Neighbour's Japanese Maple - Cuttings

[BonsaiBobbie]

Thanks Phil!

At the moment, I'm learning when they wobble they are dead!

[TimS]

I’d avoid cuts at the top - you lose moisture.

I’ve seldom had success taking multiple cuts off the same branch.

I haven’t tried jm for years but recently got my hands on shishagashira and kiyohime I’m keen to try on.

There’s videos online saying mix of coir peat and perlite works.

Maybe cover with a bag too to increase humidity?

I have heard Shishi roots from cutting okay though I’ve never had success myself. Air layer is much quicker and easier so if that option is available I’ll always go with it

[KineticBonsai]

I had decent success last year with common Japanese Maple and Deshojo. Took cuttings from new growth in late spring. Keep at it and you’ll work out the best time/method. I found heel cuttings worked well.

[BonsaiBobbie]

Well, as expected, the summer cuttings didn't make it. Good news, it's winter so I'm trying again, cuttings from Sunday as below, using a mix of rooting powder and the red gel ... not sure if I've left too many branches and buds on? Keen for any guidance if I should trim back further?

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- Daniel

Daniel how are hardwood cuttings going?

My summer cuttings are down to one after a winter repot.

Interestingly the one I thought was least likely to survive has. Ho hum. At least it is one. Combined with the seedlings I should have a good 15 to 20 JM plants on the way.

Better it looks like my hard wood cuttings are striking.

Approach for me was mix of sand, peat moss, perlite. Leave in shade for awhile. Move to morning sun on concrete and keep mist up.

Still away to go though.

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[legoman_iac]

Great timing, I have a few starting to burst into leaf ... they have such a strong poker face, been watching for weeks without a hint of success and now have at least three that look like they'll work! Will grab some pics tomorrow if I can, buds still tiny.

Congrats on the one cutting and seedlings!!!

[BonsaiBobbie]

I probably spoke too soon on the one summer cutting. Something has gotten to it and it isn’t looking so good!!!

Re my hardwood cuttings, I just remembered I also mixed up how I treated the bottom cutting (ie stripping back the cadmium on the larger ones). I did that on half. But I didn’t record which was put where. Will have to check that out once I know what has and hasn’t rooted successfully.

[BonsaiBobbie]

Great timing, I have a few starting to burst into leaf ... they have such a strong poker face, been watching for weeks without a hint of success and now have at least three that look like they'll work! Will grab some pics tomorrow if I can, buds still tiny.

Congrats on the one cutting and seedlings!!!

That is great.

Look forward to seeing how yours are going and comparing.

[legoman_iac]

Pic below of the main group, many buds look like they're red and swelling up. The two close ups at the bottom were the best I could photograph.

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[BonsaiBobbie]

Looking the goods

[legoman_iac]

Quick photo update, an seeing 5 cuttings with leaves now ...

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[legoman_iac]

Today's update ... while I removed some obvious dead sticks, the rest are powering on nicely! I't interesting to see some parts die back, others power on.

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[BonsaiBobbie]

Well done.

Mine all died. Some had grown well and I had a assumed they had rooted. But then they died back.

I think part of my challenge is I kept moving them. Need to stop that next time.

[legoman_iac]

Sorry to hear it Bobbie ... I too moved nine around but have left them where they are for a few months now, morning to mid day sun, then shade all afternoon, guess it helped.

[legoman_iac]

Quick update ... was "repotting bonsai bonanza" here on the weekend, and to my surprise I found these all rooted fairly well, now to go out and take some more cuttings from my neighbours tree!!!

I am seeing some form of symmertry between branches/leaves above ground and roots below. Or am I imagining things?

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Curious to note, some branches did look dead but have buds on them, that might open up! Some strange beasts these zombie branches!

- Daniel

[shibui]

I am seeing some form of symmertry between branches/leaves above ground and roots below. Or am I imagining things?

I've often noted that roots seem to reflect branches above.
Larger branches feed nutrients back to the roots below them so those roots grow more and feed the branch above better so it grows more. And the cycle continues.
I've also noted that tridents with tall, upright branches also tend to have deeper, vertical roots. Spreading branches are often reflected in spreading lateral roots below.