Air Layer Shohin Cherry — Will It Survive?

[Grunge_Bonsai]

I think there is a classification of moves I have made thus far in my fledgling bonsai venture where I have scratched my head and said, “cavalier, or stupid?”

I actually want that on a T-Shirt. It’s a koan.

Anyway, I moved fast to plant the pictured cherry tree air layer into 1/3 bonsai gritty general mix and 2/3 coco coir. I originally wanted to keep all of the top growth pictured, but in wiring it (you guessed it) SNAP.

I know pain is a great teacher, but sheesh. I decided to double down on my “cavalier or stupid” mindset and wire it as pictured. Not sure what the future holds for it at this point.

Is this a dead tree, or does the foliage reduction match the new root ball? Give it to me straight.

Thanks as always,

 

[hemmy]

Is this a dead tree, or does the foliage reduction match the new root ball? Give it to me straight.

You might be better off with less foliage. How long after it was airlayered? I see the roots poking out, but it’s tough to tell if there are a lot of roots or not.

 

[gooeytek]

I've seen someone grab some clippings from right at cherry blossom season and stick those in water, then into the ground after some roots formed. I think it'll be fine.

 

[Grunge_Bonsai]

Indeed it is — update as new shoots grow. Looks like some good material to work with maybe good potential. I am going to gently wire that top branch up and corkscrew it around a bit, let the lower branches get a little bit of wood before, maybe adding some gentle movement there?

Probably not even necessary if they will not be the final refined branches.

I expect a lot more growth, so hard to tell what will actually be kept, and if there is any point in wiring any lower branches until the trunkline is established. Maybe just that top branch for now.

 

[Grunge_Bonsai]

Update - several healthy trees in play now. Pruned back a lot of the initial branches to encourage some shorter internodes on the cherry. Gently wired some branches but still ended up with just a bit of wire scarring in a couple of places.

Letting a big sacrifice grow out from the base. Plan is to let that add to girth at the base and chop later, probably next Spring.