Mr. Monday
Seedling
I'm planning to start one from a cutting rather than seed. Would I graft the cuttings?We’ll, it’s good that you know what you like and why. To get a twin trunk, you need two trunks, or to combine two teees, or graft. If you’re starting from seed, cut down the first shoot down to 2 nodes, and let them both grow to form 2 trunks, wire the trunks for movement (carefully, they’re brittle) in year one, and in year two, start to let them grow wild.
You can get a large ume trunk in 10-12 years, while doing your 100s of hours of research to stay a step ahead. This one is 10 years old from seed and is about 3” in diameter and chopped down to 10” tall. I’ve done multiple chops which have slowed down the trunk thickening, but has resulted in a lot of trunk movement and taper. As you know, having an interesting trunk will be better than simply a big one.
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Wow it would be that cheap? I was thinking north of $10k based on what I've seen. I guess I'm into unhealthy trees then. I wasn't planning to purchase a mature tree, at first I was thinking seeds, now I'm thinking cuttings. I'm just trying to figure out the twin trunk and basic care before I purchase a cutting. But I will join BSSF asap thanks for looking out.As pointed out by Brian, the tree you've fallen in love with is in decline. It has weak growth and sparse flowers at the ends of long branches. Those are signs the tree is weakening and needs some rest and recuperation IN THE GROUND. Some trees need that after a long period in a container. The trees Brian posted are of trees that are of better quality and in better condition than the one you like. They would be better investments...just sayin'.
Joining a club is great, but don't you think that joining the club BEFORE you make such an investment might be a better idea? Clubs are a knowledgeable resource. Some members might even know where to find such stratospheric material (an Ume of the quality you're looking at is going to be north of $2,000 if you can locate it--importing one from Japan is probably the best way to get one of that quality. If you want to go that route, there are companies that can help you).
FWI, expect some eyerolls from people if you roll up to a club with a newly-purchased $2,000-$5,000 tree for them to help you with. They have definitely seen it before and have seen where it leads...
It's a bit delusional thinking that "thousands of hours" of reading books is the same as actually doing bonsai. FWI, more than a few bonsaiists are, or have been, aquarium enthusiasts. I'm one of those --had reef tanks for years and gave them up for bonsai. Let me say that bonsai isn't an aquarium... It tends to be a lot less technical and a lot more intuitive, artistically and horticulturally.