Mulberry layer, too successful?

[James W.]

I am happy with the results of this mulberry ground layer from a weed in the yard. I had been thinking about tying it to a rock for a good start on a ROR but am thinking that the base is too big to get it to set on a rock so now I think I want to pursue a nice nebari on this thing. I am planning on screwing it onto a board and arranging the roots radially before putting it into an Anderson flat to grow.
The question is: How many roots is too many? Should I reduce the roots to 8, 12 or 20?

 

[Shibui]

I don't think there's such a thing as too many roots.
Most of the roots will thicken as they grow. Any that are close or touching will gradually fuse together. Lots of roots is how the Japanese growers develop the pancake nebari so if you want to pursue that look leave as many as possible.
If you don't want the pancake you can thin out the roots. I'd still leave plenty where possible. Maybe thin to leave 1/4 inch spaces?

I am planning on screwing it onto a board and arranging the roots radially

Aren't the roots already radial? There's no need to use a board when the roots are already heading outward. Those roots are already set. They won't suddenly change direction and bend downward. Any new ones that do head down can be trimmed off at future transplants. Much easier than messing with a board but if you really want to do it be my guest.

 

[Faisal Ahmad]

This my mulberry, in using 8 roots then split into 16 then so on

I think you can use 8 root at the beginning, but don't do cut all now, do it in separate 1 by 1 until your roots mature.

 

[JudyB]

Mulberrys are such strong rooters, I would thin if I wanted separation in the nebari later on. But I think I would only take roots that were going the wrong direction at this point, leave lots for the first year. Nice layer!

 

[19Mateo83]

That is impressive, I hope I have the same result when I air layer a big one this year.

 

[Dabbler]

I have a mulberry that the roots go bonkers - if you leave them they will fuse - but that's not really a bad thing. At this point i'd just leave it then the next repot you can decide what direction to take.

 

[Gabler]

Keep all of those roots. You can't have too many roots. That said, if you're still worried it's too much, remember that it's easier to take off extra roots later than to add more later.

 

[James W.]

I guess I forgot I can cut more off later if I don't like them. I am not interested in a fused pancake nebari so think I will thin them a bit.
Thank you, all.

 

[Ruddigger]

I wouldnt cut a damn thing.

 

[Gabler]

I guess I forgot I can cut more off later if I don't like them. I am not interested in a fused pancake nebari so think I will thin them a bit.
Thank you, all.

Also, it takes years of growing on a board for masters to fuse roots into a pancake. It's not going to happen before your next repot. For now, just let it grow and get established.

 

[Dabbler]

also your getting revers taper with those three trunk - may want to address that

 

[James W.]

also your getting revers taper with those three trunk - may want to address that

Those three branches are actually coming off at different heights from the angled chop, and yes, they are not all keepers. The "reverse taper" you are seeing is the knob of the trunk healing over the chop scar, it is not as bad as the picture makes it look. It will grow out when the trunk thickens up.
We will see what kinds of buds pop, I think I will have lots of options to sort out the top.