Japanese Maple cuttings [From start to finish: A Guide]

[Srt8madness]

I was wondering where this jewel of a thread went!

Mid spring early may is ideal for airlayer. Have anyone tried it around now?

Tried taking cuttings or air layers? I took some cuttings about a week ago, and will be taking some more this weekend. I'm rooting them indoors under a grow light though.

 

[Ming dynasty]

I was wondering where this jewel of a thread went!



Tried taking cuttings or air layers? I took some cuttings about a week ago, and will be taking some more this weekend. I'm rooting them indoors under a grow light though.

What type lights do you use? Is there a particular kind for grow light?

 

[Srt8madness]

What type lights do you use? Is there a particular kind for grow light?

LED panels. 500-600 Par at 18". Once rooted I was growing at about 1k Par level (10"). Nodes are long but I'm not making shohin so it doesn't matter while getting them established.

Both that I have are discontinued, but it doesn't matter. Ignore wattage, etc. Just make sure it's full spectrum and look at PAR value.

 

[Ming dynasty]

Hey y’all is this bad? The green stuff on top my soil.

 

[Srt8madness]

Nope, it's fine

 

[Attmos]

and as such, no need to shout.

I would look into what you have done differently from the resources you have used. There are MANY documented routes to success.

Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad to have found your website.

 

[leatherback]

Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad to have found your website.

been VERY lazy since I started pushing youtube videos though. One day I wil lget back to the website I am sure. Just not sure when!

 

[Attmos]

been VERY lazy since I started pushing youtube videos though. One day I wil lget back to the website I am sure. Just not sure when!

There's a good deal to read as it is.

 

[Attmos]

been VERY lazy since I started pushing youtube videos though. One day I wil lget back to the website I am sure. Just not sure when!

I used to participate in a community on a website called "Instructables.com". Won a bunch of contests..

It still exists as "Autodesk Instructables".. a commercially funded site focused on developing future sellers.....

But back in the day it was known as "The World's Largest Show and Tell". Contributors would document a project they had taken on, give written instructions for anyone wanting to replicate it with photos and sometimes video. There was a hell of a lot of cool art being made and shared, along with some inspired building, electronic, etc., guides that I also considered an art form because of the way the site worked.

Anyway, it was always important to follow up all of your instruction with either photo experience, or further instruction. People do want to know that the process they're going to try does, in fact, produce results. The instruction can't end with the physical process, I guess...

Just thought I'd mention it after reading that guy's complaints. I already know you know what you're talking about, but visitors might not.

 

[Attmos]

LED panels. 500-600 Par at 18". Once rooted I was growing at about 1k Par level (10"). Nodes are long but I'm not making shohin so it doesn't matter while getting them established.

Both that I have are discontinued, but it doesn't matter. Ignore wattage, etc. Just make sure it's full spectrum and look at PAR value.

It's worth investing in a couple 150 watt metal halides over LED in my opinion. LEDs were a great thought when people wanted to grow pot illegally, but I think the real deal is still better.

Even just one of them can raise several very healthy plants, clones, seedlings... whatever.

 

[eugenev2]

I was slowing attempting to read through this thread, but i feel like it will take some time.
Anyway...i think the initial bickering actually resulted in some quality info on a single thread. I need to revisit my cuttings approach as i've been able to even fail with olives which you reportedly can just stick in the ground.
But i realized humidity and temperature is key and even people in the same climate as you might not have the same micro climate, so there will be some trial and error until you get things right like the correct position to provide light, but not cook the cuttings, misting to provide humidity but not water the substrate.
At the moment i have too many trees and the balance of life with proper care for the trees are suffering. So following thread to keep track of it until i can get back to it

 

[Srt8madness]

It's worth investing in a couple 150 watt metal halides over LED in my opinion. LEDs were a great thought when people wanted to grow pot illegally, but I think the real deal is still better.

Even just one of them can raise several very healthy plants, clones, seedlings... whatever.

Thanks but I'm good. I'll take the modernity and safety, as well as the control of LEDs.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Even just one of them can raise several very healthy plants, clones, seedlings... whatever.

I don't want to derail this thread, but you are discussing a lighting technology - versus what KIND of lighting makes you successful or not with woody plants. Metal halide (a lighting technology) can be good or bad. LED's (a different lighting technology) can also be good or bad. What you want is the spectral intensities that are absorbed by the chlorophyll in the trees - and which can be artificially created by either metal halide or LED technologies. LED's tend to be more energy efficient (producing more lighting for less electricity) while metal halides tend to be less so (producing a lot of waste heat).

Thread 'Plant lighting for beginners'

Nov 17, 2015

I am going to start this thread with this post, add to it as I have time, and eventually compile it into an article.

There have been a lot of requests for information on artificial lighting for bonsai (particularly at this time of year). I wanted to write a reference piece that was both scientifically correct, but accessible to people who don't want to learn phytobiology

Let's start with a few basic terms. Many people think of lighting in terms of "watts" or "wattage". This is an incorrect artifact from the days when all lighting was incandescent, was more or less the same...

• Bonsai Nut
• Replies: 139
• Forum: Tools & equipment (incl lighting)

• 

 

[Attmos]

I don't want to derail this thread, but you are discussing a lighting technology - versus what KIND of lighting makes you successful or not with woody plants. Metal halide (a lighting technology) can be good or bad. LED's (a different lighting technology) can also be good or bad. What you want is the spectral intensities that are absorbed by the chlorophyll in the trees - and which can be artificially created by either metal halide or LED technologies. LED's tend to be more energy efficient (producing more lighting for less electricity) while metal halides tend to be less so (producing a lot of waste heat).

Thread 'Plant lighting for beginners'

Nov 17, 2015

I am going to start this thread with this post, add to it as I have time, and eventually compile it into an article.

There have been a lot of requests for information on artificial lighting for bonsai (particularly at this time of year). I wanted to write a reference piece that was both scientifically correct, but accessible to people who don't want to learn phytobiology

Let's start with a few basic terms. Many people think of lighting in terms of "watts" or "wattage". This is an incorrect artifact from the days when all lighting was incandescent, was more or less the same...

• Bonsai Nut
• Replies: 139
• Forum: Tools & equipment (incl lighting)

• 

I understand the difference. That's why I didn't mention the high pressure sodium.

Metal halides put out light in the blue spectrum, telling plants the it's spring or summer time, and to get busy utilizing the light for structural growth. And High pressure sodium puts out light in the red spectrum simulating the sunlight coming through our atmosphere at a different angle and intensity that we see in fall time, which is used to trigger flowering in.. well, in pot anyway... lol

The heat can be beneficial if it's used correctly, or damaging if not. Pretty much like sunlight.

My thoughts on it anyway.

300 watts never affected my bill in any noticeable way, although I was running much larger lights for a time which can get expensive.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Metal halides put out light in the blue spectrum, telling plants the it's spring or summer time, and to get busy utilizing the light for structural growth. And High pressure sodium puts out light in the red spectrum simulating the sunlight coming through our atmosphere at a different angle and intensity that we see in fall time, which is used to trigger flowering in.. well, in pot anyway... lol

Not necessarily. You can buy all kinds of metal halide bulbs depending on your needs... from color temps as low as 2,700K, to temps over 10,000K - with an almost infinite number of spectral graphs. High pressure sodium bulbs are more limited in the light they can produce, and are deficient in blue spectrum lighting. They are not recommended as a standalone solution for plant growing.

 

[ryanperrymba]

Thanks Maiden!

It's available here: https://www.canadabonsai.com/pages/japanese-maple-propagation

If anybody sees any gaps or unanswered questions, i'd be happy to adjust the document as needed

@Bonsai Nut is free to post it anywhere he pleases of course I would use the PDF instead of the post above of course, since the PDF does not have the rejoinders directed at Mr. Bravura.

Thanks @Canada Bonsai. Like the OP I found my first few attempts frustrating. Like many, I overwatered substrate and stems rotted. Now I have a set that are 2 months in and have calluses but no roots.

I did not know one node would suffice. Thought success would be dismal if not cut very close to below a node. Good to hear your experience on this.

Any idea what causes callus formation but no roots, or how to encourage them?

Also… I’ve been tinkering with idea of cutting a small ring or tourniquet the stem before taking the cutting to give the value a head start, like an air layer but it’s just enough of ring to start the process. Anybody ever try this approach?

Thanks for the awesome write up!

 

[ryanperrymba]

I can afford a lot of things i am actually extremely well off but not everyone can. Not everyone is like us. Someone out there is not doing bonssi because they think it is an expensive hobby. It doesnt have to be.

How much have you spent on the trees you are hacksawing?

 

[leatherback]

How much have you spent on the trees you are hacksawing?

 

[rollwithak]

been VERY lazy since I started pushing youtube videos though. One day I wil lget back to the website I am sure. Just not sure when!

Just keep the YouTube videos coming!!!! They’re very enjoyable. Despite this gentleman not wanting to heed your advice, you’re a very effective communicator.

 

[akahz]

That is my point sir. Have you even bothered to look at my post seriously? Did you watch the 5 videos i did over this spring and sunmer trying all the methods as seen online? You have not. There is obviously massive dissinformation on JM cuttings and if you want to learn how to do it wait for the update. If you are here to tell me i am stupid then you are clearly the ignorant one. I can do everything else except find an article online? I can set up this account in this forum but i cant research the internet? I can set up and upload videos on YouTube for months and i dont know how to use the internet? you sound, like most people who are trying to hijack thus thread, like someone who doesnt want people to learn how to propagate this tree from cuttings. You are not offering any solutions you are just shitting on everything. You are a child.

I think the reason they are not growing is because they sense your anger.
I took this hobby up as a way to escape mine.
Having things die leads to acceptance.
Once you find acceptance, intuition takes over.