Japanese Maple, progression of a beginner

[bonsai_beginner]

Thanks shibui


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[bonsai_beginner]

This is the part I'm struggling to grasp, and I'm sorry to anyone who this annoys.

I have lots of branches like this:
with a stem and individual leaves coming off it like normal:


However I want them to ramify at the leaves, to creat beaches here and there


I'm really lost on the idea of this and how to go about it. Some of my readings say removing the leaves will lead to new buds bursting there and creating new shoots.

I just don't really know what to do


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[dansai]

The little stem between the leaf blade and the branch is called a petiole and is actually part of the lead. New shoots will emerge from the place where the petiole meets the stem. If you look really closely you will see a tiny bud there. When you trim back to a pair of leaves you trim to just above where the petioles emerge from the stem and new shoots will grow from these buds. Maples have what is called opposite leaves. This means leaves will form in pairs on either side of the stem. Other trees have alternate leaves which means you get one on one side and then a little higher up you get a leaf on the other. Figs are one example. Some also have leaves in whorls, or in the case of pines, you get buds in whorls below the main centre candle. A little reading into basic botany may help you understand some of these concepts that will help you with your bonsai.

Good luck, and never be afraid to ask questions. Many people on here are happy to help, even with questions that may be simple.

[bonsai_beginner]

Thanks dansai !!

Very helpful. I think I just need to do more reading and hopefully find a few good videos to watch as well

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[dansai]

A great book I can't reccomend highly enough is Botany for Gardeners Revised Edition by Brian Capon. Awesome little book with great basic info on plant parts and how they grow.

[dansai]

An image from the book that illustrates the above. Sorry for any copyright breach.

The axillary bud is where the new shoot will come from. Japanese maples are most like the image on the top left.

IMG_4301.jpg

[bonsai_beginner]

Thank you dansai!
So the ramification comes from these axillary buds creating new shoots


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[dansai]

Yep. When you trim it forces the tree to develop these buds. If you leave it, some will grow when the stem grows far enough to stop suppressing it with hormones produced it the tips. Some trees have stronger levels of the hormone that suppresses the axillary buds and will grow tall. Others have less and will branch more. Shrubs have even less and so will produce many stems. The book I recommended has simple explanations of all this and much more. Track it down and get a hold of it. It will help you a lot.

[bonsai_beginner]

Thanks dansai
Seriously you've been an immense help!
I'll definitely track down that book


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