Japanese maple #5 progression

[Dav4]

You are a true wizard with these j. Maples. Thanks for sharing and as always, beautiful tree.

Beautiful color. Thanks!

What these guys said! I love this tree...looking forward to the naked pics.

 

[MACH5]

I like the idea of that little sub type trunk, but maybe it could actually be a little more exposed, by rotating the trees front a bit to the left. Then it will look more like a feature. I like it too.

Ok thanks Judy! Yes perhaps with a slight rotation it will highlight it a bit better. Also this little trunk needs further development which will give it more presence in the future.

What these guys said! I love this tree...looking forward to the naked pics.

Thanks Dave! It means a lot coming from you!

 

[daygan]

I like the low sub-trunk as well. I personally actually like how it is from the current angle, as, to me, it adds a little air of mystery as it sneaks up from behind the roots and meanders forward on it's own path.

 

[davetree]

Keep the sub-trunk ! It will make a good tree special.

 

[MACH5]

March 2 2014 update

Posting some pics to update this thread. Did some wiring and pruning and re-carved some old pruning scars. As soon as buds start to swell I plan on repotting it. I will most likely do one or two more root grafts on the back to even out the nebari. I must say that I am pleased with how this tree had progressed. I think it has come a long way!








Despite the fact that it is "supposed" to be a standard green Acer Palmatum, its buds are naturally tiny with fine delicate branching and leaves that are smaller than usual.







The old root graft stump from last year is visible on the lower left but will be cut off later in the season. To the right, on the second trunk graft, some further work was done which I'm doing carefully and in steps since I need to keep it's health and vigor strong.







Here the tree is happily posing with a shohin Kiyo Hime

 

[JudyB]

nice work!

I am really looking forward to the second trunk taking off. Please keep the low branch going, I like how it spreads the eye at the base of that trunk.
Sweet pairing with the smaller tree.

 

[tmmason10]

Love both those trees in the last photo. Thanks for sharing this one is looking especially great.

 

[MACH5]

I am really looking forward to the second trunk taking off. Please keep the low branch going, I like how it spreads the eye at the base of that trunk.
Sweet pairing with the smaller tree.

Judy thanks! I agree I like the low branch as well. This little "trunk" or low branch gives the tree a somewhat unexpected detail and broadens the base visually as you said. It is probably one of my favorite features in this image. It will be a bit challenging to keep it healthy since the tree naturally wants to abort this type of "nonsense" branches as it naturally pushes itself upwards. Also I am also cognizant that it cannot be shaded too much either from the parent tree otherwise the entire graft will not prosper and eventually weaken and die. It is somewhat like a tightrope balancing act here! Where are those folks from Cirque du Soleil when you need 'em?!

 

[Neli]

You have impressed me! Congrats!
You have put a lot of thought into this tree from the beginning...you had a clear plan, and I love the movement of the branches and the feeling of harmony they give...
Thank you for posting it.

 

[Cmanz]

I love the branch right above the soil. It creates interest that sets it apart from the run of the mill maple. Great work. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dav4]

Judy thanks! I agree I like the low branch as well. This little "trunk" or low branch gives the tree a somewhat unexpected detail and broadens the base visually as you said. It is probably one of my favorite features in this image. It will be a bit challenging to keep it healthy since the tree naturally wants to abort this type of "nonsense" branches as it naturally pushes itself upwards. Also I am also cognizant that it cannot be shaded too much either from the parent tree otherwise the entire graft will not prosper and eventually weaken and die. It is somewhat like a tightrope balancing act here! Where are those folks from Cirque du Soleil when you need 'em?!

At least down here in the Atlanta Bonsai Society, we call these branches that don't necessarily follow the rules "Conversation Branches". Earlier in my bonsai life, I would have considered them flaws but now realize they add a different element to an already good tree that makes people who've been around good bonsai for a while stop and take a second look. This tree would look fine without it, even great, but with it...well, it's another thing to appreciate and discuss. Love the tree Mach.

 

[barrosinc]

these larger root grafts (right side, second trunk) seem to work a lot better, maybe try something like this for your chishio were other root grafts failed??

 

[MACH5]

these larger root grafts (right side, second trunk) seem to work a lot better, maybe try something like this for your chishio were other root grafts failed??

Barrosinc I'm guessing you're referring to Brian's maple yes? In my experience both have worked well for me and conversely both have failed on me as well. This is all part of the game I suppose. When I was in Japan last summer, I saw in Mr. Urushibata's nursery a few failed grafts. It goes to show that it will happen even to the very best of us!

BTW here is an update of this maple.






I am letting the second trunk graft to continue growing and developing. I was very happy to see that the lower most branch became very vigorous this year as you see in the pic below.

 

[cmeg1]

Looks fabulous.It looks like a waterfall,or takes me to a nice maple by the stream I always visit.Someone knows Japanese maple. Thanks for posting.

 

[catfish chapstick]

This is just perfect

 

[MACH5]

This is just perfect

Thanks Catfish! Well not anything close to perfect but at least I think this tree is progressing in the right direction

 

[barrosinc]

Barrosinc I'm guessing you're referring to Brian's maple yes? In my experience both have worked well for me and conversely both have failed on me as well. This is all part of the game I suppose. When I was in Japan last summer, I saw in Mr. Urushibata's nursery a few failed grafts. It goes to show that it will happen even to the very best of us!

BTW here is an update of this maple.






I am letting the second trunk graft to continue growing and developing. I was very happy to see that the lower most branch became very vigorous this year as you see in the pic below.

oops yeah wrong person.
do you a close up pic of the graft just after grafting it?

 

[MACH5]

No sorry I do not.

 

[JudyB]

You can almost hear the tree munching on those cakes....looks like it's putting on the weight this year.
yumyum...
Nice update!

 

[MACH5]

You can almost hear the tree munching on those cakes....looks like it's putting on the weight this year.
yumyum...
Nice update!

I should be able to start making a nice apex with the growth I'm getting this year. We'll see what it looks like when the leaves are gone