Acer j 'Aconitifolum' as Bonsai

[Fred]

Hi Folks

I am having great difficulty finding ordinary Acer palmatum plants. The majority of maples here are grafted. The grafts are so bad that you could never make a descent tree with them.

Also Acer circinatum x palmatum seems to be hard to find.

However I have been offered an Acer j. 'Aconitifolum plant. I know they are a semi-dwarf but their leaves are bigger than Acer palmatum.

How suitable is Aconitifolum for bonsai? Is their leaf size a problem? Any other issues you can think of?

Fred

[GavinG]

Aconitifolium will always have larger leaves than palmatum, but it can be OK in a larger tree. I know most of the special forms are grafted, but the usual palmatum species is usually seed grown here. If you are desperate, you can buy a grafted special form and layer branches off it, but be aware that some of the special forms aren't as strong on their own roots.

Gavin

[MattA]

Hey Fred,
I have an Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' & 'Vitifolium', leaf size is a factor, not only are they larger but they also do not reduce to the same extent that is possible with A.palmatum. Another thing is a very coarse branch structure, 'Vitifolium' a little better than 'Aconitifolium', if your going to use them as bonsai aim for a larger tree with a loose structure.
I get good colour from both trees, yours can only be better for the extra cold
Matt

[Guy]

create your own supply---get access to a grafted maple -strike a piece or ten or thirty from cuttings--from this source I have enough to start several groups or forests--just do it

[Fred]

Hi Gavin, Matt & Gut

Thanks for your replies.

Matt - I intend to have a tree about 400-500mm high. Would it be possible to post some pics of your Aconitifolium and Vitifolium?

Fred

[MattA]

Hey Fred,
I knew you would ask that Both are in the ground growing out but I will try & get a clear pic of them for you... This is the 'Aconitifolium when first acquired, about 1m tal in the pic. I picked up a couple of palmatum at the same time, all had been neglected at the back of a nursery for 20yrs, the palmatums & "Vitifolium' had leaves of about half normal size, the 'Aconitifolium' leaves had reduced almost nothing.

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[MattA]

Ok heres the 'Aconitifolium', it stands approx 110cm.

100_5401rz.jpg

The 'Vitifolium' stands approx 90cm with an overall trunk length of 110cm. Another 60cm not shown will be layered off the top for a garden tree, I have also been thinking about layering off the left trunk/branch but not sure if either would work without the other. What do you think?

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[GavinG]

Guy, what's your trick with maple cuttings? I've never had any real success with them.

Gavin