Phoenix graft Japanese Maple

[alpineart]

This is another Pheonix Grafted trunk , this time i have used Japanese Maple whips and laid them vertically up the stump .The reason for this is i'm hoping for a smoother flowing trunk even though it is semi sumo size it wont be a feminine tree as these Maples are well known for , might just be a Big Girl .

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The size of the trunk is that of a 10 fl oz glass coke bottle {looks like i used one} with a base of around 120mm + Narebri .Cheers Alpineart

[Josh7]

Nice work Alpine!
I'm considering doing this myself in the near future. At what time will you remove the grafting tape holding it all together? Are there other ways of securing the whips to the base so you don't have to worry about the tape/securing devices getting cut into the whips?

[alpineart]

Nice work Alpine!
I'm considering doing this myself in the near future. At what time will you remove the grafting tape holding it all together? Are there other ways of securing the whips to the base so you don't have to worry about the tape/securing devices getting cut into the whips?

Hi Josh the tape will remain in place for at least the next 6 months .I will remove it in late spring and reapply another wrap until they fuse , hopefully by next Winter .Grafting tape will stretch a little and it is applied to confine outward growth and hopefully force sideways growth fusing the trunks .With a solid overlap of the tape i dont expect it to bite in too much .The string is to prevent the roots and base from moving out over the next few months , it will be removed before bud burst .

Japanese Maples mark very easy so any wide soft elastic type ribbon would probably work , no doubt if it is left on too long it will cut into or mark the soft bark .Trial and error is the only way to learn .I have tried 2 method {staples and twist ties}on Trident Maples and currently have P.J figs on the go with grafting tape and will be wrapping Crab Apples as well .Its all about testing what works and what does less damage .I have wrapped with string in the past and if its kept closely bound it has an aged rough effect on the bark .

When wrapping the trunk up start at the top and work your way down so the ribbon , tape or string does have the ability to slide up to the narrower section , this is why i roughly wrap with string or wire first , then remove it when the final wrap is placed on the trunk .Hope this helps .Cheers Alpine

[Ryan1979b]

Looks like a great start, I currently have 100 hundred Trident seed in cold stratification ready for planting in late winter. Out of curiosity how old are the whips you used?

Cheers

Ryan

[alpineart]

Looks like a great start, I currently have 100 hundred Trident seed in cold stratification ready for planting in late winter. Out of curiosity how old are the whips you used?

Cheers

Ryan

Hi Ryan all these Maples Trident and Japanese were planted late Winter 09 so basically they were 5-6 months old from seed. Power feeding every week with Seasol Power Feed and every fortnight with Tomatoe Starter Feed ,watered daily and grown under 30 % shade cloth due to the extreme heat up here 35 - 45 Degrees .Cheers Alpineart

[bodhidharma]

Well done Alpine, i must have a go at this one day. I have the stump i have the trees i dont have time at the moment.

[Ryan1979b]

Thanks Alpine, Hopefully I can plant 2010 late winter early spring and bare root & set up the fusing Spring 2011. Look forward in seeing some progression shot in the near future. I have been very interested in this technique for a while now and am keen to final start the process.

Thank for the tips.

Cheers

Ryan

[alpineart]

Well done Alpine, i must have a go at this one day. I have the stump i have the trees i dont have time at the moment.

Hi Bodhi , the staple gun method is definately the way to go ,less time less hassle . I intend to try 150-200 whips and make 1 Big Mother Sumo just for the hell of it .Cheers

[alpineart]

Thanks Alpine, Hopefully I can plant 2010 late winter early spring and bare root & set up the fusing Spring 2011. Look forward in seeing some progression shot in the near future. I have been very interested in this technique for a while now and am keen to final start the process.

Thank for the tips.

Cheers

Ryan

Hi Ryan , the reason i have done these now is to allow the trunks of the whips to hold their shape prior to the spring growth when they will be unwrapped from this tight bandage to a less intrusive wrap that will allow for side shoots to elongate from individual trunks .If i wrapped them when they were if full growth or prior to bud burst they won't be able to shoot lower down the whip trunks where i will require lower branches .Leaving individual apexes at varying heights as seen on another blog i believe is losing the uniform ramification that i am after .

Each to his own when it come to trying methods ,but i would rather rub a few side shoots off than chop unwanted branches out and have a heap of unwanted scars . Good luck with your projects . Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

While this is still alive it has struggled due to lack of care and slaters ring barking numerous whips/trunks. I had to remove the trunk a couple of years ago because it was a haven for the little critters . A close inspection today has revealed their still hanging around ,

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I have re-wire the trunks together

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as it has become quite loose around the lower base

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, hopefully another season will see better progress .The Narebri is and will be very impressive

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by the time this graces a pot . Not a Phoenix Graft any more , just a fused trunk Japanese Maple in progression

Cheers Alpineart