AP Koto Maru

[Larz]

Hello, new member here. What a great resource! I have dabbled in bonsai for years but aside for a successful air-layer of a Japanese Maple, I'm really a newbie. I have never seriously styled a tree. I have a bunch of small trees in pots, but that ain't bonsai...

Here is a Koto Maro with a thick trunk I got a few year back. I really like the tiny leaves. I haven't done anything to it, pretty obvious. What can I do with this? I am willing to chop, but I will have to sedate my wife first!

I know it needs a ton of work, just looking for some guidance. I am in south east Virginia, so curious of the best timing to work this.

Your help would be appreciated!

 

[Larz]

Reading through forums and articles and I think I have an approach. First, air layer (blue) and get a starter tree with possibilities by next spring.

Then work the roots some (cut back 30%?) on what's left in the pot and chop at the red line, see what grows from there. This would happen next year after the layer comes off.

Any words of experience for that plan? Also, if I chop the trunk low and there are no buds or branches, will new buds emerge? I've only seen examples of chops above leader branches.

 

[Oerc201]

How is this doing? Did you follow through with the plan?