Lion Head Shishigashira

[hlienho]

I'm planning to air layer multiple branches sometime in May and train the main trunk into a bonsai.

Will it take years for the main tree to fully develop? I would greatly appreciate any advice you can share.

Thank you so much!

 

[dbonsaiw]

Will it take years for the main tree to fully develop?

Development time will depend on what you are trying to accomplish, but the short answer in bonsai is that everything will take years. Developing a canopy will take years, for example.

 

[roberthu]

Very good potential with branches extending from different sections and with movements.

 

[caffeinated]

it will take many years for the main trunk to develop into a bonsai but it has a great start. It will take more years for the air layers. Keep in mind that the year after you pot up the layers will likely be rather uneventful, above ground at least, but once the roots establish, they'll start developing a little faster.

 

[hlienho]

Thank you all for your advice.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Thank you all for your advice.

I'm on a similar journey with my Shishigashira. (https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/wulfskaars-shishigashira-maple-lions-head.50792/) I attempted my first air layers 2 years ago. One died and the other I separated only last summer, so it took over a year to get the air layer. I think I know what I did wrong, so I'll soon be making a couple more. My plan is to make a mini planting, inspired by @MACH5's stunning Shishigashira planting. (https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/shishigashira-group-planting.58516/)

Please keep posting about your progress; it benefits everyone!

 

[hlienho]

I'm on a similar journey with my Shishigashira. (https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/wulfskaars-shishigashira-maple-lions-head.50792/) I attempted my first air layers 2 years ago. One died and the other I separated only last summer, so it took over a year to get the air layer. I think I know what I did wrong, so I'll soon be making a couple more. My plan is to make a mini planting, inspired by @MACH5's stunning Shishigashira planting. (https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/shishigashira-group-planting.58516/)

Please keep posting about your progress; it benefits everyone!

Same here, will also try to mimic @MACH5 's Shishigashira group planting. (https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/shishigashira-group-planting.58516/)!

I had my first experience with air layering last year on one of my Shishi. I started a bit late — June 15, 2024 — here in zone 8b, Washington. It didn’t have enough time to finish that season, so it overwintered still attached to the mother tree. When I checked on March 30, 2025, I saw that roots had formed, so I went ahead and separated it. It's growing really well now!