Laceleaf Japanese maple seedling

[b3bowen]

I find it interesting that the laceleaf forms of Japanese maple are not developed more for bonsai. I know that the majority of them are grafted and have some traits like long Internodes that are less desirable, but they have an exceptionally graceful quality to them. I have seen some good examples but it seems they are mostly avoided. This is among my favorite trees. It was purchased dormant from a large group of seedling grown plants for 5$ and I bought it because the dead leaves in the container looked small/deeply dissected. It was small enough at the time that it was not clearly weeping. Since then it has proven to be an ungrafted dissectum with dull red spring color that turns to green followed by excellent fall color. The nursery owner had the seedling overpotted and he kept it far too wet rotting the down growing roots resulting in great radial roots.



Fall color:

 

[b3bowen]

It needs to be cut back and wired.

 

[Shibui]

I also love the weeping habit and divided leaves of this group but one of the problems with dissectum seedlings is that the vast majority have weak roots. Most die before reaching 1 year and many more go before getting to 2. Occasionally there's a stronger individual and it appears you've scored one of them.
As each seedling is a new and unique individual you are entitled to give it a new name. If it is real nice or has some unique characteristics you might even be able to market it as a new cultivar.

Good job on the development so far.

 

[Rivian]

As each seedling is a new and unique individual you are entitled to give it a new name

Thats rather silly, out of 10 000 seedlings at most a handful are worth naming

I see folks on this forum jumping at the opportunity far too often

 

[Potawatomi13]

Thats rather silly, out of 10 000 seedlings at most a handful are worth naming

I see folks on this forum jumping at the opportunity far too often

Of course SEEMS silly. However out of 10,000 humans born do not all deserve a name? And SO WHAT if "only" a plant