[Squizzy] Acer palmatum group

[squizzy]

Here is my first entry.

I take inspiration from and entry of buxus last year. I hope it is allowed?

Current height of trees is approx 800mm.

5 trees are worth $40.00

Squizz

[Steven]

Another photo needed Squizzy.

Your first post must contain the following;
• At least 2 photos of your chosen stock before any work commences.
• Species name (any species is allowed)
• Original height of stock (from top of pot to tip of tree)
• Where you obtained it from
• Cost of stock

[squizzy]

Additional info

Purchased at Plantmart wholesale nursery

Additional photo

P3110001.jpg

[squizzy]

Ok

The plan for this bunch of unsuspecting trees is for a bit of tough treatment. The key to success will be in my ability to propagate

I plant to air layer a few pieces of each tree and get around 13 individual trees to put into a group. I hope this is within the boundaries of the rules

I have attached a sketch for what I intend.

Acer palmatum group 001.jpg

Squizz

[squizzy]

These maples have lost there leaves and are sitting dormant waiting for me to take to them in spring. I am sure they are looking forward to that.

[maple]

Ok

The plan for this bunch of unsuspecting trees is for a bit of tough treatment. The key to success will be in my ability to propagate

I plant to air layer a few pieces of each tree and get around 13 individual trees to put into a group. I hope this is within the boundaries of the rules

I have attached a sketch for what I intend.

Acer palmatum group 001.jpg

Squizz

Hi Squizzy,
in your sketch you have the main tree dead centre. One of the guidelines of a group is to have the main tree 1/3 from the left or right allowing for an "uneven" triangle.
BTW, I envy your ability to sketch. It must help a lot to put ideas to paper.

[squizzy]

Hi Maple,

Thanks for the heads up. I have a lot to learn with group plantings.

Squizz

[maple]

If my main tree is planted to the left, I would plant my #2 tree to the left of that and the #3 to the right of the main tree. The #2 would always be the closest tree to #1 and the #3 the 2nd closest and work my triangle planting from there. A small gap "walkway" through the group is good too. Try to leave space (unplanted) at one end of the group as well, preferably the side with the smallest trees. Dont make the mistake of equal gaps between trees. Mix them up so it doesn't look like a plantation and another important factor is too keep the proportions right- the tallest tree should be the thickest down to the shortest, thinnest tree.
I used to like flicking through Kokufu albums and getting inspiration from them. There are plenty of groups created but you will find the really good ones have the same basic structure, whether 7 or 70 trees. I dont have the creative imagination but I can copy. The result is still OK.

[squizzy]

Ok here is the 5 trees within the pot. Not sure it's 100% accurate yet but it's not bad. As you can see one of them has an air layer on already but the others will get there's in a month or two.
Stay tuned

Squizz

[squizzy]

P9170053.jpg

Here is the group a few weeks on. signs are good

I am not seeing a great deal of growth above the air layer though

Squizz

[squizzy]

So I got a chance to check for roots today and as it turns out the was one reasonable one and a few smaller ones. Probably premature to severe but it's done. Se attached photos of what's hopefully the first successful layer.

Squizz

[squizzy]

[squizzy]

Can't seem to get these guys to kick on. A few have gone and three are left. I think the mix might be to open for palmatum? To be honest I was always asking a lot from this group.

[squizzy]

[squizzy]

Hi all,

This is the maple group which was probably my most ambitious entry this year. and it is evident in its progression however there are a few things that I could have changed to give myself a better chance.

The first thing and most obvious to me is the air filled porosity of this experimental mix is completely wrong for maples in my opinion. It consist of particle sizes mostly in the 4 to 5mm range and now smaller particles.

I have placed these trees in a shallow container as can be seen in the photos but the mix is extremely free draining. I feel the maples fine roots have been left to exposed in this mix which has prevented them form being in contact with moisture for periods throughout the day as well as providing little support for them to stay still enough to establish themselves again.

I think I will experiment with more fines in a mix for maples in the future.

Once again with these maples I started with trees that were unhealthy and I think that is a mistake in such a short competition.

P3310019.jpg

Squizz