Acer Palmatum Deshojo Styling

[TreeJey]

This weekend was my first time at a bonsai exhibition, the Trophy, and I was completely overwhelmed by the impressions. I can’t handle all the stuf to buy and all the beautiful tries.
I decided to take my frist Acer Palmatum Deshojo with me.
Now I'm thinking all the time about how to work with the tree. Would you cut off the rather thick side shoot? Or do you leave it and try to develop it further and pull it down a little? My fear is that if I cut it off, the trunk will look quite long, straight and boring.
What would you do?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Yes, I think that side shoot needs to go... but I would consider air-layering it off, and then you have two trees!

 

[TreeJey]

Interesting that would be my first air layer

 

[River's Edge]

This weekend was my first time at a bonsai exhibition, the Trophy, and I was completely overwhelmed by the impressions. I can’t handle all the stuf to buy and all the beautiful tries.
I decided to take my frist Acer Palmatum Deshojo with me.
Now I'm thinking all the time about how to work with the tree. Would you cut off the rather thick side shoot? Or do you leave it and try to develop it further and pull it down a little? My fear is that if I cut it off, the trunk will look quite long, straight and boring.
What would you do?

Agreed with air layer in order to make the most of the material. Also in consideration of the current nebari as shown in the picture.
I would propose a double air layer to create three trees, two with better potential and one that would require a lot of work with the root structure. The left side air layer has the best potential, right side next and the lower portion the least in my view!
Overall could have two very nice trees and a promising one with extra work. An extra suggestion to think about.

 

[TreeJey]

this weekend I had my first lesson at Werner Buschs Bonsaiwerkstatt. In this teaching I decided to go a complete different way. I always watch for the interesting technic of air layering. So I decided to try my best and this is the result.

 

[River's Edge]

I like the choices, showing promise. Nice timing for the pruning at the same time as the root work and repot. look forward to the air layer result. Love the pot choice, not your usual maintenance pot. But a nice size to continue development! Well done!

 

[leatherback]

Next time, tell Werner Jelle sais hello

 

[TreeJey]

Next time, tell Werner Jelle sais hello

Of course I will
Maybe we'll have a chat again sometime. At the trophy I could only say hey to you in passing near Werners stand ^^ it was probably just too busy for more

 

[TreeJey]

So after a couple of month I’ll like to share some updates with you.
The new roots are growing fast and I think the new rootbase will develop really good. What do you mean when should I cut the tree and set him in his new pot? Should I wait for some month?

And what I ask myself was is it possible to let grow the cuttet stamp in hope that the old base push new growth so that I can develop two trees or is that not possible after airlayering?

 

[leatherback]

It is very common for the base to resprout. I am surprised it has not done so yet.

 

[TreeJey]

It is very common for the base to resprout. I am surprised it has not done so yet.

Maybe it is I haven’t open the bag right now. I’m not sure if I should open and cut off the airlayer or if i should let the grow the new routs for a couple of month

 

[leatherback]

I separate as soon as roots are there, and it would have been off already with sheltered aftercare.
But I am an early cutter.

Common knowledge would recommend waiting a bit.

 

[AshleyMammal]

I separate as soon as roots are there, and it would have been off already with sheltered aftercare.
But I am an early cutter.

Common knowledge would recommend waiting a bit.

That's interesting to know Jelle, would you still separate now in early July? do you do any leaf pruning/defoliating when separating? and would you do this for other species?

Common knowledge has me waiting until end of August/September (in the UK), I've got a quince airlayer in progress that I was thinking of separating in summer as they're known to be suitable for summer repots - I'll definitely give it a go now. Also got a couple of european hornbeam airlayers on the go that I might separate soon.

 

[TreeJey]

Today I cut down the little one. The root base looks amazing. Maybe the little one will be a nice shohin somedays.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Great job!