$35 Japanese Maple project

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy

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SE MI- Bonsai'd for 12 years both MA and N GA

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• Mar 26, 2023

• #81

I’m using epoxy to assist in healing defects in the trunk and lower branching. Let’s see how this looks in September. Truly stuck in the ugly duckling stage right now, but hopefully not for long .

 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy

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• Oct 10, 2023

• #82

This one consistently has some of the best fall colors out of all the Japanese maples in my collection.
You’re up you’re pathetic

 

clem

Chumono

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• Oct 12, 2023

• #83

I love the large base and the tapper & movement of the trunk. The bark becomes mature too

 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy

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• Oct 14, 2023

• #84

 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy

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• Oct 21, 2023

• #85

Leaves will be on the ground within the week.

 

misfit11

Omono

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• Oct 21, 2023

• #86

Not too shabby for $35... and about 10 years

 

Dav4

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• Oct 21, 2023

• #87

misfit11 said:

Not too shabby for $35... and about 10 years

Click to expand...

Dude... it's the journey that matters!!!
... and now you've got me thinking what I could flip it for... see if the year over year rate of return on the initial investment is beating my IRAs

 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy

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SE MI- Bonsai'd for 12 years both MA and N GA

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• Feb 25, 2024

• #88

Re-potted today. Clearly, maple roots really love akadama based soils ( though they grow just fine in other soils, as well, they develop a ton of feeder roots in Akadama). As the rootage strengthens and ramifies, it'll slowly get exposed.

 

clem

Chumono

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• Feb 26, 2024

• #89

have you already decided which branch will make the new trunk line/crown ?
I was thinking of this branch, on the pics, which seems to be a nice continuation of the trunk ->

 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy

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• Feb 26, 2024

• #90

clem said:

have you already decided which branch will make the new trunk line/crown ?
I was thinking of this branch, on the pics, which seems to be a nice continuation of the trunk ->
View attachment 530541

Click to expand...

I've been thread grafting multiple spots on the long upper trunk, but none took last year, so more were started recently. I want the tree to be taller than what you have in your picture but do believe the tree will eventually move back to the left.

 

clem

Chumono

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• Feb 27, 2024

• #91

ok, it will be interesting to see how it evolves in the future (your artistic choices)

 

GGB

Masterpiece

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• Feb 27, 2024

• #92

Glad I came across this, dealing with an identical root problem. Great turn around

 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy

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• Feb 27, 2024

• #93

clem said:

ok, it will be interesting to see how it evolves in the future (your artistic choices)

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the branch you propose to be the next section of trunk comes off the back of the trunk and there would be a large chop scar directly in the front. I'm trying to avoid that be starting some new grafts above the branch you like. The tree will still be compact but a bit taller than what you've drawn above. Hopefully, we have a good growing year and these grafts take so I can start to refine the apex .