A Difficult Japanese Maple for Bonsai (Repot and Pruning)
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- čas přidán 7. 07. 2024
- I make a HORRIBLE mistake pruning and repotting this Japanese Maple Bonsai. But…was it for the better? Today I get ‘close-up’ as I demonstrate root reduction and my approach to resolving awkward branch structure. Make sure to let me know which branch you would remove next…
More on my Japanese Maple Bonsai:
• Japanese and Trident M...
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God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier
-- TIMESTAMPS --
00:00 Why I HATE Atropurpureum Maples.
01:54 What are the roots like?
03:34 How I prune my Maple roots.
06:58 Picking the ‘best’ pot for now.
08:58 My Pruning decisions.
11:28 Some major problems with the trunk.
12:03 I made a HUGE mistake.
14:22 All done for now.
15:07 A Bonsai Issue we ALL face.
Equipment & Acknowledgements:
I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC 330 Bridge Camera
All video production using AVC Video Editor Software
Sound equipment courtesy of: johnaronphotography.co.uk
Handmade Ceramics by: Dawn Isaac of deiceramics.com
Please be aware that all details of products used are given for your benefit only - I do not receive any financial recompense. I just think they are good value and you should know where to buy them if interested.
#bonsaiuk #bonsaitree #bonsaicare #maple - Jak na to + styl
I’m for taking off the thick leader entirely. Who chooses your movie clips? They’re always right on! Cheers Xav
I spend more time hunting for the right clips than actually working on bonsai :)
I appreciate how u talk through ur thought process and why or why not u do or don’t do something. It’s a great way for others to learn by watching and listening. Also, u have some wonderful bonsai that are more to the level of hobbyist, rather than a $10,000 fully mature ramified perfect maple, that most of us will never work on!
Keep up the great work!!
Thank you. I am more than happy to agree that my trees are no different than most of us hobbyists. I have a few that are a little better but most of them just reflect my ongoing frustrations and joys with this beautiful hobby :)
I was on board for the top chop! 👏🏽
😅 Let’s see how it develops in spring!
You never know how these respond - it couold be magic in the making...or bonfire in the brewing :)
Had an Atropurpurea growing in my garden which needed to be moved. My thought was to first do an air layer ( first ever attempt) in case the main tree didn’t make it. Started air layer last April and left in place until October; not a single root produced. The tree and branch above the layer were both unaffected so I’ve just lifted the whole tree this February- fingers crossed it makes it
It's really strange how so many people seemt o struggle to get this variety to propagate / produce roots from airlayers. Thanks for watching :)
I look forward to seeing how this tree responds. Hopefully there'll be tonnes of buds to choose from soon xx
Great hearing from you. I bet you are busy right now :)
This was fun to watch 😂. Never know where you’ll end up when you start trimming
So true :)
I’ve had maples growing successfully for years when suddenly they decide to turn up their toes! Root rot? Verticillium Wilt? Drought? Wind and cold? All of it! The only reliable ones I seem to have little issue with is Tridents and Field Maples. I dug a 29 year old Dissectum Red out of the garden that was looking sad, slung it in a large pot with Sphagnum and Molar Clay and it seems to be doing better! Maples! Pah!
I feel your pain my friend. I have to agree with you - tridents and Field maple are best :)
Great video Xavier! Looks like a tricky tree to deal with. Great decision on taking the top off it 😀
Thanks Adam - it has always been a deceptive tree. from a distance you thik it is pretty good and then you get closer and the world falls apart :)
I’m already 50 trees in to your database, well, your daughters actually. 49 actually, the number 15 mysteriously disappeared. But it’s really good. Now just about 200 more to go 😅but when it’s finished it will be such a useful help. Thanks again. And thanks for yet another fun video. 🙏
So glad it is working well for you heidi. I have never worked out why it occasionally 'loses' a number :)
I'd remove the rest of that central straight bit. Leave the two thinner branches and the lower branch. Yes, sometimes it's difficult to make major changes on a tree, but in this case I think the tree looks better for it.
Great advice Susan - something to do later in the year (September time).
Thread grafting through the straight sections would be the next best option in my opinion. Thanks for all the great video content. 🤘
If I had a sutiable whip that is probably the way to go. Cheers
I’m always a fan of when one takes chances on a tree, and makes some hard choices. Most times it pays off in the end! Great video as always!
And of course...sometimes it doesn't :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat well yeah there is that 😁😅😅
Great video and some good chuckles 👍
I have more fun with the chuckles than I do with the trees :)
Lovely job, keep the videos coming. Happy days
As always, thanks for all your support :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat your welcome, i look forward to your videos
The unexpected snap! All been there Xavier. Abandon it to a large garden pot or plant out in the front garden, you said it doesn’t respond well. Set the atropurpureum free!
I see wisdom in that view - thank you
As soon as you suggested removing the entire middle branch/leader I knew that's exactly what I would do. So my vote goes to removing that and leaving the three other smaller branches.
Cheers - that will probably happen in late Autumn or early 2025.
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Looking forward for that. I'm sure it'll turn out great!
Shorter and tighter has helped
As great uncle Tony said. In for a penny, in for a pound. Don't be afraid of pruning
Off with the stick 😊
That would have been exactly what he would have told me :)
Incredibly relatable video; you see the faults, know you're better off addressing them to improve your design, and before you know it you're back to a stick in a pot. Been there. I'd say you demonstrated impressive restraint stopping when you did.
Thanks Ryan - I definitely had to stop myself going further once that first branch broke :)
Weather is sure screwed up globally. Here in Minnesota, we should have a few feet of snow on the ground, but today I was able to work on a couple of trees. outside. It was 70 degrees!
That is great so long the snow doesnt hit you suddenly in another few weeks :)
Good progress.
Thanks for the encouragement :)
I completely understand your frustration with underperforming trees that you grow attached too! Iv had to thin out a few collected trees that had redeeming qualities but even in a life time won’t ever be the best with all the good will!
I think doing YouTUbe videos has helped me recognise I need to be a lot more ruthless with some of the trees I've spent time trying to bonsai :)
well before you started with the pruners. I was thinking that the thick tall part should go. But I would leave the last 3 thinner branches I know what you saying what is now a back branch, but I think it will probably end up being the apex and the front of the tree.
You are probably spot on with that Mary - thanks
That cut is what I would have done. Left it there to grow
It's doing ok right now but I think I may well have to consider turning it into a standard tree for the patio :(
Agree about how difficult they are. Ramification is very difficult and leaf size on the larger side. I have a forest that has developed no branching at all in about 4 years. Due for a repot soon that might invigorate it.
With this one I would be tempted to leave the branches, since you might struggle to develop replacement branches.
That is also very true about possible issues with replacement branches on this species. This variety is not returning to my garden anytime soon. I have four more of these which I will put together as a group and then ignore them :)
I had a similar dilemma this year, after having wired and shaped a maple last year and being fairly happy with it - I found a dying branch which had to be removed. It had been one of the main structural branches. After trying to keep what was left, I ended up removing all the branches and accepting that I’d have to start again, if it even survives.
I think you have just described the frustrations and joy of bonsai :)
True.
Hi Xav I am with the guys saying remove the thick middle trunk as it is too straight and thick. To be honest it is never going to be an easy maple to create a decent image, so you might as well be drastic by removing that middle trunk but maybe leave it until the tree recoverers from the work you have done this time keep it in the cold frame until it warms up in a few weeks time.
That definitely seems the right approach to take with this one. Cheers :)
Great video! Indeed, the tree looks much better now! They say everything happens for a reason... Oh snap.. Hee hee hee... I really like the trunk on that tree.
It is leafing out now so I shall not touch it again until September :)
I lost my biggest maple atropurpurea too, last season by a failed airlayer. 😢 So good to hear it is indeed a struggling species. 😅 And quite impressive what you did with your tree, Xavier 👍😃 I agree with other comments: To remove the main leader in between those side branches might be a lovley solution for many of your issues with this tree. 😘 Enjoy your day! Cheers 🙋♀️ Martina
Thanks Martina - definitely not a variety for me :)
I have one of these and they are a nightmare to bonsai. Sometimes I think I should pop it in the ground and let it become a lovely tree. Personally I would take out the main leader and concentrate on the two side branches. This way, improved taper and more ramification in the future. Good luck Zavier with this one. They are tricky to bonsai.
I am so glad to hear that it isn't just me who has problems with these as bonsai. It has frustrated me for years :)
Well Xav, like they say, one day the ugly duckling will become a beautiful swan!
If plan A doesnt work, there's always plan B, or C, or D, or E 😂
You are talking my kind of bonsai :)
I like what you’re doing here, Xav! I vote to chop the apex branch/leader and let those branches grow into a full umbrella.
By the way, your cut-aways had me rolling this morning. I might be a little delirious being up all night with sick cubs, but I’m still giving you credit. 😂
Your opinion and support is always welcome. Thanks
Looks and sounds like a real love/hate relationship. We all have trees that trigger those feelings. Have you considered moving that root base up the tree closer to where the branches start? Blue Sky Bonsai had a really good video on this approach: How and Why to Ground Layer Your Bonsai Tree. You could probably chance it this year, certainly next. Put the tree in a deeper pot to accommodate the ground layer, put it in the back of the garden and ignore except for water and fertilizer for about a year or two, then viola! probably better roots higher up. That might trick the tree into giving you more of what you want.
I am considering that approach with a couple of trees this year but for this one definitely not something I want to try. Great advice though Susan :)
I'm a newbie to Bonsai, but not to gardening with trees and shrubs.
In the garden, I'll lop off a branch or separate a root without a second thought. Not so with Bonsai, when even the very thought of cutting something off causes anxiety.
I'm now at the stage when I can confidently say you should cut the height down by removing the long central part of your Maple. Would I be so certain if it were mine? No way! 😂
Thank you for all your vidoes Xavier 🙏 🪷
I think you have captured the true thoughts off bonsai. It is always a little hardert o do what you know is right...on your own tree :)
I agree with you - the tree looks much better with the top section gone.
I would let the tree recover this year and rebuild the roots. Maybe keep that strong center branch trimmed back much harder than normal -- this might force buds lower down for next year and allow it to be removed. It may also help you decide on a new future leader from the other two branches if back budding doesn't occur. I don't see any inverse taper here, so you have time.
Do you remember which soil mixture was use last? I think your tree will really enjoy your latest mixture. If you still are unhappy, a pond basket for a couple of years may be a thought. I love this little tree as a case study of difficult material!
Spot on with your thought process Sue - thanks for the suggestion about the pond basket. I very nearly did put it in one :)
I've got to agree with the others - lop that straight limb off. The other branches have a lot more movement and look much more natural, and they might thicken up a bit with the leader gone. Thanks for explaining the thoughts behind your decisions, it helps everyone to know why you've done what you've done! Hope you get a bit of warmer weather soon! 6⁰🥶
Cheers. I was forced inside in the end to keep up with the repots on my chines eelms yesterday. If it isnt the cold it is the rain!!!
I am no expert in bonsai and have been in the hobby for less than ten years and so tend to be very conservative and so would have given the tree a couple of years in the ground. It would then give the tree a lot more vigour and hopefully more finer branches and then the thick branches can be sacrificed. I have to agree that the straight section was not very pretty.
Putting it in the ground was a choice but I have found the actual genetics of this variety make it a difficult species to ramify regardless of the relative trunk and branch sizes. Cheers Matt :)
My personal choice would be to remove the thick top and use one of the other branches as a leader. I wouldn’t remove any other branch for now 👍
I think you are right on that - I might look at it in September for the next branch reduction removal :)
Everything happens for a reason. Onwards and upwards 😊
Very encouraging - when when one door closes...you stub your toe :)
I like it ! Looks great can’t wait to see it in leaf 👍
Hi Gerardo - it always looks good in 'big' red maple leaf :)
Good analysis. Think you got it right.
Thanks for that :)
Hiya Xav, long time I know! Sorry! I’ve only kept up with Guy recently but as I did some Acer repotting today I thought I’d see what you were up to. I wouldn’t think you’ve seen a mature atropurpureum Dissectum?! They just love to mound up layer upon layer into a gorgeous great hummock. I’ve had a bee in my bonnet about people trying ( unsuccessfully) to make shrubs into bonsai trees and I would say this is a case in point. Yes please go with your instinct n cut that middle piece right down n sympathetically develop what’s left. I bet you’ve already done it actually! btw please don’t say you don’t like a tree in front of them, but I’ve had plenty of success over the years by saying loudly behind their backs that their days are numbered if they don’t…….insert whatever is required! It’s not just me but many other gardeners I’ve had the honour of working with 🥰 God bless you Xav. ✌️🇷🇺☮️🇺🇦✌️. ✌️🇮🇱🤍✌️
Great to hear your views as always Gaye :)
I really enjoyed the video.first time I've seen you on my feed.take off the thick leader completely
Thank you for giving me a chance. I am only a hobbyist at heart so most of my videos and trees reflect that. I just love this bonsai community and enjoy having a chance to share with others. What sort of bonsai do you have?
I had a cultivar such as this, very long internodes, I gave up in the end and just pot it in a big pot and using it for a garden plant now😅
That seems to be the best plan - shame i am stubborn though :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat 😂🤣😅
Looks way better without the very long 'trunk'....
It was a pleasant surprise when the break forced me to remove it. It is amazing how we can hang on to unsuitable designs just because we get used to how it looks :)
I mean your front is kind of set with the nebari, but i'd still take out the straight middle part, and then maybe wrap and try to wire the two side branches a bit up
That is definitely the way to go. Interesting that you have had success with these. I clearly don't have that magic touch required :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Dont say that, in my last wiring session i broke multiple important branches on my maples😂😂
Lowest branch is best angle. Sprout a new leader from it.
Now that is a thought for the future - I will keep this comment in my notes. Thanks :)
My was growing in pot 1,5 m. a year I'm making small shohine size and I was using weight of branch to put her where I want it so in 8 years I have now twisty 15-18cm. of trunk and very small branches on place's I wanted. But I have 3 more straight ones and yes problem with them is ramifications. But I'm shohine lover so I dont need that much branches on max.20cm. tree.
I like the suggestion. I have 3 or 4 more of these (smaller) and I think I may just follow your example and cut them right down for future shohin. thanks :)
My opinion, just from a few personal experiences/failures and a lot of You tube videos, would be to remove the straight branch you don't like in the center, then regrow the top. My experience is minimal to say the least!
Maybe minimal experience? But your advice is spot on. Thanks :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat So nice to hear! 🙏🏼
I lìke your version of 'doing a Nigel' on the roots.
I fear he is far more adventurous than me with removal technique. But...he is the person who helped me understand just how much you can take away :)
Hopefully it will back bud and become more vigorous and ramified, I like the lower branch and I’d leave it.
Cheers mark
And one more thing in some cases you dont need to remove anything you can have 3 branches there I know it is against basic but look on some trees that are on display in big Japanese shows they have 3 branches on one place too sometimes and they are maples. And second thing if you take one of them, tree of that "kind" will look good .
You make a very good point that we all sometimes forget. nature doesn't know the 'bonsai rules' either :)
@XaviersBonsaiRetreat I was struggling with one tree .It had multiple branches on one spot, but then I saw the winner of Japanese maples on Kokofuen, and I was studying it up close and guess what, they had multiple branches on one spot too and not small ones but big branches like first or second one. And no one cares they win so prestige show .
I take the rest of the top out ihave grown this acer and got cutting growing and airlayed it to nowpros
I am glad someone is able to master this variety - I just don't have the right touch to propagate :)
I am team remove the whole thick central trunk.
But keep the lower branch
I amd efinitely in agreement with you on that. Thanks :)
Hey Xavier in 9:59 is the Best Front 👌 habe a Look . And why do you pur it in this Big Pott ? I would have planted it in a shallow but larger pot. I Whish you luck whit this Acer ! And it Looks very Good i think 👍👍 Cheers 🍻
Thanks - Ive taken a screenshot so I dont forget the advice :)
What would I do with it? Grow it as a patio tree in nice big container. I’ve found that these don’t like being small, I can’t get ramification, I can’t really reduce the internodes, I also only get one flush of growth and then it all stops growing after the first trim back, then winter brings some dieback which loses any development I managed to get. I love Japanese maple but I have several species which really don’t lend themselves to bonsai and have ended up growing a few on now into trimmed patio trees where they do much better.
It’s good to hear that it isn’t just me, it’s the tree!
I am also glad to hear it isnt just me as well. Cheers for the advice.
Happy accidents - but it will be the method of improving the tree, Best regards Jens
I have a lovely grandaughter from an unexpected accident :)
I think this is a good tree. You could try to use the root you cut of to use as a rootcutting: you never know...
Grts
Kennet
I have had no success doing root cuttings - even with chinese elms. To be fair, this isnt a variety of maple I like.
I can't get atropurpureum to layer either. I've had a layer on a 20 something year old gatden tree & an acer Pixie which is also purple.
Coming up a year now & although the branch is alive no roots as yet. 😕
Please elt me know if you get any success - it is starting to feel like a challenge. So far I only have one person saying that they have air layered this variety.
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat will do Xavier.
Oh my.. you've get a job on your hands there.
Maybe planting at a slant could add some interest????
Good luck
Or maybe I could forget the tree and just get satisfaction from a decent glass of scotch :)
I agree , take off the thick leader.
Cheers Sharon
Leave it for now and see what comes.
It can sit there for awhile I think :)
That side were there was no branch i would have tried the side vaneer graft. I did it on 2 of my maples in mid feb only prob sap was coming out already and heard its very hard to take with sap flow like that. Next year im gonna try earlier winter.
It isn't something I have tried but that would be an option.
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat to give u an idea under mrmaple show on yt its how to graft japanese maples part 2 . Part one is good also. But part 2 they go in depth when to cut scions and grafting and aftercare. Its prob too late in the season but getting this technique to work would work wonders. I dont ever see anyone on yt try it and not sure y.
I think it’s better also 🍁
Thanks Shuan
Could you propagate by grafting to appropiate root stock.
You could get a whip for thread grafting that way.
That's definitely a possibility and not something I have ever tried. Thanks :)
I have a few trees l dislike but can't part with so l get it totally its like Shirley Bassey's "l love you hate you" song 😊 thx Xavier
I must play that song everytime I look at all my 'unwanted' trees. Every year I promise myself I will sort out the rubbish...and every year I put it off again :)
That leader has 2 other branches beside it.... I'm all for reducing the bulge those 3 are creating...
Great work my friend🎉🎉🎉
Thanks - definitely something to look at later in the year once I see how it responds to all this work.
Plant it in the garden!
It would definitely make a nicer garden tree :)
I would not touch any of those branches
My fingers will stay away till AUTUMN :)
Oh dear 😳 well you know what they say if you don't know what to do with a tree start again 😊👍
Or buy a Koi instead :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat yeh or that 😊
Have many Bonsai if you can call them that . But love the tree a's it is.. But people have different views. My favourite is the desojo. Hope I spelt that OK? My eyes are not so good on the typing.
I love the Katsura and have had some great airlayer successes. I don't have any Deshojo but am actively tryig to find a young Arakawa. Thanks for your support and comment. Cheers
Chuck it out, mate! You know you want to...
As soon a s I saw this comment I grinned really broadly. You know what is going on in my mind :)
Great video xav
I have an idea for it.
On chat 👊 tomorrow 👊
Ok
Oh😮 shit it breaks 🙈 ok Thun you Must do the tree of Zero Back and do all New! Good luck 😊
Definitely not a branch that can be wired...anymore :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat 😂😂😂 definitely 😂😂
I would have just kept the roots 🤣🤣🤣
Now that is the comment of the video - made me spit my cocopops on the computer screen :)
Chop. Boom.
Yep :)
Take the middle piece out
That definitely seems to be the best advice for me. Thank you :)
@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat reason being that the thickness of the middle piece is comparatively more than the other branches and getting rid off it will give you a start of a potential broom style bonsai .😊