drumstick in a pot. Definitely not worth the price in my book. There are better cultivars of JM to work with.
 

Arlithrien

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I would not purchase it unless you wish to propagate from it. But if you can find larger shishigashira nursery stock for cheaper i think you'd be better starting from there.
 

Forsoothe!

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I see that there is a lot of uppity shots being taken at this $120 tree that don't take into consideration the question of what is actually available at a comparable price. The $595 tree is nicer, but not in the same ballpark. As long as it isn't graft on that stick it can be grown-on into an upright. Go for it if that's the best option you have right now.
 

Callum1912

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Thanks for the reply guys.. I know herons, I avoid them they are really over priced and haven't got a good name over here. To be honest I know its got its problems, I think I'm speaking myself into it being worth it just because it's a shishigashira and they are so hard to find over here haha. I have seen a few from nurseries but most have horrible grafts and really thin trunks, this is the most developed I have seen at the cheapest price. I am more towards leaving it though after these replies, cheers.
 

Callum1912

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Just to add as well I have searched for these for sale in the US and it looks like they are just as common as other varities, its completly the opposite over here. I could find 20 deshojos before one of these 🤣
 

Callum1912

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I see that there is a lot of uppity shots being taken at this $120 tree that don't take into consideration the question of what is actually available at a comparable price. The $595 tree is nicer, but not in the same ballpark. As long as it isn't graft on that stick it can be grown-on into an upright. Go for it if that's the best option you have right now.
I appreciate this comment, I probably should of mentioned the fact that I'm in the UK and this variety is like finding a needle in a haystack. I have looked on almost every specialist bonsai website and this one I have found and these two more expensive ones are the only ones that are in stock right now anywhere so the choices are extremly limited. I imagine it isn't a good deal if its easy to get in the US though. I would just get it exported but brexit and coronavirus has made it too risky, we can't even order from outside the UK at the minute.
 

Callum1912

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Personally I dislike the ruffled leaves of 'Shishigashira'. I prefer Japanese maples where the leaf lays flat. The tree in the image looks like a chicken's drumstick in a pot. Definitely not worth the price in my book. There are better cultivars of JM to work with.
I'm a fan of most maples, I have a few deshojos and a Shirasawanum but I love how unusual shishigashiras look! Love the chicken drumstick reference though 😂
 

Callum1912

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This is another one I have been looking at its a Japanese ' Shaina' maple, it definitly has a nicer shape and nebari, what do you guys think? It's £150.
 

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Callum1912

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My vote is to save your money. If it was really a good deal I dont think you would need to get outside opinions. As far as I can tell, this tree doesn't have have too much going for it. You could grow a better one from cutting in the same amount of time this one would require to fix the flaws.

For me, shishigashira doesn't have any special qualities that you can't find in other a. palmatum cultivars. Koto-hime has similar, congested growth but smaller leaves, for instance. So I would consider broadening your options to include other cultivars if this one is particularly difficult to find there.
Thank you, helpful information
 

River's Edge

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This is another one I have been looking at its a Japanese ' Shaina' maple, it definitly has a nicer shape and nebari, what do you guys think? It's £150.
If you look closely at the level it is planted, it appears to hide a clear view of the nebari. I would focus on finding something with better nebari and taper even if a smaller tree. Maples grow quickly as a general rule! The cultivar is only one aspect, the basic quality is where the value should be. Not a comment on availability or market pricing!
 

Callum1912

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If you look closely at the level it is planted, it appears to hide a clear view of the nebari. I would focus on finding something with better nebari and taper even if a smaller tree. Maples grow quickly as a general rule! The cultivar is only one aspect, the basic quality is where the value should be. Not a comment on availability or market pricing!
 
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