Japanese Maple air layer

Paul F.

Shohin
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Hey Guys, I’ve had this Japanese maple growing for the past 4 years in the Florida keys in the ground, btw. It’s survived a hurricane, a half a hurricane, saltwater floods and 4 brutal tropical summers. She does ok but I think she’s on the wrong side of the house. She isn’t pretty but I think I want to try an air layer. I will eventually pull it out of the ground into a bonsai pot but for now I think I wanna get a few air layers going. I’m attaching some pictures to see what you guys think about where I should place it. I was thinking on the branch with the three branches? Maybe?

Thanks!
 

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Hack Yeah!

Omono
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@Paul F. , when you say wrong side of the house, do you mean because you want it somewhere or because you think the tree will do better? Was this from seed, that lower bark is looking awesome
 

Paul F.

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It was from seed. I put it in the ground so it would get a fat trunk. Now 4 years later, I’m so scared to pull it out. And yes, I think it will do much better on the east side which only gets about 4 hours of blistering tropical sun in the morning. I though the trunk was pretty damn cool too! I ordered akadama, lava and all sorts of shit to get it into a pot. But just the thought makes me sick. I’m probably gonna air layer a few branches first.. F***, I don’t know what to do…
 

Paul F.

Shohin
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Florida Keys
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I would make the air layer just in the node of red line. I like triple trunk style bonsais so that would be my choice.View attachment 484628
I was thinking that same thing.. thank you… the three branches would be cool as hell. Never air layered before so I’ll be shitting my pants.. 😂😂😂
 

BrianBay9

Masterpiece
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Yeah, J maples in the keys must be a challenge. Prob do better with bald cypress, ficus, etc
 

Paul F.

Shohin
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Florida Keys
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Yeah, J maples in the keys must be a challenge. Prob do better with bald cypress, ficus, etc
Definitely a challenge but it lasted almost 5 years through hurricanes and stuff. I think if I moved it, it would be way better for the tree.. I think it will thrive and grow more. I need to get it out of the coral sandy dirt its in. Has tons of manganese in the soil and I read Maples don’t like that. Not sure if it’s true or not but…. Part of this maple that sprouted out from the bottom is growing under a tree next to it and the leaves look fantastic. I just got to get ot out of that 10 hours a day sun.
 
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