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Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 2nd, 2017, 2:23 pm
by Ilithya
Hello everyone, just wondering if this is the right japanese maple tree. because the first time i bought they told me its japanese maple but its trident maple. and just wondering if its ok to cut it on the red marks?
Thank you
Ilithya



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Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 2nd, 2017, 3:18 pm
by KIRKY
Its a Japanese Maple, looks like it may be grafted?
Cheers
Kirky
Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 2nd, 2017, 3:49 pm
by Ilithya
Sir kirky, thank you and im not sure if grafted i just bought it to padre pio nursery. sir, do you think its good idea to cut it on my red marks on top? im not sure how to make it movement on this beautiful maple.
Thank you
Ilithya
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Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 2nd, 2017, 6:15 pm
by shibui
Definitely Japanese maple this time. Almost certainly grafted as Kirky has spotted but the graft is neat and should not detract from a good bonsai.
There seems to be a tag inside the pot. Maybe it has the variety name on it so have a look on the tag please. From the growth I can see in the pictures I suspect it is one of the dwarf varieties of JM.
The spot you have marked looks like a good place to make the first cut if you want to grow a medium sized bonsai around 50-60cm tall.
Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 2nd, 2017, 8:48 pm
by Ilithya
shibui wrote:Definitely Japanese maple this time. Almost certainly grafted as Kirky has spotted but the graft is neat and should not detract from a good bonsai.
There seems to be a tag inside the pot. Maybe it has the variety name on it so have a look on the tag please. From the growth I can see in the pictures I suspect it is one of the dwarf varieties of JM.
The spot you have marked looks like a good place to make the first cut if you want to grow a medium sized bonsai around 50-60cm tall.
Sir Shibui, i bought this to padre pio nursery. when i bought my trident maple they have a tag and they told me aswell its japanese maple.
Thank you
Ilithya
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Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 3rd, 2017, 1:15 pm
by Ilithya
Thank you so much everyone for the advice. i hope it will get a good result in couple of years time.
Thanks
Ilithya

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Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 6:42 am
by Akhi
When you pot it up like that it looks like there is some reverse taper where you have the yellow in the background. See how the tree goes as I suspect you may have to develop a new root structure from that point or let the tree run riot over a few years to even that oddity out.
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Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 9:17 am
by Beano
That's the graft site. It's probably grafted because it's a special variety. You'd be better off planting it in the ground or a huge pot to see if you can't thicken the base more to match the graft bulge.
Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 11:12 am
by Ilithya
Its from grafted i will changed it later on the meduim size plastic colander hopefully will develop the good nebari one day and the tree would not get stress if i changed it again. do i have to cut the tree anywhere or wire when i changed to plastic colander?
Thank you
Ilithya
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Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 11:55 am
by shibui
Changing to a colander will not stress it any more when you do not cut any roots.
Cut or not cut - you have a choice.
1. You can leave the tree with NO pruning as it is - It will thicken quicker. It may get thick parts. It will still be OK
2. You can cut the tree - Slower to thicken. Better taper and shape. It will still be OK
Ilithia 2.PNG
If you want to prune you can cut at the red lines for better shape and taper.
Look at the place marked with black. That is a long internode. Buds will not grow there so that place will always be bare of branches. That may not be a problem if the tree is to be a bit larger. If you want a smaller tree and want branches to grow there you will need to cut below that place or later graft branch.
Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 12:27 pm
by Max
Does the trunk chop need cut paste or is does it not matter?
Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 12:57 pm
by shibui
cut sealing is not needed for smaller cuts like this. For cuts over 1cm diam sealer will speed up healing over.
Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 1:00 pm
by Max
Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 2:41 pm
by Ilithya
What a day! i accidently cut the trunk when i try to bend it. this is what i did now and hopefully in the couple of year time they will have a good nebari.
Thanks
Ilithya


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Re: Japanese maple tree
Posted: June 4th, 2017, 6:09 pm
by shibui
Now you know that maples are brittle and can break easy.
This is still OK. It will grow back from this stump and you can guide the new shoots to make a better tree.
Remember that this is grafted. The top part is different from the lower part. If buds start to grow below the graft you should cut them off because they will be different from the top. They will look different and that is strange. They will probably grow quicker than the top part and will usually overtake the top and kill it eventually.