This weekend I visited a tree nursery where the owner is specialized in rather exceptional trees. A prunus mume was on my wish list for quite a few time. I found this vigorous mume beni-chi-dori for 50$, which has served there for quite a few years as mother tree. I was rather attracted to the movement and taper at the base of the tree, which promises a nice bonsai tree - after some hard work.
My first step would be to to an urgent uppot, since the tree is so high that it tends to fall over, causing a rsik of damaging the tree. That was also the advice of the former owner.
This one doesnt look to bad, you even have a cute little branch on the side you could keep. It has a nice shape!
You surely will make it a pretty Tree!
I am only a Landscapegardener so all the Questions I answered to you from the perspective/Experience of one!
- how old would this tree be? --------- The Tree looks to be around 11-14 years, as they dont grow that fast
- any suggestions on ideal soil composition? -------------- It doesnt have any specific requirements for soil, regular soil is fine. I dont know much about Bonsai soils sadly
- can u guys distinguish a graft ? -------------- I dont see a graft on it, unless that weirdly shaped taper all the way at the bottom is the graft, even so, it is well hidden!
- is it now a good time to try to take cuttings? What would be the correct way to handle that? ---------------- good time would be autumn/early spring, when you are sure there is no frost. Would avoid cuting it in the middle of Summer, it wont heal well.
- where would you make the trunk chop? What would be a good time to execute this chop? ----------- The red lines you showed dont look to bad for the Start, keep in mind, they grow pretty slow, so it might take a while to see some big overallchanges in aperance!
- any suggestions for future styling? ---------- Thats pretty much the only thing I cant answer hahaha, but I would just repot, cut, and see what the Tree does!