Twisted Taiwan Maple first styling

[Ces]

Hey Guys,

Picked up a couple of pre-bonsai from Padre Pio's in Sydney a few weeks ago (great nursery and guy) and this little Taiwan Maple was the smallest. Had a play with a few different planting angles and possible fronts. I thought there were a number of options but I ended up going for the style that is least represented (meaning none) in my collection: Semi-cascade. I also chose a pot that I have not considered for any tree previously. I'm just not a big fan of this type of pot but I think it works OK with this combination.

The tree as purchased.

As purchased 1 july 2013.jpg

As purchased 3 july 2013.jpg

This is how i chose to style it and the new planting angle.

Front 10 July 2013.jpg

AND into its pot.

Front 22 july 2013.jpg

I couldn't quite get the front I wanted this time 'round because of a big root at the back but its pretty close. The first left branch could stay or go depending on what I can do with it in terms of styling next winter.

It's got a long way to go but I'm pretty happy with it at this stage of development. I will be using this tree to trial Walter Pall's "hedge-cutting method" for developing deciduous trees.

Anyway guys, Let me know what you think. Any ideas, critiques and suggestions welcome.

Cheers,

Ces.

[Jason]

Love the pot with it, but something just doesn't seem right about the angle.... or something along those lines. Can't put my finger on it.... probably as am still learning myself but do like where you are going with this

[Andrew F]

I like the movement you have put into this tree, its lovely regardless of pot and planting angle.

[Dario]

Hi Ces, I am a big fan of semi cascades
I would not have gone with that pot myself, but that is a personal choice and as long as you like it.
I like this tree. It is hard to tell from the pic but my preference is to have the tree going to the back more before it comes forwards...ie rotate it anti clockwise some. More importantly for me I would tilt it backwards a bit too...ie raise the front of the pot as it seems to be coming forward a lot.
I would also cut the top and regrow a new apex (you can get the forward movement you are after from a new apex) .
Ces, that is just my opinion and personal preference , not a criticism.
Good work mate.
Cheers, Dario.

[Ces]

Love the pot with it, but something just doesn't seem right about the angle.... or something along those lines. Can't put my finger on it.... probably as am still learning myself but do like where you are going with this

Thanks Jason. I have to agree with you. the more I look at the pictures the more I would like to move it. Just not ENTIRELY sure which way yet. probably seating it back into the pot a bit more towards upwards arc of the crescent as a start. I have that "tip of the tongue/cant place my finger on it" feeling as well.

I like the movement you have put into this tree, its lovely regardless of pot and planting angle.

Cheers mate. While it does have a few things that bother me that others have also pointed out, I'm happy in thinking that I may be able to make something reasonably nice out of it in a few years.

Hi Ces, I am a big fan of semi cascades
I would not have gone with that pot myself, but that is a personal choice and as long as you like it.
I like this tree. It is hard to tell from the pic but my preference is to have the tree going to the back more before it comes forwards...ie rotate it anti clockwise some. More importantly for me I would tilt it backwards a bit too...ie raise the front of the pot as it seems to be coming forward a lot.
I would also cut the top and regrow a new apex (you can get the forward movement you are after from a new apex) .
Ces, that is just my opinion and personal preference , not a criticism.
Good work mate.
Cheers, Dario.

No worries mate. I appreciate the advice. The forward movement is exaggerated in the photo due to my poor photography skills in complete manual mode. However the operative word is 'exaggerated', as it it no doubt has too much forward movement. I'm going to give it one growing season, as this is the only tree of this species that I have... learn a little about how it grows... and then I'll really take into consideration your Apex/chop-chop idea

Thanks again for the advice guys.

Cheers,

Ces.

[Ces]

I've had trouble keeping the substrate in the pot with this one so I thought I'd try some moss to keep it in there. Haven't placed moss on any of my trees before but I thought it looked nice so I took some photos.

Thought I'd put them up as I think they better represent the tree in the bark and really shows the extent of my planting angle problem. I'll get it next time

If you've got more suggestions after seeing these I would love further advice on how to develop this little tree.

A shot with the pot square on

Moss 1 25 july 2013.jpg

My preferred angle at the moment

Moss 2 25 july 2013.jpg

the extent of the problem

right side 25 july 2013.jpg

top 25 july 2013.jpg

and a macro moss shot with my new camera for fun (still working on it).

Macro Moss 1 25 july 2013.jpg

Thanks guys.

Cheers.

Ces.

[Rory]

I actually think this would look stunning in years to come... if you took off the first heavy branch, as it is way too thick for this lovely trunk, and just keep growing and cutting, growing and cutting the leader over time, so that you thicken the trunk more before getting any branching and do not go with branching coming off this section of the trunk at all. Primarily when you have beautiful bends like this, it looks bad (in my opinion), if you have multiple trunks coming off which detract from such a wonderful trunk, and perhaps look at doing more of a semi literati over the years. I assure you it would be a very focal bonsai in your collection if you went this avenue.... but again like others say, just my

But for the sake of sheer beauty, please consider my humble recommendations above

[Ces]

I actually think this would look stunning in years to come... if you took off the first heavy branch, as it is way too thick for this lovely trunk, and just keep growing and cutting, growing and cutting the leader over time, so that you thicken the trunk more before getting any branching and do not go with branching coming off this section of the trunk at all. Primarily when you have beautiful bends like this, it looks bad (in my opinion), if you have multiple trunks coming off which detract from such a wonderful trunk, and perhaps look at doing more of a semi literati over the years. I assure you it would be a very focal bonsai in your collection if you went this avenue.... but again like others say, just my

But for the sake of sheer beauty, please consider my humble recommendations above

Hey Buddyman,

Sorry I just saw this. You could be right. Its the only one of this species I have in the collection, so I'm going to get to know it before I set it back a few years. I have considered it though.

Speaking of which... The tree is leafing out nicely but it is putting out quite a few flowers. My instinct is to cut them off to encourage vegetative and root growth but I have question before I do. Some of the flower complexs have emerged with a pair of leaves behind them, most have not. Is it ok to remove the flowers where there are no leaves to support the new growth?

Also, I was told that even though they are related to tridents, they are much slower growing. does this mean you should treat taiwan maples the same as japanese maples in terms of pruning?

Thanks for the help guys.

Cheers,

Ces.

[Ces]

so I went ahead and pruned off the flowers but I'm still unsure as to how to treat this species in order to develop ramification.

Can anyone tell me whether I can be fairly aggressive with it like a trident or should I only expect one new flush a season after the first spring prune, like a japanese maple?

Appreciate any help with this guys.

Cheers,

Ces.

[PAUL2229]

I found this thread where someone has cut back a Taiwan maple with success. ive got a few Taiwan maples too so keep us posted on your progress

viewtopic.php?f=104&t=7221

[Gerard]

Moss%202%2025%20july%202013.jpg

in the future you might consider removing the "heavy first branch' (red option)
but I like the option of removing the apex and keeping the first branch (yellow option) but you have lots of time to consider many options.

[Ces]

Moss%202%2025%20july%202013.jpg

in the future you might consider removing the "heavy first branch' (red option)
but I like the option of removing the apex and keeping the first branch (yellow option) but you have lots of time to consider many options.

Hey Gerard,

I gave it a haircut I think you'll like....

Before 15th november 2014.jpg

After 15th november 2014.jpg

the scar 15th november 2014.jpg

Other side 15th november 2014.jpg

Pretty happy with the new look. I will move the base back closer to the high side of the crescent at the next repot.

Next move for this little tree is mid-summer full defoliation (except the new apex) and continue to ramify.

Let me know what you think guys.

Cheers,

Ces.

[gerald randall]

Nice! Still a bit of work, but

[Boics]

Looks great Ces.
Couple of really nice viewing angles too!

[GavinG]

New angle has everything, for me. Well sorted. It might end up in a smaller pot one day.

Gavin