A pygmy for a present

MJL · Post by **MJL** » May 19th, 2020, 5:10 pm

It was my birthday recently and as a present to myself, I purchased this little Acer palmatum Sharp's Pygmy.

For me - this is a little step to improving my collection. One little tree - a little step. I love the shape and it is a tree I hope to refine over time... I like the bones and indeed, most everything about it. It is a different design to many maples I see; I like that too.

Its future is about refinement and further ramification. Indeed, to the sharp eye, I snipped a little branch off between photo's 2 and 3.

I need to trim quite a bit more soon and a repot too.

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Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » May 19th, 2020, 5:24 pm

that's a nice little maple . How you go with the summer heat on some of these dwarf forms . I like it

nathan987 · Post by **nathan987** » May 19th, 2020, 5:27 pm

MJL, what a great present!

I really like the second aspect/image and the graceful and natural way that the branches rise up from the trunk.

A fantastic way to leap ahead a few steps in terms of tree development.

Keep us posted, as this will be a great project to watch.

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TimS · Post by **TimS** » May 19th, 2020, 5:37 pm

A wonderful present to yourself Mark.

Don't kid yourself though, you have some excellent material coming down the pipeline too that will start to come into their own over the coming years.

I think the less is more of this tree is its best feature. It's easy to get into the mindset of "more branches = better tree" but the simplicity of this gives it it's merit in my opinion. The simplicity is even giving it that air of age now, the 'quiet dignity' if i can phrase it such without sounding like a w****r that mature japanese maples exude.

Sharps Pygmy is a bit of an uncommon cultivar even just as a specimen plant in aus, so a bonsai one is even more uncommon. I'm sure this little guy will give you lots of satisfaction as you both grow on together.

juan73870 · Post by **juan73870** » May 19th, 2020, 7:15 pm

I really like it, hey. That would be a tree that I'd be very happy to own, so a bit jealous over here...

Can't wait to see it progress.

SquatJar · Post by **SquatJar** » May 19th, 2020, 7:55 pm

love it and didnt realise we had sharps pygmy bonsai of this age available. I'd love to add one to the collection one day

MJL · Post by **MJL** » May 19th, 2020, 9:48 pm

Cheers for the positive feedback everyone.

@Matthew - on hot summers in Melbourne. Currently I have an ideal setting for my Japanese maple forests .. under the dappled light of a Chinese elm in my courtyard. They are protected from direct sun and hot wind. They seem to like this environment and I think this little 'pyg' would flourish in that environment too but... the tree is coming down this winter

- council permit pending. Yep, for a range of reasons the big Elm needs to go. It's a great shame... none the least for the bonsai in my courtyard!!

Still - time for a shade house and an upgrade in how I care for my bonsai. Hopefully, I will build a fit for purpose shade-house to protect my trees. If money or time doesn't allow it this year ... a few of my trees may holiday at step-dad's where the daily care is unparalleled. He is retired and loves bonsai too.

@SquatJar - yes they are hard to come by. I don't think there are many around and I am certainly grateful for the opportunity to purchase it; very fortunate indeed.This tree is around 20 years old, I believe.

DangerousDave · Post by **DangerousDave** » May 19th, 2020, 10:52 pm

Mental note... MJL = excellent gift-giver

MJL · Post by **MJL** » October 10th, 2020, 8:52 am

Mike's recent post "Spring maples" got me thinking about the little tree I extracted from his collection.

So... so the tree to date all his work and now I look after it! (There's pressure!) Anyway - it's lovely, quite slow to leaf out compared to my other maples but that may have to do with the late Autumn re-pot that was needed/advised. I find the bark quite beautiful too.

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In the third photo you'll see some wire ... I am making room for future finer branches that are visible; at least that is my current thought.

TimS · Post by **TimS** » October 10th, 2020, 8:55 am

Watch that wire like a hawk mate, it feels like overnight wire can go from fine to biting in on JM!

Lovely little tree and will only get better with careful control of the shoot extension.

Daluke · Post by **Daluke** » July 24th, 2021, 10:24 pm

Got an update on this?

MJL · Post by **MJL** » July 25th, 2021, 6:21 am

That’s spooky Daluke - I was just tidying it up yesterday - and then - your post!! It now lives at my step dad’s as I have lost my shade after cutting a large tree down. It’s a very slow grower and has not changed much. Still a lovely little tree but I do not have an updated photo.

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TimS · Post by **TimS** » July 25th, 2021, 7:35 am

Would you be able to have it at your place Autumn to Spring and then keep it at your step father’s for summer (lockdowns pending of course). Seems a shame to not get to enjoy looking at this tree!

Daluke · Post by **Daluke** » July 25th, 2021, 10:50 am

Damn.

MJL · Post by **MJL** » July 25th, 2021, 12:07 pm

Yeah - I’ll bring it out in spring

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