A GEM OF A JAPANESE MAPLE

MelaQuin · Post by **MelaQuin** » September 11th, 2015, 3:34 pm

How many times have we gone plant shopping, found something that looked great, got home and worked on it only to end up disappointed. Happens all the time. But not this time.

Took a run to Bonsai South for some wire and snooped around the greenery with nothing in mind. Saw an acer palmatum that caught my fancy. I have wanted a Japanese maple ever since I recently discovered that 15 years of bonsaiiing means I can now bend their branches without immediately snapping them off. Surely a good step forward. Gave the maple a second and third look and then brought it home.

An afternoon of cutting and wiring, repotting into a training tray and this tree pleases immensely. The lower right branch has been guyed lower than its final position so when the wires are removed and it relaxes it will be better positioned. The right trunk may or may not be removed - all depends how the fine branch at the top of the stub develops. Over all... the tree is well on its way in Stage One.

IMG_2243.jpg

IMG_2245.jpg

Jarad · Post by **Jarad** » September 11th, 2015, 3:48 pm

Nice Find!
I don't like extremely aggressive bends in the trees, I prefer bends like this one has.

If the second trunk develops, will you be removing the first right branch?

I still can't fathom how you can grab a tree and just cut it down so much so quickly. I buy a new tree, I sit and stare at it. I turn it. Stare a little more. Turn it. Stare. Clip. Swear. And then come back the next day.

Elmar · Post by **Elmar** » September 11th, 2015, 5:22 pm

Jarad wrote:... I buy a new tree, I sit and stare at it. I turn it. Stare a little more. Turn it. Stare. Clip. Swear. And then come back the next day.

Tears running down my face! Because I'm crying because I know what your going thru!

Except, now, thanks to some..., I've introduced a Whisky; neat.

Cheers
Elmar

MelaQuin · Post by **MelaQuin** » September 11th, 2015, 5:55 pm

Jarad, I've been heavily involved in bonsai for 15 years. I have a core collection and trees I work on and move on so I am working with a lot of trees. Also, I attend workshops and demonstrations and all this helps me see into the tree so see the bonsai. When you start in bonsai you can see the trees development weeks ahead. Then months ahead. I can now see years ahead and I have a good idea where the tree is going and the growth habits of the tree I am working on. All these things help me to look at a tree and see what I want to do with it. Keep at the hobby and you will develop as well. And take it from me... it only gets better the longer you are doing bonsai.

My recreational drug of choice is bonsai... and sometimes I am even a dealer......

treeman · Post by **treeman** » September 11th, 2015, 6:19 pm

Jarad wrote:

I still can't fathom how you can grab a tree and just cut it down so much so quickly. I buy a new tree, I sit and stare at it. I turn it. Stare a little more. Turn it. Stare. Clip. Swear. And then come back the next day

Jarad · Post by **Jarad** » September 18th, 2015, 1:02 pm

Whisky definitely helps! But I find that if that if I'm drinking while working on a tree, I accidentally stay up late... Really late...

I also need a lot more trees...

cre8ivbonsai · Post by **cre8ivbonsai** » September 18th, 2015, 1:10 pm

Jarad wrote:Whisky definitely helps! But I find that if that if I'm drinking while working on a tree, I accidentally stay up late... Really late...

I also need a lot more trees...

That would require a lot more whiskey

Mel, are you going to shorten both branches once this season's growth starts up?

I'd remove the small trunk regardless, too straight

not my tree though

paulpash · Post by **paulpash** » December 4th, 2015, 7:51 am

The 2 branches you've left would benefit from being cut back and grown on. Both are fairly uniform in thickness and it's hard to get movement (especially in the thicker one)

fredman · Post by **fredman** » December 4th, 2015, 10:04 am

What style or form are you intending for it?

AusBonsai