What cultivar of Japanese maple is this?

[JustALoneSpirit]

They grow tropicals because that's what survives well in your climate. I'd take that to heart. You maple isn't a logical or capable bonsai candidate in your climate.

BTW, cutting roots is only one way you disturb the roots. Barerooting it and placing it in new soil out of season is another form of root disturbance. Roots disturbed in that manner don't function optimally (or at all) for a long while after. Misting is a pretty bad practice for any outdoor tree. It doesn't provide any benefit, as outdoor humidity is more than adequate--unless you live in a desert. It's simply not necessary and has a steep downside by keeping the tree too wet.

Thanks for the advice! But I've actually made up my mind to keep temperate trees(kinda stubborn so sorry) and my humidity rn is actually at avg 79 % so kinda high... What else can I do to elevate the health of the tree? And coming to air layering what if I just put a pot around the trunk with substrate without damaging the bark will it send out roots or should I use some wire?

 

[rockm]

Thanks for the advice! But I've actually made up my mind to keep temperate trees(kinda stubborn so sorry) and my humidity rn is actually at avg 79 % so kinda high... What else can I do to elevate the health of the tree? And coming to air layering what if I just put a pot around the trunk with substrate without damaging the bark will it send out roots or should I use some wire?

"What else can I do to elevate the health of the tree?"

Ship it to France, or the Netherlands, or someplace where it actually has a chance.

Sorry, but you're not being stubborn you're being blindly willful. There's a big difference. You're in the equivalent of USDA Zone 10-12. That's hotter than south Fla, Texas and a lot of Nevada. Bottom line, being stubborn won't improve the trees chances in equatorial heat and a refrigerator, sorry. Good luck.

Oh, BTW if you have to ask how to air layer, then it's a pretty safe bet your first effort isn't going to get it done. The good news is that once the top dies off from that effort it will be short enough to stuff into your fridge.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Thanks for the advice! But I've actually made up my mind to keep temperate trees(kinda stubborn so sorry) and my humidity rn is actually at avg 79 % so kinda high... What else can I do to elevate the health of the tree?

I was unable to keep Japanese maples alive in Zone 9b/10a due to lack of winter. Don't get me wrong - there are some deciduous trees that can handle the lack of a cold season. Chinese elms come to mind - in Southern California they were often evergreen, while the same trees moved here to NC (Zone 8a) have gone fully deciduous. However I do not believe Japanese maples are so forgiving.

Japanese maples like diffuse lighting, high humidity, and soft, slightly acidic water.

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

"What else can I do to elevate the health of the tree?"

Ship it to France, or the Netherlands, or someplace where it actually has a chance.

Sorry, but you're not being stubborn you're being blindly willful. There's a big difference. You're in the equivalent of USDA Zone 10-12. That's hotter than south Fla, Texas and a lot of Nevada. Bottom line, being stubborn won't improve the trees chances in equatorial heat and a refrigerator, sorry. Good luck.

Oh, BTW if you have to ask how to air layer, then it's a pretty safe bet your first effort isn't going to get it done. The good news is that once the top dies off from that effort it will be short enough to stuff into your fridge.

You say it won't survive 'Equatorial heat' huh? This tree came from dehradun which is temperate but gets above 40°C for 2 months... And in my place in south in Bangalore, our highest ever was 37°C. We have the above 30°C heat for only 3 months. Other times it's rainy, windy and cold compared to other tropical heat pans.... Our temperature does not exceed 30 °C all other 9 months of the year. Lowest was 18°C I believe, but fridge=4°C.

 

[rockm]

You say it won't survive 'Equatorial heat' huh? This tree came from dehradun which is temperate but gets above 40°C for 2 months... And in my place in south in Bangalore, our highest ever was 37°C. We have the above 30°C heat for only 3 months. Other times it's rainy, windy and cold compared to other tropical heat pans.... Our temperature does not exceed 30 °C all other 9 months of the year. Lowest was 18°C I believe, but fridge=4°C.

That heat might account for the dead lower branching and crispy leaves. Didn't you say it was imported...How long was it in dehradun? How many Japanese maples are in your local yard landscapes?

I'm done. Good luck.

 

[Paradox]

Hmm... But I believe in lalbagh they grow only tropicals? I mean it's just 1 hour drive from my home

This should give you a hint about the chances of success with maples at your location.

Have to agree with rockm, Bonsai Nut and Leatherback
Thinking you are somehow going to defeat the physiology and biology of a tree that has evolved 1000s of years to NOT grow in your environment is not only blind but willfully ignorant at best.

Can't convince someone that has made up their mind.
The dead tree will teach you

I am also done trying to help someone that only wants they answers they want to hear
There isnt enough luck that will help you, so I wont bother

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

You say it won't survive 'Equatorial heat' huh? This tree came from dehradun which is temperate but gets above 40°C for 2 months... And in my place in south in Bangalore, our highest ever was 37°C. We have the above 30°C heat for only 3 months. Other times it's rainy, windy and cold compared to other tropical heat pans....

This should give you a hint about the chances of success with maples at your location.

Have to agree with rockm, Bonsai Nut and Leatherback
Thinking you are somehow going to defeat the physiology and biology of a tree that has evolved 1000s of years to NOT grow in your environment is not only blind but willfully ignorant at best.

Can't convince someone that has made up their mind.
The dead tree will teach you

I am also done trying to help someone that only wants they answers they want to hear
There isnt enough luck that will help you, so I wont bother

Thanks for the advice, will try to acquire more local species but will still try to grow JMs

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

What about this guy?

Thread 'My Indoor growing/dormancy experiments'

Jan 18, 2016

I am writing this post as documentation for techniques I implemented/implement for indoor bonsai growing. I know this is a taboo subject for a lot of people, especially if you’ve been growing trees for a long time. Keep an open mind, and be sure to read the “disclaimers” section before you hate-comment Even moreso if you're new and looking to grow plants inside it's not easy.

Due to my circumstances, I do not have a place to grow my plants outdoors as i live in an apartment. Additionally, I have some special insight because I am a physicist (no Ph.D yet though)...

• JasonRedwood
• Replies: 51
• Forum: Tools & equipment (incl lighting)

• 

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

That heat might account for the dead lower branching and crispy leaves. Didn't you say it was imported...How long was it in dehradun? How many Japanese maples are in your local yard landscapes?

I'm done. Good luck.

I just checked with lalbagh botanical gardens and It turns out they too grow japanese maples and junipers.

 

[leatherback]

just checked with lalbagh botanical gardens

You realize it is not about the gardens but about the bonsai professional there right? The one who actually might KNOW what works IN YOUR CITY.
Read with an aim to understand, instead of to react and life will be easier..

 

[Paradox]

What about this guy?

Thread 'My Indoor growing/dormancy experiments'

Jan 18, 2016

I am writing this post as documentation for techniques I implemented/implement for indoor bonsai growing. I know this is a taboo subject for a lot of people, especially if you’ve been growing trees for a long time. Keep an open mind, and be sure to read the “disclaimers” section before you hate-comment Even moreso if you're new and looking to grow plants inside it's not easy.

Due to my circumstances, I do not have a place to grow my plants outdoors as i live in an apartment. Additionally, I have some special insight because I am a physicist (no Ph.D yet though)...

• JasonRedwood
• Replies: 51
• Forum: Tools & equipment (incl lighting)

• 

Since he hasn't been seen since 2016, I'm thinking it's most likely all his trees died and he gave up.

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

Since he hasn't been seen since 2016, I'm thinking it's most likely all his trees died and he gave up.

Makes sense...

 

[rockm]

I just checked with lalbagh botanical gardens and It turns out they too grow japanese maples and junipers.View attachment 559829

yeah, you're right, I'm wrong . If that's all you're after, you win, but unfortunately I haven't the last word and neither do you. The tree does. and it's not looking good for it.

Look, I have no idea what climate you're working with. I do know the species you're working as I have had several for 20-25 years now. I know that the bonsai collection near me grows tropical plants even though we have pretty good winters here. They have a greenhouse. They know what they're doing. They also have California juniper bonsai that were donated by notable California enthusiasts long ago. California junipers are desert climate trees that don't like a lot of moisture and humidity. They struggle here in the humid eastern U.S. Some of those original donated trees have had significant portions die back. Took a decade, or more in some cases, but they continue to struggle mightily and the work to keep them going is not easy. Simply can't handle the wetter climate because they're not built for it. They evolved in an arid, hot climate. They're now in a wet, temperate climate where their built-in mechanisms to cope with no water and intense sun work against them. And those trees are in the hands of expert botanists and arborists who know what needs to be done. You, my friend, are not that. You're a beginner who thinks putting a tree in a refrigerator will induce effective dormancy...just sayin...

As I said a while back, sure take a stab at it. Nothing stopping you, but don't fool yourself about chances for success. If you get more than a couple of years or so, you da man!

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

I agree, finally we shake hands... I tried my hand on air layering my grandma's rose which is also temperate and was imported but has been growing at my place for abt 10 years without winters... It loses all it leaves in summer just like it would in a temperate winter and leaf out after the heat is gone. I used Coco peat as the medium and rubber band tied it to a bar for support as it was too heavy... Let's see if it works... Then I'll likely try it on the Japanese maple.

 

[Lorax7]

I would suggest fully styling the Japanese maple, wiring every branch. That way, when the tree dies, it’ll look nice as a dried tree sculpture in your home. Make sure to leave the wire on the branches until they’re fully desiccated after the tree dies. Then, carefully remove the wire, as the dead, dried branches will be quite brittle. The leaves will, of course, drop. If you prefer the look of the tree in leaf, you’ll need to source some fake fabric leaves to glue onto the dead branches.

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

I would suggest fully styling the Japanese maple, wiring every branch. That way, when the tree dies, it’ll look nice as a dried tree sculpture in your home. Make sure to leave the wire on the branches until they’re fully desiccated after the tree dies. Then, carefully remove the wire, as the dead, dried branches will be quite brittle. The leaves will, of course, drop. If you prefer the look of the tree in leaf, you’ll need to source some fake fabric leaves to glue onto the dead branches.

Uh what was this for? Can u just stop telling me that the tree will die? It depends on the will of my tree, if it wants to it will, if it doesn't want to, it won't. Just as God wishes...

 

[rockm]

Uh what was this for? Can u just stop telling me that the tree will die? It depends on the will of my tree, if it wants to it will, if it doesn't want to, it won't. Just as God wishes...

not really, god really has nothing to do with whether this tree lives or dies. If it dies, it's YOUR fault, just as if it lives it's your fault. Leaving it up to God embarrasses God. This is akin to pulling a trout out of a stream, throwing it on the dirt and saying "it will live if God wills it." Bullshit. It will live if you put it back in the stream or provide an aquarium. It's your fault its out of water...I am TRULY done here this time.

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

not really, god really has nothing to do with whether this tree lives or dies. If it dies, it's YOUR fault, just as if it lives it's your fault. Leaving it up to God embarrasses God. This is akin to pulling a trout out of a stream, throwing it on the dirt and saying "it will live if God wills it." Bullshit. It will live if you put it back in the stream or provide an aquarium. It's your fault its out of water...I am TRULY done here this time.

Whatever, I never meant putting it in dirt... We'll see what happens

 

[Lorax7]

Uh what was this for? Can u just stop telling me that the tree will die? It depends on the will of my tree, if it wants to it will, if it doesn't want to, it won't. Just as God wishes...

I was just offering advice on how to achieve the best possible outcome for the tree in your climate. The inevitable endpoint is inevitable, but if you act now to style the tree, wiring the branches, you can at least have an aesthetically pleasing dead tree sculpture to display in your home.

 

[JustALoneSpirit]

I was just offering advice on how to achieve the best possible outcome for the tree in your climate. The inevitable endpoint is inevitable, but if you act now to style the tree, wiring the branches, you can at least have an aesthetically pleasing dead tree sculpture to display in your home.

I understand, but I don't wanna display a dead tree...

Thanks all of you for your advice.a