Top reduction on newly repotted Cryptomeria?

[Jphipps]

Hey guys. I bought a large Cryptomeria Japonica "Black Dragon" from a nursery and just repotted it. It was slip potted by the nursery and 3/4 of the soil was pure heavy clay. Really nasty stuff. The outer 1/4 was loose potting soil. I was likely too aggressive on the repot but wanted to clear a lot of the clay out. I didn't remove it all and left a fair amount closer to the trunk.

The foliage is very healthy but there's certainly a big discrepancy between the amount of roots and the rest of the tree/foliage.

I've been doing a lot of research on Cryptomeria and it sounds like the strength of the tree is in the vascular tissue so I hope it recovers well. I'm very excited for the prospects of this tree.

Should I reduce the foliage mass on this tree to "balance it out"? I'm completely comfortable with leaving it to recover as is. Just want to know what the best course of action would be for the health of the tree.

Thanks!

 

[Jphipps]

To give you some scale, this tree is currently about 5 feet tall from the soil line.

 

[River's Edge]

Hey guys. I bought a large Cryptomeria Japonica "Black Dragon" from a nursery and just repotted it. It was slip potted by the nursery and 3/4 of the soil was pure heavy clay. Really nasty stuff. The outer 1/4 was loose potting soil. I was likely too aggressive on the repot but wanted to clear a lot of the clay out. I didn't remove it all and left a fair amount closer to the trunk.

The foliage is very healthy but there's certainly a big discrepancy between the amount of roots and the rest of the tree/foliage.

I've been doing a lot of research on Cryptomeria and it sounds like the strength of the tree is in the vascular tissue so I hope it recovers well. I'm very excited for the prospects of this tree.

Should I reduce the foliage mass on this tree to "balance it out"? I'm completely comfortable with leaving it to recover as is. Just want to know what the best course of action would be for the health of the tree.

Thanks!

Do not remove any foliage at this point, allow the tree to recover. Removing the foliage that produces energy for the tree through photosynthesis would just weaken the tree and lessen its chance of recovery.

 

[Jphipps]

Thanks Frank! You've been super helpful on my last 2 threads. I really appreciate it.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I agree with Frank here, one big insult per year. After that I would chop it back and jin some of the top. That will help compact it and giving a more aged look.

 

[Paulpash]

Remember to keep Cryptomeria nice and moist all the time. They love water.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

You're probably good on the roots, I barerooted one I was fed up with last year and it did just fine, sounds similar to yours, 15 gallon of clay

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

I agree with Frank here, one big insult per year. After that I would chop it back and jin some of the top. That will help compact it and giving a more aged look.

...Or air layer then chop and jin.

I’m on the same course with 2 crypto gems I found last week.

It seems they layer very readily, so I plan to take advantage of the excess material above the proposed jin. I’ve repotted this year and will chop next.

@Jphipps I’ll watch your progress here and compare notes. I’ll post my own progression thread in due time.

 

[Jphipps]

@Captain.Bonsai Any photos of yours?

There doesn't seem to be a lot of info/posts about cryptomeria on here. I'm also planning to do about 5 air layers coming off the very bottom of the trunk that you can't see in my photos. I'll likely try some off the top as well.
I'd prefer to not have to jin a lot at the top but I'll see what the ultimate design will allow when that time comes. I'm very excited for this tree and want to take my time and do things correctly.

Unfortunately this tree did not have a good flare at the root base once I exposed it. The nebari needs some work as there is an open area near in the front left of the small trunk.

If no new root growth appears there, is it possible to root graft cryptomeria?

Also attached is a photo with better lighting to get an idea of the twin trunk/mother-daughter concept.

 

[River's Edge]

@Captain.Bonsai Any photos of yours?

There doesn't seem to be a lot of info/posts about cryptomeria on here. I'm also planning to do about 5 air layers coming off the very bottom of the trunk that you can't see in my photos. I'll likely try some off the top as well.
I'd prefer to not have to jin a lot at the top but I'll see what the ultimate design will allow when that time comes. I'm very excited for this tree and want to take my time and do things correctly.

Unfortunately this tree did not have a good flare at the root base once I exposed it. The nebari needs some work as there is an open area near in the front left of the small trunk.

If no new root growth appears there, is it possible to root graft cryptomeria?

Also attached is a photo with better lighting to get an idea of the twin trunk/mother-daughter concept.

Cryptomeria graft readily. Use the same basic techniques as you would for Juniper. For branch grafting I prefer scions as opposed to approach grafting! For root grafts I would recommend starting some cuttings from the same tree well in advance. You sound very enthusiastic, perhaps obtain more trees so you are not tempted to do too much too soon

 

[Jphipps]

Thank you for the advice again Frank! I have about 20 trees to keep me busy thankfully. I did the repot this year and only cleaned out dead foliage to improve light penetration. I took your advice and left all living foliage alone.

I'm thinking the root grafting (if necessary) will be several years down the road. If the tree is still in good health next spring I'll do some initial styling and air layers. Figured I would use the air layers roots for grafts at the next repot around 2-4 years from now.

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

@Captain.Bonsai Any photos of yours?

There doesn't seem to be a lot of info/posts about cryptomeria on here. I'm also planning to do about 5 air layers coming off the very bottom of the trunk that you can't see in my photos. I'll likely try some off the top as well.
I'd prefer to not have to jin a lot at the top but I'll see what the ultimate design will allow when that time comes. I'm very excited for this tree and want to take my time and do things correctly.

Unfortunately this tree did not have a good flare at the root base once I exposed it. The nebari needs some work as there is an open area near in the front left of the small trunk.

If no new root growth appears there, is it possible to root graft cryptomeria?

Also attached is a photo with better lighting to get an idea of the twin trunk/mother-daughter concept.

I’ll start a new thread for the pics. In the meantime, here’s a couple links with crypto air layers. If you don’t like your roots, a ground layer could always be an option.

How to air layer cryptomeria for bonsai - Bonsai Tonight

I like cryptomeria bonsai a lot. Unperturbed by the warnings of how much work they can be, I've looked for a good specimen with little success for 10-15

bonsaitonight.com

Cryptomeria from air layer - Bonsai Tonight

I started an air layer last May on a cryptomeria shoot. I saw a few roots peeking through the plastic after a couple of months, but I didn't know how many

bonsaitonight.com

 

[River's Edge]

Thank you for the advice again Frank! I have about 20 trees to keep me busy thankfully. I did the repot this year and only cleaned out dead foliage to improve light penetration. I took your advice and left all living foliage alone.

I'm thinking the root grafting (if necessary) will be several years down the road. If the tree is still in good health next spring I'll do some initial styling and air layers. Figured I would use the air layers roots for grafts at the next repot around 2-4 years from now.

Do not consider using air layered branches for root grafts! Prepare cuttings for that purpose instead! That way you avoid the risk of internal rot on the air layered branches.

 

[Jphipps]

Interesting. I'll definitely follow this advice. I'm just not sure I'm following the internal rot aspect.