PiñonJ
Omono
I was looking back through Naka's Bonsai Techniques II and he calls these low branches "hem-line" branches, because the flare of the nebari is like a skirt.
Japanese maple #5 progression
- Thread starter MACH5
- Start date
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Fall 2014 update
Quick update on this maple. This year its fall color shifted more to yellow than the red/orange from last year. I believe this is most likely due to sunlight exposure (or lack of). It spent most of the growing season in more shaded conditions. Next spring I'll be focusing on the apex and I'd like to wire it move it down towards the left and set it more parallel to the horizon line. Other work needs to be done throughout the tree as well as finding a slightly larger and better quality pot.
Quick update on this maple. This year its fall color shifted more to yellow than the red/orange from last year. I believe this is most likely due to sunlight exposure (or lack of). It spent most of the growing season in more shaded conditions. Next spring I'll be focusing on the apex and I'd like to wire it move it down towards the left and set it more parallel to the horizon line. Other work needs to be done throughout the tree as well as finding a slightly larger and better quality pot.
fredtruck
Omono
Great work, Sergio! Really fine execution, and detail work.
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
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The foliage on your maples, in mid fall, is always pristine with barely a blemish on any leaf...truly amazing.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Magical.
The little trunks are coming along...
The little trunks are coming along...
KennedyMarx
Omono
Very natural tree, Mach5! This has been my first year with maples and I'm really impressed by your leaf condition at the end of the year. All of mine edned up scorched from too much sun and wind.
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Yes Judy the small trunks are doing very well. They were quite vigorous this year. Even the lowest one close by the soil did also really well. Been working very diligently to keep them healthy and not get overshadowed by the parent tree. These trunks I feel are a must for this composition so I cannot afford to loose them!
Thanks Fred! Lots more to do and lots more time before this becomes a bonsai. Besides wiring, pruning, etc, I will be doing some root grafts on the back of the tree in spring.
Dan I love the yellow as well! I hope I can get it again next year.
Thanks Dave! Unfortunately not all my maples behave this well!
Thanks KM! Yes it is always a challenge to keep these trees in good shape until fall. They are notorious for getting leaf burn almost by looking at them the wrong way! Make sure you provide them bright shade in summer and keep them very well watered. Even with lots of care and all sorts of precautions, they still may go south on you!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
The maple today about to shed the very last of its leaves.
Giga
Masterpiece
Something to aspire to me tinks.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Ah, the lady in her lingerie.... lovely.
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
BonsaiEngineer1493
Yamadori
A true gem!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Early Spring update. I wired about a third of the tree and pruned wherever necessary. It is now ready after 4 years for a much needed repotting in a few more weeks. Have not found yet a more final pot for this one but search is on. Possibly a shallow, rectangular shaped container this time.
The second trunk graft union has by now completely fused with the parent tree and starting to look much more natural.
The wounds that were cleaned and recut a few years ago have healed nicely and will eventually blend in with the rest of the trunk.
Although this tree is still relatively young, it is now beginning to form mature desirable features such as the vertical striations on the bark. It has a long way to go and I estimate that it will take another 15 to 20 years for the entire length of the trunk and primary branches to become completely grey.
It is fun to see progression photos. The hope of course is that you are always moving the tree forward. Below is the tree more or less as it looked when I first purchased it till now.
The second trunk graft union has by now completely fused with the parent tree and starting to look much more natural.
The wounds that were cleaned and recut a few years ago have healed nicely and will eventually blend in with the rest of the trunk.
Although this tree is still relatively young, it is now beginning to form mature desirable features such as the vertical striations on the bark. It has a long way to go and I estimate that it will take another 15 to 20 years for the entire length of the trunk and primary branches to become completely grey.
It is fun to see progression photos. The hope of course is that you are always moving the tree forward. Below is the tree more or less as it looked when I first purchased it till now.
Don Blackmond
Omono
That's a really nice transformation from 2009 to 2015. Really nice!
fredtruck
Omono
Sergio, what camera are you using for these great shots?
barrosinc
Masterpiece
what a difference pulling the branches down made!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
I use a Cannon Rebel T4i. I also always do post work on all the pics I put up to crop, correct color and exposure if needed.
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Yes I agree Max but I can't take the credit. The tree told me to do so
It is slowly now settling into its own.
