Shin-deshojo nursery stock
- Thread starter Mailo06
- Start date
RoadManDenDron
Chumono
hello fellow UK member!
So my first step is to assess the base of the trunk and look for signs of a graft, most of the nursery acers tend to be grafted.
If its not grafted or you are happy with the graft the next step is getting the trunk to a size you want for the first section of trunk in your finished design.
If you could post a close up pic of the base of the trunk in the pot we can help you with these questions.
If it is grafted and you are not happy with the graft I would put the tree in the ground to allow maximum growth, developing individual branches into bonsai trees as they thicken up and then air layering them off, this also gives good radial roots.
There is an optional stage if you plan to do further work on the tree that I tend to let newly purchased material be for the first year so I can observe its growth and needs and allow it to adapt to my environment.
So my first step is to assess the base of the trunk and look for signs of a graft, most of the nursery acers tend to be grafted.
If its not grafted or you are happy with the graft the next step is getting the trunk to a size you want for the first section of trunk in your finished design.
If you could post a close up pic of the base of the trunk in the pot we can help you with these questions.
If it is grafted and you are not happy with the graft I would put the tree in the ground to allow maximum growth, developing individual branches into bonsai trees as they thicken up and then air layering them off, this also gives good radial roots.
There is an optional stage if you plan to do further work on the tree that I tend to let newly purchased material be for the first year so I can observe its growth and needs and allow it to adapt to my environment.
Gabler
Masterpiece
I wouldn't call that optional. In fact, I'd call that a mandatory first step. Just watch the tree for the rest of the year to better understand how it grows. If you happen to have ordered a dozen deshojo maples, and you want to get started on some of them, go for it. I'm guessing, however, this is your only deshojo maple. Don't push it too hard to fast, or you might need to start over with a new one.
Next spring, assuming the tree is healthy, take a few air layers from the upper branches of the tree. Keep them protected the following winter, and then let them grow the following few years to thicken them up some more. You can grow them in the ground (faster but rougher) or in large training pots (slower but more refined). Every odd year, chop back the top of the tree to gradually develop taper. There's lots of resources on the optimal technique for this. Every even year, work on the roots. Look into the "Ebihara technique" for root development if you're feeling ambitious. When you're satisfied with the trunk and roots, move the air layers into bonsai pots and begin refining them. That's when you'll really start messing with them frequently, as you pinch out new growth to promote ramification.
