AusBonsai

HI, nothing special, but I thought I would document re-potting a Japanese Maple I bought as nursery stock into a grow box. If anyone has suggestions one what to do with the height of the tree, please feel free to jump in and offer advice. The pic with my finger pointed at branch I think may be where to trunk chop for new leader, but I am uncertain. Hope you like Wired onto bathroom tile with 1.5mm wire and 3mm vacuum hose from Repco (to stop wire biting in to roots). All downward roots have been removed to encourage lateral side roots. Thanks for reading/watching, your feedback is appreciated

Hi Luke
You are a brave man doing so much root work on a maple that has leafed out (and in October!). Keep us updated - am curious to see if it lives.

Tony

Bougy Fan wrote:Hi Luke
You are a brave man doing so much root work on a maple that has leafed out (and in October!). Keep us updated - am curious to see if it lives.

Tony

I have a maple similar but with alot fatter trunk and nebari, when is the best time to root prune/repot/and chop it back???
[Not in that chronological order or at once]

Like bougy, I reckon you are brave too, but if the aftercare is top notch you may be OK.
the spot you marked for the new leader IS ok but you might want to be lower still.

Hi Velvet, Normally as buds are beginning to swell at the end of winter. see this page about when we should do things https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... hould_I%3F

Ken

Thanks Ken.

Bougy Fan wrote:Hi Luke
You are a brave man doing so much root work on a maple that has leafed out (and in October!). Keep us updated - am curious to see if it lives.

Tony

I didn't think of that, I thought that if i did root pruning AND leaf pruning or heavy top pruning then it wouldn't like it.

it survives, I will keep you all posted

kcpoole wrote:Like bougy, I reckon you are brave too, but if the aftercare is top notch you may be OK.
the spot you marked for the new leader IS ok but you might want to be lower still.

Ken

Thanks Ken, when you say "top notch" aftercare, what exactly do you mean? I'm thinking keep in a shady spot, spray foliage regularly, and treat with seasol? Anything else you would suggest?

Thanks again,
Luke

btw keep your fingers crossed for me

Hi Luke
You could have worked on the top - but the roots should only be worked on as the buds start to emerge. That way it's sort of like waking up and doesn't mind root work but starts to recover right away. I use Seamungus on everything I repot and have had good results. It's sort of like Seasol every time you water. keep it in semi shade for a while and out of the wind

Tony

Thanks, I think I should invest in some seamungus. Could I apply it to the top of the soil in this instance or would that be a waste?

Hi Luke
That's fine - I always use it on top and then scrape it off and chuck it in the garden after it goes all dry and flaky. They do say you can put it in the mix but I don't bother.

Tony

Bougy Fan wrote:Hi Luke
That's fine - I always use it on top and then scrape it off and chuck it in the garden after it goes all dry and flaky. They do say you can put it in the mix but I don't bother.

Tony

Thanks for that, I was wondering how you could use as directed (1 cup in soil under roots per square metre every 6-8 weeks) without digging your tree up every 2 months

As for the maple in question, I have put seamungus in with it, and treated with seasol (both foliage and roots). I shall continue to spray twice a day until she looks strong and healthy again (she is wilting a little today)

kcpoole wrote:Like bougy, I reckon you are brave too, but if the aftercare is top notch you may be OK.
the spot you marked for the new leader IS ok but you might want to be lower still.

Hi Velvet, Normally as buds are beginning to swell at the end of winter. see this page about when we should do things https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... hould_I%3F

Ken

hi KC

just looking at the 'when to' calendar link above and can't seem to find anything on air layering . I have my eye on a local maple for air layering. Is there an outline on when to airlayer certain plants? Could this be a potential section for inclusion in the Wiki above?

Cheers and thanks for the advice.

Stew

Luke308 wrote:

kcpoole wrote:Like bougy, I reckon you are brave too, but if the aftercare is top notch you may be OK.
the spot you marked for the new leader IS ok but you might want to be lower still.

Ken

Thanks Ken, when you say "top notch" aftercare, what exactly do you mean? I'm thinking keep in a shady spot, spray foliage regularly, and treat with seasol? Anything else you would suggest?

Thanks again,
Luke

btw keep your fingers crossed for me

Yeah Water every second day with Seasol, Dappled shade or under shade cloth, protect from dry winds ( we have them in sydney now till the end of month), do not overwater as the minimal roots can get easily drowned so ensure the soil does not stay wet and is allowed to almost dry out between waters.
Ken

Stewart_Toowoomba wrote:

kcpoole wrote:Like bougy, I reckon you are brave too, but if the aftercare is top notch you may be OK.
the spot you marked for the new leader IS ok but you might want to be lower still.

Hi Velvet, Normally as buds are beginning to swell at the end of winter. see this page about when we should do things https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... hould_I%3F

Ken

hi KC

just looking at the 'when to' calendar link above and can't seem to find anything on air layering . I have my eye on a local maple for air layering. Is there an outline on when to airlayer certain plants? Could this be a potential section for inclusion in the Wiki above?

Cheers and thanks for the advice.

Stew

Airlayers can usually be applied any time of the year. Pines and hard to strike Juni can take a yer or more anyway so time does not really matter. The time you take them off does tho as the tree has to survive on it own roots then. The milder times of year are good to take them off tho.
A tree that takes 4-6 weeks to layer can be put on now ( Maples, Elms etc) and then take off late spring. This will give a few weeks to establish before the heat of summer.

Will add a note or 2 to the Wiki on Layering too

Ken