Keep it or Cut it?

[Brian Van Fleet]

Feels like cheating to jump straight to the end of an 18 page progression.

For those who prefer the reader’s digest version:

 

[Deleted member 32750]

For those who prefer the reader’s digest version:
View attachment 438717

Beautiful maple and fantastic progression. Is this tree grown from a cutting or air layer?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Beautiful maple and fantastic progression. Is this tree grown from a cutting or air layer?

Thanks, don’t know, but would guess cutting. @garywood originally got it from Brussel’s and I got it from Gary.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Height of fall color!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

And now, Spring color…

 

[Zelrod]

Spectacular tree
I’m glad you left the lower right limb.

 

[R0b]

Spring leaves on yours and my nursery stock make me want to get more maples.

 

[Deleted member 32750]

Incredible tree!

 

[Carol 83]

Almost makes me want to get a maple. Beautiful spring image.

 

[Nuffel]

@Brian Van Fleet , how does the spring and fall color of your tree compare to Deshojo and Seigen? Any idea? Do you find this cultivar better/easier to work with?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

@Brian Van Fleet , how does the spring and fall color of your tree compare to Deshojo and Seigen? Any idea? Do you find this cultivar better/easier to work with?

This Chishio is a SLOW grower. I have spent 2 decades on this tree now and it is a just ok Japanese Maple bonsai. I probably wouldn’t intentionally pursue it again. Slow to bark up, slow to build ramification, and not great to back-bud. Never had a Desojo, and just starting to work with Seigen. The leaf shape is more consistent with Seigen than Chishio, and the Seigen seems to grow stronger.

The Chishio has great spring color which lasts several weeks, and good fall color; really bright if the weather cooperates, and burgundy if it just gets cold.

 

[Nuffel]

This Chishio is a SLOW grower. I have spent 2 decades on this tree now and it is a just ok Japanese Maple bonsai. I probably wouldn’t intentionally pursue it again. Slow to bark up, slow to build ramification, and not great to back-bud. Never had a Desojo, and just starting to work with Seigen. The leaf shape is more consistent with Seigen than Chishio, and the Seigen seems to grow stronger.

The Chishio has great spring color which lasts several weeks, and good fall color; really bright if the weather cooperates, and burgundy if it just gets cold.

Thank you, just the info I needed.

 

[Lou P]

And now, Spring color…
View attachment 477556View attachment 477557

Beautiful Tree!! This is one of my *dream* bonsai trees

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Leafless shot.

Haven't had a chance to prune it back yet, but the branch I have been growing out to replace part of the too-thick lower left branch is almost ready to take over.


Two of the three grafts took and are slowly building up some mass

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Repotted. As usual, combed out everything, completely bare-rooted, and pruned back. Happy to show a bit more nebari, and to get it back in the baby blue pot. Had missed seeing it!

 

[Wood]

Do you usually wait until that much leaf is showing on all of your deciduous trees before repotting or just the older ones?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Do you usually wait until that much leaf is showing on all of your deciduous trees before repotting or just the older ones?

This is about perfect from my experience. Too early can make for inconsistent flushing out (plus the inevitable late freeze), later and you risk new growth wilting from not getting the water necessary, due to the diminished root capacity.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Looking better every year, Brian.

 

[yashu]

Wow… a beauty.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Quick update