Rooting Whole Japanese Maple Branches

Throwing my name into the hat. Trying to get an unknown Juniper variety to root.View attachment 613324
Not sure if you've have holes in the lid of the bottle or not, but be careful the water in the bottom is emptied as it reaches any holes as this prevents drainage

Best of luck! Look forward to seeing your results
 
Not sure if you've have holes in the lid of the bottle or not, but be careful the water in the bottom is emptied as it reaches any holes as this prevents drainage

Best of luck! Look forward to seeing your results
I have about 10 holes radially around the clear part of the upside down half. Plus bottom and sides of the actual cap . I will follow up with results. Thanks 👍
 
A few more cuttings have come out of the box over the last few weeks:
These two are off cuts from a larger tree I was reducing in height that I threw into one pot together 45 days go.
IMG_3501.jpegIMG_3504.jpeg
This is a stalled air layer on an Arakawa maple that I cut off with callus and threw into a pond basket in the box 3 weeks ago and quickly put out roots.
IMG_3505.jpeg
I also had two small pots with cuttings. One with kotohime JM pencil thick ones and another with younger trident maple cuttings:
IMG_3507.jpegIMG_3508.jpeg
100% successful with the kotohime but only about 60% on the tridents.

The only cuttings that failed to root were the Beni Chidori ones. They haven’t died but also didn’t root. I’ve now moved them from the pond basket to a a regular pot with a different soil to see if that helps.

I have also reloaded the box with more cuttings from my garden Katsura in soil as well as putting a few groblocks with a large shishigashira branch, Beni chidori cuttings, and a large Seiryu branch. It’s quite late in the season but don’t see the downside to giving it a try.

Not a bad yield for a little box in the garden:
IMG_3510.jpeg
 
Great thread this. eplov where did the box sit regards sun or was it kept in the shade. Oh and using the box method did you create any side holes in the general plastic purse you used.
 
Great thread this. eplov where did the box sit regards sun or was it kept in the shade. Oh and using the box method did you create any side holes in the general plastic purse you used.
Box was kept mostly in dappled shade.

The only holes are at the bottom of the inner plastic bin that is then placed into the bottom, creating a seal around the edges.
 
Cheers . Gonna give this a try next year , probably go the bag route and go from there .
 
Went to a Talk/Workshop for Mame Bonsais where Mark did a presentation about the bottle "Contraptions" and basically he was saying that it's all about the Humidity, Humidity, Humidity. The "contraption" itself creates a humid environment for the roots to grow into and thrive above and in the lower water chamber and then the bag or a sealed plastic box creates the humid atmosphere for the leafy part to live and thrive. Because Mame are so small he was also saying that they prefer to remain in this humid environment for some time even over 2 growing seasons to give them the best chance of survival/being happy.
Going to try some Hardwood next month after leaves have dropped
 
A few more cuttings have come out of the box over the last few weeks:
These two are off cuts from a larger tree I was reducing in height that I threw into one pot together 45 days go.
View attachment 614527View attachment 614528
This is a stalled air layer on an Arakawa maple that I cut off with callus and threw into a pond basket in the box 3 weeks ago and quickly put out roots.
View attachment 614529
I also had two small pots with cuttings. One with kotohime JM pencil thick ones and another with younger trident maple cuttings:
View attachment 614530View attachment 614531
100% successful with the kotohime but only about 60% on the tridents.

The only cuttings that failed to root were the Beni Chidori ones. They haven’t died but also didn’t root. I’ve now moved them from the pond basket to a a regular pot with a different soil to see if that helps.

I have also reloaded the box with more cuttings from my garden Katsura in soil as well as putting a few groblocks with a large shishigashira branch, Beni chidori cuttings, and a large Seiryu branch. It’s quite late in the season but don’t see the downside to giving it a try.

Not a bad yield for a little box in the garden:
View attachment 614537
Nice results. Do you have any ventilation holes in the lid? I couldn't see any, so I'm asking for clarification. Thanks
 
Nice results. Do you have any ventilation holes in the lid? I couldn't see any, so I'm asking for clarification. Thanks
I do not make any holes in the lid but I think there is some minimal airflow as when it snaps on, it doesn't really create a seal.

I just watched your video update on cuttings yesterday -- really interesting. Will try doing it that way too next year and compare.
 
I do not make any holes in the lid but I think there is some minimal airflow as when it snaps on, it doesn't really create a seal.

I just watched your video update on cuttings yesterday -- really interesting. Will try doing it that way too next year and compare.
Thanks for replying. I like your combo. I'm thinking I heard about similar system for hard to root cuttings, like ezo spruce. I will try this next spring. Thanks for watching my stuff.
 
Thanks for replying. I like your combo. I'm thinking I heard about similar system for hard to root cuttings, like ezo spruce. I will try this next spring. Thanks for watching my stuff.
Really enjoy your content and fortunately for me, you have a good number of Japanese Maple videos, which is all I watch. Thanks for putting it out, I'm sure it's a lot of work.
 
Went to a Talk/Workshop for Mame Bonsais where Mark did a presentation about the bottle "Contraptions" and basically he was saying that it's all about the Humidity, Humidity, Humidity. The "contraption" itself creates a humid environment for the roots to grow into and thrive above and in the lower water chamber and then the bag or a sealed plastic box creates the humid atmosphere for the leafy part to live and thrive. Because Mame are so small he was also saying that they prefer to remain in this humid environment for some time even over 2 growing seasons to give them the best chance of survival/being happy.
Going to try some Hardwood next month after leaves have dropped
Did mark say when the best time of year to do this is ?
 
Did mark say when the best time of year to do this is ?
From recollection he suggested you could do this at anytime, but all the basic normals apply. For example if like me you in the uk, atm you would plant into contraption, place inside the container and protect from frosts. If you have greenhouse then in there even better.
I’m going to try with some JM hardwood cuttings once the leaves have dropped, 20mm thick pieces about 80-100mm long
 
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