Acer Homedeponium #6

[dbonsaiw]

The 5 year contest was a perfect excuse to pick up another big box maple for $15 and give it a go (I killed 4 out of the previous 5). I planted it in a 6 gallon container in Bonsai Jack universal mix.

Even though 5 years isn't that much, I let the tree grow this season and used the time to bend the trunk as it was stick straight. Way too thick for wire (at least for my wiring skills), so I used rope and progressively tightened it. Eventually I added up 20 lbs of weight. I used the upper part of the tree for leverage to bend the trunk with the rope. I assume the tree put on a substantial amount of roots as it doesn't budge even with weights hanging on it. The trunk now has some movement.

The plan is to use the roots I grew this year to power growth after the first trunk chop next spring. First repot in 2024.

I probably need more like 10 years, but happy to join the contest. I'll upload some better pics.

 

[19Mateo83]

Good job getting movement into that big boy. Should make a great entry.

 

[dbonsaiw]

A pic of the whole tree, close up of the bend and the scars from continuously tightening the rope (I will be chopping below the scars).

 

[dbonsaiw]

Fall colors

 

[dbonsaiw]

Chop chop (but still in the mulch pile).

 

[dbonsaiw]

I pruned off the larger branches in the hopes of getting some buds lower down the trunk, but left the new growth. Worst case, I will need to graft next season (5 years isn't going to be enough time).

 

[dbonsaiw]

The tree isn't exactly working with me - it's growing, but only on one side.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Did three grafts today.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Very excited to see what folks have after 5 years - not 100% what I will actually have by 2027. Here's the plan:

2024 - Weaken thread graft connections at end of season if ready. Otherwise, just grow tree out.
2025 - Repot/improve nebari with grafts. Cut branch graft connections. Chop trunk back on angle at new leader. Allow leader to grow as needed.
2026 - Repot out of grow box and into large bonsai pot. Prune back leader. Additional branch grafts as needed.
2027 - Repot into bonsai pot for presentation.

I will need more time to finish off even the trunk, and surely to get some decent branch ramification. But I would be ecstatic if the tree is around in 2027 and proceeded according to plan.

 

[19Mateo83]

Sounds like a solid plan! Coming along nicely!

 

[Dabbler]

good plan!

 

[dbonsaiw]

I pruned back some branches that were starting to shade the grafts.

 

[19Mateo83]

That sucker is looking good, very vigorous

 

[dbonsaiw]

That sucker is looking good, very vigorous

Thanks, but it's an odd bird. It simply refuses to give me a single bud below the initial chop. And now the lowest thread graft stopped extending (looks fine though). But the top is indeed growing vigorously.

 

[dbonsaiw]

A little peek into the canopy and the graft for the new leader is coming along. Other two are a little wimpier but also seem to be taking. I’ll give it a few more weeks and start to chip away at these.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Started the process of cupping away at the grafts. At least the top and bottom ones. The middle looks like it could use a little more time so I’ll leave it be for now.

 

[dbonsaiw]

cupping away at the grafts

Cutting, not cupping.

 

[dbonsaiw]

I've been scarping away the grafts little by little every week. A few more weeks and these can be cut. The middle graft is still lagging behind and I'm only now getting the swelling on the exit side. May need to leave this one on over winter.

 

[dbonsaiw]

About 3 weeks of chiseling the grafts down. Almost there. The connection seems very strong. Probably one more round of chiseling and then I’ll leave it for a week or two before severing completely.

 

[dbonsaiw]

2/3 of the grafts were severed. Giving the last one a little more time.