Need Some Guidance on what to do with this Deshojo JM

[Jetson1950]

A few years back when I first moved here I was just trying to see if I could grow Japanese Maples here in central Florida’s zone 9b. I found out it’s possible, but does required a few extra efforts to keep them from frying in the summer and making it through the warm winters, but definitely possible. Extra work but the maples are one of my favorites trees.

This one I got on line and it came with an absolutely awful graft. It also appeared to have growth below the graft that was cut off and didn’t heal very nicely. I’ve just let it grow and thought I might try to make something of it next spring. Unfortunately I wasn’t smart enough three years ago to try and put some movement in the truck when it was flexible and now it’s quite hard so I’m stuck with a straight trunk. It’s healthy and grows good, but I need some ideas from smarter folks on how to work with it to turn it into something acceptable. Probably never show quality, but a descent bonsai. Trunk above the graft is 3/8”.

I’m open to any suggestions except using it for fire kindling or a table.

 

[Jetson1950]

Bump

 

[Dav4]

If this were mine, I would only be interested in growing it on and making it a bigger piece of material. At some point over the next few years, I would also be considering doing a layer at the graft to get it on its own roots.

 

[Jetson1950]

If this were mine, I would only be interested in growing it on and making it a bigger piece of material. At some point over the next few years, I would also be considering doing a layer at the graft to get it on its own roots.

Makes since. It’s got a very short trunk above the graft and below the split for the two main branches. I was thinking maybe air layer off one of the two main branches and let the other become a single trunk. Then, as you said, let it grow a bit so I would have a longer trunk to work with to air layer off the graft.

 

[River's Edge]

If this were mine, I would only be interested in growing it on and making it a bigger piece of material. At some point over the next few years, I would also be considering doing a layer at the graft to get it on its own roots.

This is the approach that I would take as well. Often the way we acquire certain cultivars is with material in this age range. So the steps I take is to first determine if there is a trunk line that interests me to airllayer off a larger portion. Regardless of the particular piece of material my first actual work is to strengthen the plant for the coming work expected. So I would fertilize and prepare the tree for the coming spring and likely air layer attempts.
Due to the natural growth pattern of many of these cultivars at some point it is wise to thin whorls gradually tp prevent future issues. Taking the time to execute cuts carefully and seal the cuts for proper healing and less risk of disease or decay. Keep in mind that the more foliage you retain the better response for air layering. Think Marathon as opposed to sprint.The whorls can be dealt with after the air layer attempts are separated and they have contributed to root growth.
Make sure the plant is healthy and bump it up for next spring.

 

[Jetson1950]

This is the approach that I would take as well. Often the way we acquire certain cultivars is with material in this age range. So the steps I take is to first determine if there is a trunk line that interests me to airllayer off a larger portion. Regardless of the particular piece of material my first actual work is to strengthen the plant for the coming work expected. So I would fertilize and prepare the tree for the coming spring and likely air layer attempts.
Due to the natural growth pattern of many of these cultivars at some point it is wise to thin whorls gradually tp prevent future issues. Taking the time to execute cuts carefully and seal the cuts for proper healing and less risk of disease or decay. Keep in mind that the more foliage you retain the better response for air layering. Think Marathon as opposed to sprint.The whorls can be dealt with after the air layer attempts are separated and they have contributed to root growth.
Make sure the plant is healthy and bump it up for next spring.

Thanks. This is what I’m looking at. The split into two main branches doesn’t seem right to developed what I want to see. Removing one of them and letting the remaining one be a trunk and form new back branches will allow me to develop it into more of a classic maple bonsai look that fits my eye. Plus, that would give me another tree to develop. I’m still fairly new at this and I still have trouble allowing myself to do major cuts and be able to see where that will take me in its development. Basically I’m still afraid I’ll do more damage than creating something better. Guess it’s time to get my feet wet on making those kind of decisions.

 

[River's Edge]

Thanks. This is what I’m looking at. The split into two main branches doesn’t seem right to developed what I want to see. Removing one of them and letting the remaining one be a trunk and form new back branches will allow me to develop it into more of a classic maple bonsai look that fits my eye. Plus, that would give me another tree to develop. I’m still fairly new at this and I still have trouble allowing myself to do major cuts and be able to see where that will take me in its development. Basically I’m still afraid I’ll do more damage than creating something better. Guess it’s time to get my feet wet on making those kind of decisions.

The only way to find out what lies ahead is to move forward. Gaining confidence comes primarily from gaining experience. Give yourself permission to fail.

 

[Wulfskaar]

There have been a few times that I broke out into a cold sweat doing what was suggested to a tree of mine.

It usually pays off in the long run.

 

[Jetson1950]

The only way to find out what lies ahead is to move forward. Gaining confidence comes primarily from gaining experience. Give yourself permission to fail.

There have been a few times that I broke out into a cold sweat doing what was suggested to a tree of mine.

It usually pays off in the long run.

Yes, and I’m working on it. I’m still in that group that will wait 6 months on a tree to come back even though I know it’s been dead for a while. Can’t seem to give up on them. I think one of the main things about the hobby I’m having trouble with is amplified when I read and study up on building a trident maple bonsai. I know you can do just about anything to them and they will keep on growing. But, I look at tridents that have been cut, recut and recut again leaving a (IMHO) a very deformed looking trunk with little limbs sticking out from it. I just can’t find it in me to say that’s good for the tree and it’s okay to do. I did fly one of the greatest killing machines on the planet (f15 fighter), but I’m just a softie inside. Don’t want to hurt the little trees in my care. I’ll get there. It will just take time.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Yes, and I’m working on it. I’m still in that group that will wait 6 months on a tree to come back even though I know it’s been dead for a while. Can’t seem to give up on them. I think one of the main things about the hobby I’m having trouble with is amplified when I read and study up on building a trident maple bonsai. I know you can do just about anything to them and they will keep on growing. But, I look at tridents that have been cut, recut and recut again leaving a (IMHO) a very deformed looking trunk with little limbs sticking out from it. I just can’t find it in me to say that’s good for the tree and it’s okay to do. I did fly one of the greatest killing machines on the planet (f15 fighter), but I’m just a softie inside. Don’t want to hurt the little trees in my care. I’ll get there. It will just take time.

I'm only starting to get there, especially since I have a lot more trees than I used to.

I was once big into flight sims, and an old F-15 sim was one of my favorites. A fantastic killing machine it is.

I once also saw one at the St. Louis airport as I was waiting on the tarmac for our turn to take off. It was more of a blast-off than a lift-off, as it went straight up into the clouds. Amazing!

 

[Jetson1950]

I'm only starting to get there, especially since I have a lot more trees than I used to.

I was once big into flight sims, and an old F-15 sim was one of my favorites. A fantastic killing machine it is.

I once also saw one at the St. Louis airport as I was waiting on the tarmac for our turn to take off. It was more of a blast-off than a lift-off, as it went straight up into the clouds. Amazing!

Yeah, that’s a fun takeoff. The controllers wanted us to get airborne and get out of their hair quick so you get cleared for a full burner takeoff and quick climb. You can be up in Air Traffic Center airspace (above 23,000 feet) in about 20 seconds. Giddy Up!

 

[badatusernames]

Tbh I’d take a bunch of air layers, probably around where things branch off to get an inch or so of base before it tapers smaller at the transition

Then grow THOSE out with intent, on a tile, thinking about the direction I want it to take, wire new growth to create more movement but then let that grow unrestricted…

That kinda thing. Deshojo, esp good material, is hard to find and that’d help there be more of it + give you more things to play with if you screw one up

 

[Jetson1950]

Tbh I’d take a bunch of air layers, probably around where things branch off to get an inch or so of base before it tapers smaller at the transition

Then grow THOSE out with intent, on a tile, thinking about the direction I want it to take, wire new growth to create more movement but then let that grow unrestricted…

That kinda thing. Deshojo, esp good material, is hard to find and that’d help there be more of it + give you more things to play with if you screw one up

Good thought. I think I’m ready to start trying to take a tree apart to try and make something better out of it. I’ve been hesitant to do that, but some of the ones I have will never become something nice until I overcome that fear and force the issue with them. I’m getting pretty good at air layering now with a pretty good success rate, so it’s time to take the leap. I’m starting to be able to see where I want to go with them now and that helps. I’ve got a few months to chew on it till spring. It seems the Japanese maples take a little longer than some to grow good roots on the air layering and I will wait till spring to do this one.