AusBonsai

Spring has arrived for this one Always the first to move...

Wow, that's got a lot more leaves on it than mine, considering it's so much warmer here... maybe the root prune I gave it held it back... will see what happens this time next year.

That's a beaut tree, Mike!

Great tree Mike. I'm trying to get one myself. Well done

Mike, I love your tree, wondering if you could give a short explanation on how you prune for ramification? I've been working mine all through the warmer months, attempting to get it to branch into twos, and only about half of the cuts have done this...when I tried again, this time leaving the cut internode longer, once again not a very good percentage have been successful. This latest try I've just removed some of the lower leaves and will let the branch lignify a little more before pruning... so it's fingers crossed here.

I just can't seem to find a reliable method!

Spring again! This year it's been repotted into a finer mix of red clay/sand and humus (2 to 3mm) in an effort to increase the fine branching even more.

melbrackstone wrote:Mike, I love your tree, wondering if you could give a short explanation on how you prune for ramification? I've been working mine all through the warmer months, attempting to get it to branch into twos, and only about half of the cuts have done this...when I tried again, this time leaving the cut internode longer, once again not a very good percentage have been successful. This latest try I've just removed some of the lower leaves and will let the branch lignify a little more before pruning... so it's fingers crossed here.

I just can't seem to find a reliable method!

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You should start by feeding heavily and then defoliating the strong branches when they have about 5 or 6 leaves. After defoliating those branches, prune back to 2 buds. They should both shoot away. If you continue to feed well you might be able to defoliate again in late summer. Let the weak branches grow and catch up to the strong ones. Don't use too coarse a mix. I think most people use don't use a fine enough mix for deciduous trees. Especially when they are developed.
My tree is a cutting from a tree with large fruit and so it has fairly coarse branching. If you have a seedling tree your ramifying will be easier and finer....eventually.
Don't expect fine ramification until you have a fine root system. That takes quite a few years. Repot every year for the first 20 years particularly if you use a small pot.

Thanks Mike. I will definitely try this out, and will repot after I've taken it to a Bonsai Boon workshop in two weeks time. Cheers.

When does yours flower? Ooopps, just saw your pic from Sept last year.