What to do … collected maple.

[Keithconn]

Hello everyone. Happy spring!
I have this maple that I collected last spring. It is currently in some potting soil in a wood box.

Should I move it to some bonsai soil? In a new training pot? Or leave it for another year? I kind of want to move it to promote healthy root growth.

Thanks

 

[Tieball]

It appears already leafed out. Some with more knowledge on this species should chime in for advice. Most trees I have would not tolerate a repotting after leaf out. Just looking at it though, whether kept in the same box or not, I would keep all the roots covered with substrate. It looks like you have some very thick long roots hanging out in the air to dry out (unless those above the surface roots are a design element you’re trying to achieve).

The soil does not look like a really healthy environment to me. But I’m many miles away and only looking at one photo. Wait for the Japanese Maple owners to respond.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Grew out all my maples in potting soil/pumice in nursery pots for many years. They seemed to do fine. Repotted most this year in to better soil, but there was plenty of roots to work with in the potting soil. But I don’t have a maple in bonsai soil to compare with soooo, yeah, grain of salt kind of info.

 

[Shibui]

Looks like it is about right at the end of safe repotting window. If you can repot with little root reduction it should be Ok but I don't think it needs repot yet. It appears to be growing fine in the existing soil as is usual in larger containers and boxes with good drainage so roots will already be healthy. Looks like it needs plenty more time in a grow box to grow some branches and a new apex. You should spend some time this growing season starting to shape branches and start on ramification. A larger box like it is in will give much better response to wiring and pruning.
Plenty of time later to switch it over to more bonsai like soil when it goes into a bonsai pot.
I agree with topping up the soil level to cover the thick roots. That may even promote more roots from the base of the trunk.

 

[The Warm Canuck]

Nothing wrong with leaving it another year.

What's your goal? Are you happy with the trunk thickness? I'd work the top this year and work the roots at the right time next year.

But like others say, add more soil to cover the exposed roots.

If it was my tree, at some point, I'd Air Layer the top close to the new sprouts and cut the primary tree down to that lowest branch to introduce some taper. Two trees for one!

 

[The Warm Canuck]

Nothing wrong with leaving it another year.

What's your goal? Are you happy with the trunk thickness? I'd work the top this year and work the roots at the right time next year.

But like others say, add more soil to cover the exposed roots.

If it was my tree, at some point, I'd Air Layer the top close to the new sprouts and cut the primary tree down to that lowest branch to introduce some taper. Two trees for one!

To clarify, I'd air layer after a few growing seasons. Once those shoots had grown into strong branches.