Nursery Japanese Maple #1

[Apex37]

I have other Japanese Maples, but surprisingly all are cultivars and none nearly this big. I picked this up at my favorite maple nursery in the area. This is the most I’ve spent on a Japanese Maple but it being seedling grown, airlayer opportunities, and a decent base with a leader already available really made this an attractive buy for me that I couldn’t pass up.

Here’s the tree:


Here’s the top portion:


Base (that right root is probably gonna have to go):



Where all would you airlayer the top at?
I figure either go with red for two layers or blue for one larger trunk option.


Would love to hear y’all’s thoughts!
I’m really excited to work on this one over the next few years.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

From the top portion I'd layer at your lower blue ring this year, bend up that low branch and shape for the future leader, air layer the upper portions next year... if you want more material?

 

[Apex37]

From the top portion I'd layer at your lower blue ring this year, bend up that low branch and shape for the future leader, air layer the upper portions next year... if you want more material? View attachment 534245

This was kinda my thoughts as well.
Thanks for your input and virt!

 

[Apex37]

Air layer started

 

[Apex37]

Air layer separated today and planted on a board:

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Nice job! I would've left those leaders on for a while to power some more root growth, of course that would require increased watering care for some time

 

[Apex37]

Nice job! I would've left those leaders on for a while to power some more root growth, of course that would require increased watering care for some time

I would, but I have very little room where I can put this unfortunately. I would have waited a bit separate, but I run the risk here of it getting too hot come that time.

 

[NateDyk47]

Air layer separated today and planted on a board:
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Wow, that was fast!

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I would, but I have very little room where I can put this unfortunately. I would have waited a bit separate, but I run the risk here of it getting too hot come that time.

Gotcha, did you retain the base/ mother?

 

[Apex37]

Gotcha, did you retain the base/ mother?

Yessir! I’ll be repotting it next year and updating this thread then.

 

[Bonsai Forest]

Nice work

 

[UncannyMongoose]

Nice, looking forward to how they progress

 

[Apex37]

And of course somehow in the course of 2 weeks I now get the kiss of death for no real apparent reason. This hobby is becoming exhausting.

 

[namnhi]

That happens bud. Head down to metro maple and pick up a new one. Our climate just not... for JM.

 

[Apex37]

That happens bud. Head down to metro maple and pick up a new one. Our climate just not... for JM.

Funny enough that’s where I picked up this one. You’re right though, its definitely a struggle. Thank you for the encouragement, just had to vent a little. Holding on to the accomplishments I’ve had going into this hobby considering I never had plants I took care of until I started this hobby. They’re just as important as learning from the failures to keep you continuing.

 

[Maiden69]

That sucks, my mikawa seedling just had the same thing after a repot. On this one I would have left it a little longer in the tree, plenty of roots but I think they were just developing and not ready to supply nutrients to the leaves.

 

[Jrmcmich]

That does stink you lost it. Was such a quick one to layer too.