Plum growing as a clump

[bonsai-max]

Hi, despite the horrible weather the plum is growing well.
Any recommendation at this stage ?
My idea is to let her grow wild and cut back this winter.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Nice!

If one goes back to the Apple bonsai image on the previous page, notice how the branches have taper and directional changes. That is what needs to occur next. To build taper and modify the direction of growth for each shoot.

This is done by clip and grow…. A series of thoughtful cuts on a branch taking advantage of the directional growth buds on the tree. Once the growth gets to 6-8 leaves, cut back to just before the 2nd or perhaps 3rd bud going in a suitable direction. Suitable direction often means going in a completely different direction to get space, only to return to the desired direction on the next cut.

Bits of wire is applied to aid changes at time. Only as a secondary means though.

In this case it may also mean cutting way back to break up the log sections with no taper

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[bonsai-max]

When is the best time to cut back ?
I know that there are several periods for different kind of pruning.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

We cut back when extension are 6-8 leaves whenever these are long enough. For plums, lean towards 7-8 leaves. Healthy apple 6-8.

The variation depends upon the strength of the shoot.

For example, this crabapple forest was already cut back once.



Cheers
DSD sends