hamtpon’s Sharp’s Pygmy

hampton

Mame
Messages
247
Reaction score
450
Location
Eastern Massachusetts
USDA Zone
6b
I picked up a Sharp’s Pygmy today and have gone about putting together a plan. I would love any feed back on both the plan and the tree, if anyone feels so inclined:

First the tree
4F23F34D-22C6-4235-8C6A-6CB573FA6C23.jpeg
98CD9ED0-8CCD-47CA-8FBE-65EC02F5F108.jpeg

E00EEEC0-666A-43A8-8BA2-392554B88E9E.jpeg
FD2003FE-F1C1-4109-9297-1BD5129F8DC7.jpeg
On to the plan:
I built a 14x14x3.5 grow box. Tomorrow I’m going to pull it out and see what we’re working with in hopes of getting any downward facing roots removed and attach a board. From there I’ll proceed with repotting.

Is it wise to remove unwanted structure when reducing the root mass or would it be beneficial to retain all the foliage to assist in root production?

I think something needs to be done about that initial bar branching - likely reducing one and removing the other. Outside of that I think I need a bit of time to consider the project but am very intrigued by the tree

as always, any input is certainly appreciated
 

Attachments

  • 162BB6E1-2E94-459B-8CC9-5E8B7DA4B543.jpeg
    162BB6E1-2E94-459B-8CC9-5E8B7DA4B543.jpeg
    268.8 KB · Views: 14

Hack Yeah!

Omono
Messages
1,634
Reaction score
3,178
Location
Marietta, GA
USDA Zone
7b
Looks like a great start. I have a similar project. I plan to start by layering above the graft this year. So I'm not disturbing the roots at all. If you go forward with repotting and sorting the roots i wouldn't hesitate to go ahead and prune which ever branches you know you certainly want gone. Good luck
 

hampton

Mame
Messages
247
Reaction score
450
Location
Eastern Massachusetts
USDA Zone
6b
Went through with repotting this morning. I think everything went well, no huge surprises.

Any opinion on structure would been up appreciated. I made some choices and am please with it’s current state but would be interested to hear what others think about it’s future.

9D56A71C-67B3-4176-A862-C6FC2C364525.jpegF44B219A-4727-4A59-A91C-5D9546AD4884.jpegA3899AF2-FD47-43B0-9ACB-070A4F1056C3.jpeg83B737F8-7004-4CE1-8707-352EE498BA04.jpeg
b50eea0e-6eec-412a-9ab3-6d3ea3a4b97f-jpeg.428316
 

Attachments

  • B50EEA0E-6EEC-412A-9AB3-6D3EA3A4B97F.jpeg
    B50EEA0E-6EEC-412A-9AB3-6D3EA3A4B97F.jpeg
    407.1 KB · Views: 216

Scrogdor

Chumono
Messages
583
Reaction score
481
Location
Oakland, CA
USDA Zone
9B
Nice, Sharp’s are awesome! I picked up one in December.

Deciding not to air layer mine above the graft for a couple reasons.

First this is an incredibly slow growing species and the trunk is not where I want it yet. (Make sure you don’t cut any branches you might want later, it’s gonna take a while to grow back) Second, the graft site is only noticeable because of the difference in bark color. Plan on bleaching mine to make it less noticeable.
 

Deep Sea Diver

Masterpiece
Messages
4,412
Reaction score
9,121
Location
Bothell, WA
USDA Zone
8b
My adiceis to favor keeping the much smaller more delicate branches and pruning off the larger ones. These grow out of proportion really fast in Sharps. Some already are out of proportion

Pay particular attention to using techniques to build the taper right from the get go. (Another characteristic of Sharps is their desire to create trunks with little taper, chopstick like)

Cheers
DSD sends
 

hampton

Mame
Messages
247
Reaction score
450
Location
Eastern Massachusetts
USDA Zone
6b
Question for anyone watching new posts: I have a plan to grow this out for the year then ground layer above the graft. I likely should have started with the ground layer but had it out of the pot before thinking through the process. Hopefully the base below the graft will bud and I'll leave the root system in the box.

Knowing this is very much in development is there any value in a partial defoliation for light/air circulation and the continual treatment of aphids or would I experience a net loss?

Thanks in advance and hope everyone's have a wonderful Saturday. It's a balmy 82 degrees here and getting ready to put some steaks on the grill
 

Deep Sea Diver

Masterpiece
Messages
4,412
Reaction score
9,121
Location
Bothell, WA
USDA Zone
8b
Likely of no use at this point. Yet it doesn’t look like you reduced the roots very much. So likely wouldn’t hurt if it was a light defoliation.

Steaks sound great, yet the sun isn’t over the yardarm yet!

cheers
DSD sends
 

Paradox

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,338
Reaction score
11,405
Location
Long Island, NY
USDA Zone
7a
its not a bad idea to prune it now.
The reduced root mass may not be able to support the full foliage mass.

I agree with cutting off the larger branches (there are 2 apparent, one at the lower branches and one mid way up that are too large) and Id also cut back many of the other branches to promote back budding
Most maples can handle repotting and branch reduction at the same time.

This tree has a nice start to it and will make a nice tree someday
 
Top Bottom