Japanese Maple Clump 1

Shogun610 · May 31, 2025

Starting a thread to document the work on this Japanese Maple clump , has a lot of work to go. I acquired this at the studio I apprentice at. Needs work on developing branches and closing some wounds on apex and some smaller trunk. I want to develop clumps of other deciduous natives and conifers so I will be working towards more of those in future.
Here is a picture of the front and back followed by some areas that need work. I foresee doing some thread grafting along with some more judicious cuts come fall or next spring . If it’s healthy I want to repot as well into a yellow or blue Hattori pot.
I’m also playing around with backgrounds so this is a baby blue back drop.

I will take more photos as it moves into fall. Right now im focusing on health fertilizing making sure it gets good shade when needed as well. Anytime ill be cutting I’m dousing my tools in antiseptic wash on this one to prevent any spreadable diseases

Shibui · Jun 1, 2025

That's a gnarly small JM clump. Your nursery has good stock!

Shohin bonsai are difficult enough - keeping them alive in small pots as well as keeping internodes tight to develop good ramification. Shohin JM are even more difficult because of the strong Spring shoots.
Maybe I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs but don't be afraid to remove stronger Spring shoots entirely. That forces some better behaved Summer growth that can be used to much better effect in the design.
Love the starting material and your plan for the future.

Shogun610 · Jun 1, 2025

Shibui said:
That's a gnarly small JM clump. Your nursery has good stock!

Shohin bonsai are difficult enough - keeping them alive in small pots as well as keeping internodes tight to develop good ramification. Shohin JM are even more difficult because of the strong Spring shoots.
Maybe I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs but don't be afraid to remove stronger Spring shoots entirely. That forces some better behaved Summer growth that can be used to much better effect in the design.
Love the starting material and your plan for the future.

Thanks M8 , I know you have a vast knowledge about maples. You mean some that lanky spring growth I can cut back? Some of that is on a weak branch … I think I might slip some bigger leaves to make sure it doesn’t shade out entirely inner growth ..

Shibui · Jun 2, 2025

good point to leave some stronger shoots on weaker branches until the weak branches gain some strength.
Definitely cut back lanky Spring growth. It's now Summer or close to so new shoots should be less vigorous with shorter internodes and therefore much better to develop ramification on smaller trees.
Most instructions say to cut Spring shoots back to 1 or 2 pairs of leaves. That's OK for larger trees but if the Spring shoot has a long first internode you then have no chance to develop ramification in that bare part of the shoot. Better to cut back close to the base to get rid of long internodes. New shoots will grow from the base of the shoots but the new shoots will usually be much less vigorous with much shorter internodes which is exactly what you need for smaller trees. This is much like decandling black pines - new shoot is removed close to the base which results in a cluster of smaller shoots.

Did you pinch early shoots as they opened? I think the Japanese term is Metsumi? That's another technique that helps reduce internode length in early Spring shoots, especially on Japanese maple.

Shogun610 · Sunday at 6:41 PM

Shibui said:
good point to leave some stronger shoots on weaker branches until the weak branches gain some strength.
Definitely cut back lanky Spring growth. It's now Summer or close to so new shoots should be less vigorous with shorter internodes and therefore much better to develop ramification on smaller trees.
Most instructions say to cut Spring shoots back to 1 or 2 pairs of leaves. That's OK for larger trees but if the Spring shoot has a long first internode you then have no chance to develop ramification in that bare part of the shoot. Better to cut back close to the base to get rid of long internodes. New shoots will grow from the base of the shoots but the new shoots will usually be much less vigorous with much shorter internodes which is exactly what you need for smaller trees. This is much like decandling black pines - new shoot is removed close to the base which results in a cluster of smaller shoots.

Did you pinch early shoots as they opened? I think the Japanese term is Metsumi? That's another technique that helps reduce internode length in early Spring shoots, especially on Japanese maple.

I didn’t pinch back any new growth , as it was something I wanted to make sure was healthy .. but yes I see your point I want to cut back but I fear the sun is going to be harsh with bare new fleshy growth I’ve seen some scorched leaves on some of my
deciduous .. I’m working on sourcing a shade netting to set up

Japanese Maple Clump 1

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