My first Japanese Maple

[M. Frary]

I've been wanting one for a while now but to find a decent sized Japanese Maple at a decent price around here is like finding Bigfoot. Well my wait is over and I didn't have to sell my first born. Heck I didn't even have to rent him out.
I found this tree at a nursery about 80 miles from here. They had lions head last year this size but I didn't pull the trigger. They're getting a couple next year. Hmmmm. This one is called red pygmy.
This is what she looked like when I got her home. By the way this tree was $90.00.

 

[M. Frary]

Did I mention it was large. Almost larger than me. I'm pretty big too. Think King Kong Bundy and the Undertaker having a love child. Not a pretty picture but that's what I've got to work with.
Back to the tree. I'm thinking under that burlap I'm going to find some things that also won't be so pretty. Let's unwrap and see. Yep. Solid clay. Not pretty at all.

 

[M. Frary]

Even though the tree has already sprouted leaves I just can't leave things like this. I hate clay. So to the hose we go. I will spray ball or most of this out. One more thing not so pretty. Nasty circling roots but also new roots. I am going to cut the one closest to the trunk off. That's it. I'll go back in next spring and really have a go at them.
Also we find the graft buried in there. If it wasn't there this would be the buy of the century. I was already resigned to having one and plan on turning the rootstock into a bonsai also. A pretty and fat green maple. This tree is so large I plan on layering 4 trees at least off of it. Maybe even a forest planting.

 

[M. Frary]

So after all that back in the bucket she goes. The burlap acts as a screen to keep the soil in. That's it for this year. Just water ,fertilizer and a lot of staring at is all it gets. Next year I'll start layering from the top down. If this was an elm I would just chop it right now. Just can't do such a thing to such a pretty tree.

 

[Lazylightningny]

That's one honkin BAR (big ass root). You plan on sticking it in the ground and air layering?

 

[Lazylightningny]

Never mind. You just answered my question with your last post.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Dirty Nails]

Why aren't you air layering now? It's the right time.

 

[M. Frary]

Why aren't you air layering now? It's the right time.

I'm starting air layering today. Gee wiz. Spring only started up here like 2 days ago.
I'll post some pictures of the process. You guys got me taking all kinds of pictures now. My phone is getting filthy!

 

[tmpgh]

I'm still afraid to start air layers here. Never know when that late frost will hit.

 

[Dav4]

Did I mention it was large. Almost larger than me. I'm pretty big too. Think King Kong Bundy and the Undertaker having a love child. Not a pretty picture but that's what I've got to work with.
Back to the tree. I'm thinking under that burlap I'm going to find some things that also won't be so pretty. Let's unwrap and see. Yep. Solid clay. Not pretty at all.

That's BIG....and quite a disturbing thought in general.

 

[Dav4]

I would seriously consider just remaking the entire nebari in one go with a ground layer...but not this year.

 

[M. Frary]

That's BIG....and quite a disturbing thought in general.

That's me there. Not the pretty ones either. They're my daughters . The taller one gets her height from me. The little one in front is the real scary person in that picture.

 

[M. Frary]

I would seriously consider just remaking the entire nebari in one go with a ground layer...but not this year.

That is a good idea. That mess of roots is almost beyond help. I'm so cheap that I would like to know if these grow from root cuttings. I'm planning on getting as many trees out of this as possible.
I'm pretty tight. Tighter than the bark on a tree!

 

[Dav4]

That's me there. Not the pretty ones either. They're my daughters . The taller one gets her height from me. The little one in front is the real scary person in that picture.

Dude, you don't look anything like the Undertaker....and good luck with the daughters....I only have one and that's enough.

 

[Eric Group]

Air layer a branch or two off first to reduce some olive and prepare it for the big split next year! next year ground layer the top off the root stock, and remove a bunch of branches when you separate the layer (a couple years after )- should net you a Bunche trees! It never winds up being enough though! LOL

Pretty tree... Not real familiar with that exact cultivar but it has nice color!

 

[M. Frary]

I'm looking at probably 5 single trees and 7 to 9 for a forest planting and 1 green maple. Doing the first layers next weekend. Need supplies.

 

[barrosinc]

That is a good idea. That mess of roots is almost beyond help. I'm so cheap that I would like to know if these grow from root cuttings. I'm planning on getting as many trees out of this as possible.
I'm pretty tight. Tighter than the bark on a tree!

root cuttings will produce regular palmatums.

 

[Dav4]

root cuttings will produce regular palmatums.

Acer palmatums won't bud and grow from root cuttings.

 

[M. Frary]

Dude, you don't look anything like the Undertaker....and good luck with the daughters....I only have one and that's enough.

More like King Kong Bundy in looks more like Undertaker in attitude. Luckily the girls will both be married by next year.

 

[M. Frary]

Air layer a branch or two off first to reduce some olive and prepare it for the big split next year! next year ground layer the top off the root stock, and remove a bunch of branches when you separate the layer (a couple years after )- should net you a Bunche trees! It never winds up being enough though! LOL

Pretty tree... Not real familiar with that exact cultivar but it has nice color!

It's starting to get redder but it is very pretty. Almost hate to take it apart. Almost!