Sharps Pygmy project

Scrogdor

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This is actually my last purchase 😂. Just a nursery stock one and seems appropriate for my lighting conditions. There is a graft but the union is smooth and I could always air layer it. Was hoping to get some help with the choosing of the front. Think I’m leaning towards 1 or 2. Have some better branch angles and some decent new leaders to crest some movement with.
 

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Scrogdor

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Some rough Ideas here. 1/2 Shape into a twin trunk or informal upright. 3/4 into informal brooms.
 

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BrianBay9

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I think any of them could work for a broom style. Are you planning to grow a bigger trunk?
 

Scrogdor

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I think any of them could work for a broom style. Are you planning to grow a bigger trunk?
Yeah I'd like it to get a little more girth, it's about a 1 inch width right now. Is it better to let it grow on the graft for this purpose until it's ready?
 

John P.

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What Brian said, or get a start on the new roots sooner and air layer this spring.
 

Scrogdor

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I would let it grow as is, then ground layer once you have the trunk size you want.

I know Sharp's Pygmy maple grows slowly, when you say grow as is, is it better to avoid any major branch reduction and just let this grow wild for a while? Or were you just referring to not ground layering it until it's thickened up? I haven't fully decided on anything still brainstorming but for number 3 maybe something like this. I feel like there is almost too many options for this tree lol.
 

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Scrogdor

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Now that I’ve had a chance to stare at this for a year. Wondering if a high air layer into a two trunk tree would work.
 

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BrightsideB

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I have some nursery stock similar to yours. I did about 10 layers to each last spring. Going to do another 10 this spring. They can make nice shohin or forests. It’s something to think about before you remove a lot of material. But not everyone wants to prolong the development of their primary material. I think if you want to just start developing it doesn’t hurt to do some pruning and wiring then layer the trunk in spring. If it is your first attempt layering. I think it would be wise to practice on some branches you don’t want on your future bonsai tree. I find these dwarf cultivars are harder because the dense branching. It is a little tricky to get your cuts nice and then getting your container in between all those branches.
 

Scrogdor

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Where would be a good place to make the air layer/ root base for a twin/multi trunk on this?
 

Paradox

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Where would be a good place to make the air layer/ root base for a twin/multi trunk on this?

Left most branch on the picture you posted above because the two branches for the new trunks are not the same size.

Speaking of which. Id recommend cutting back further than you have pictured there anyway because it will build better taper than your proposed cuts
 

Scrogdor

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Left most branch on the picture you posted above because the two branches for the new trunks are not the same size.

Speaking of which. Id recommend cutting back further than you have pictured there anyway because it will build better taper than your proposed cuts
What do you mean? Was thinking I’d layer here and maybe change the angle slightly. I’d want one dominant trunk correct?
 

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Scrogdor

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Was at the Oakland bonsai garden and took some pictures of this for inspiration. Long way off but maybe a smaller version of this is possible. Up potting it again this year for some more thickening.

My question is: Should I cut back all the side trunks now? Or let them continue to grow for maximum trunk thickening? I know I need to leave that middle trunk untouched for thickening. My main concern is developing inverse taper around that junction that can’t be fixed by air layer root base later.
 

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BobbyLane

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What do you mean? Was thinking I’d layer here and maybe change the angle slightly. I’d want one dominant trunk correct?
yes that looks like a good location to carry out the layer. in regards to last question, I would do the layer and leave mostly everything intact until after the tree has new roots. Mach has quite a few threads on layers/clumps etc, i would check them out and get some ideas going forwards.
 
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