My very big, very ugly, very problematic JM.

[Dav4]

Another option would be to thread graft roots to the trunk below those scars... safer and more likely to get roots where you need them. Matty O may still have some available.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Although it's the widest spot and would keep the best taper, I think trying to layer below the lowest scar won't be ideal. I'm not certain the lowest part of the scar parallel to the soil line is even healing. It may be hard to tell from the pics but when the cut paste starts cracking away at the edges that is usually a sign the callous is rolling. It doesn't appear to be rolling at the bottom and it didn't look great when i tried re-cutting it last spring. I'd have to remove the paste to be certain. So I am left with the option to try and it and work my way up the trunk with other layers if it fails, but I am thinking this is likely a tough path also for what Oso pointed out. And I'd still have to deal with healing that large scar.

I think as Brian suggested the next section of live tissue between the two scars would be the best spot to try a layer. Tricky indeed, but appears to be the first lowest part on the trunk that would work.

And i hadn't even thought of thread grafting. How many do you think could safely be done at once? And if they take this year i assume it would have to be repeated next year and they'd have to have a lot of growth before removing from the lower trunk. My repotting window is going to start coming up quick. In the last few days i've justtttt started noticing buds starting to change color and slightly swell.

 

[Nybonsai12]

And thank you all for the replies/input... much appreciated to hear everyones thoughts and advice.

 

[Dav4]

Although it's the widest spot and would keep the best taper, I think trying to layer below the lowest scar won't be ideal. I'm not certain the lowest part of the scar parallel to the soil line is even healing. It may be hard to tell from the pics but when the cut paste starts cracking away at the edges that is usually a sign the callous is rolling. It doesn't appear to be rolling at the bottom and it didn't look great when i tried re-cutting it last spring. I'd have to remove the paste to be certain. So I am left with the option to try and it and work my way up the trunk with other layers if it fails, but I am thinking this is likely a tough path also for what Oso pointed out. And I'd still have to deal with healing that large scar.

I think as Brian suggested the next section of live tissue between the two scars would be the best spot to try a layer. Tricky indeed, but appears to be the first lowest part on the trunk that would work.

And i hadn't even thought of thread grafting. How many do you think could safely be done at once? And if they take this year i assume it would have to be repeated next year and they'd have to have a lot of growth before removing from the lower trunk. My repotting window is going to start coming up quick. In the last few days i've justtttt started noticing buds starting to change color and slightly swell.

You could easily start at least 5-8 thread grafts this year, and plan on more over the next few years.

 

[Nybonsai12]

In the box. I love J. Maples leaves at this stage.

 

[atlarsenal]

@Nybonsai12 any update on this one?

 

[Nybonsai12]

@Nybonsai12 any update on this one?

Hey atlas. Nothing much to report. Still alive. After the repot in spring I left it alone all season.

 

[sorce]

Hey atlas. Nothing much to report. Still alive. After the repot in spring I left it alone all season.

You ever see how Jerry Meislik uses branches across wounds to heal them?

I wonder if you couldn't start some of those "thread graft", or maybe approach grafts, below the bad scar, to give the path 0so was saying doesn't exist.

To me, even if it failed, it would be worth trying to save that wide ass base.

Sorce

 

[Nybonsai12]

You ever see how Jerry Meislik uses branches across wounds to heal them?

I wonder if you couldn't start some of those "thread graft", or maybe approach grafts, below the bad scar, to give the path 0so was saying doesn't exist.

To me, even if it failed, it would be worth trying to save that wide ass base.

Sorce

I'm not familiar with Jerry's method. This tree and many others got put on the back burner this season. It just wasn't a gung-ho bonsai season for me and there wasn't as much excitement about things as there usually is for me. I've sold off a lot of material that i've lost interest in or decided I'd rather have the cash value to put toward something better. Not sure what the future holds for this one.

 

[sorce]

It just wasn't a gung-ho bonsai season for me

Me either. Only bought one tree, usually at least ....more than that! Lol!

Sorce

 

[Nybonsai12]

Me either. Only bought one tree, usually at least ....more than that! Lol!

Sorce

Thats what I set out to do now. only 1 high quality tree per year...But when you are picky and have a narrow budget with big expectations, that is easier said then done.

 

[Dav4]

I’ve purchased 2 trees from Telperion Farms this year... not inexpensive and long term projects for sure but definitely worth the money and time to turn into something very nice.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I’ve purchased 2 trees from Telperion Farms this year... not inexpensive and long term projects for sure but definitely worth the money and time to turn into something very nice.

Yes Chris has some really nice large material available. I previously purchased a large JBP from him, sadly I lost it this season due to an unfortunate mishap. oh well..

You still have your big azalea Dave? This season I've been going back and forth about wanting to get a large scots pine or a large azalea. I've been leaning toward the azalea and have been looking with no success yet.

 

[Dav4]

Yes Chris has some really nice large material available. I previously purchased a large JBP from him, sadly I lost it this season due to an unfortunate mishap. oh well..

You still have your big azalea Dave? This season I've been going back and forth about wanting to get a large scots pine or a large azalea. I've been leaning toward the azalea and have been looking with no success yet.

It’s been declining for years. It went into the ground last fall in a last ditch effort to save it... unfortunately, the heat and drought this year may have pushed it over the edge, even with extra watering from me. I think I’m done with imported azaleas.

 

[Nybonsai12]

It’s been declining for years. It went into the ground last fall in a last ditch effort to save it... unfortunately, the heat and drought this year may have pushed it over the edge, even with extra watering from me. I think I’m done with imported azaleas.

Bummer sorry to hear it.

 

[namnhi]

I don't know about others but azaleas are not my friends either. I even bought kanuma for them but that is still not good enough for them. I definitely would not spend a fortune on this specie if I don't already have success with a few. For me they seem to do ok for a couple years then slowly losing leaves and dry up... granted I don't have anything as big as Dav's.

 

[Nybonsai12]

took some pics today, so here’s this one. It hasnt gotten a great deal of attention. Never attempted a layer. Growing strong now, re cut some scars to try and keep the callus rolling.

 

[Nybonsai12]

A lil fall color shot from inside the house early this morning. Leaves aren’t in great shape up close but I’m happy enough that they aren’t completely crispy.

 

[MACH5]

Looks great Brian! I find wooden boxes to be almost a magic bullet for developing maples. Moving forward my suggestion is to move it into a shallower wooden box and perhaps a bit wider on all sides.

Nice growing!

 

[Mapleminx]

@Underdog although instead of pancake nebari, its got dog poop nebari! But seriously I would enjoy the tree too.

Lol I’m not the only one that thought it looked like it was growing out of a pile of dog poop then! I actually like the tree, it has character but that terrible shipping