Arakawa Japanese Maple

[MACH5]

Is defoliation an option?

I assume you are referring to full defoliation and not partial outer canopy defoliation? With young arakawas it might be ok. Even then I would proceed with caution. Absolutely zero chance doing it to this tree at this point.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Guess its being shown in leaf!

 

[MACH5]

Guess its being shown in leaf!

Yeah...

 

[badatusernames]

Judy said the same. I am thinking about submitting it to the Nationals. I honestly hate showing maples in leaf... yeah I know is my own weird issue!

I get it - quite the silhouette when it’s leafless!

 

[shohin_branches]

I really wish the US had more large winter shows to show off deciduous bonsai.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Thanks for the answers about pinching. I'm in the phase of slowing down with one of my arakawa's. The result was okay last year but since it's a smaller tree I have to be careful...

 

[MACH5]

I really wish the US had more large winter shows to show off deciduous bonsai.

I am currently working with someone to hopefully organize one for the Northeast US area but open to anyone. That may still be a few years away. Hopefully less.

 

[MACH5]

Arakawa today. Budding this spring quite evenly throughout. Very happy!

 

[Mike Westervelt]

What a fantastic bonsai, reminds me of a tree in a well established urban park of 100+ years.

 

[Don Blackmond]

Thanks Bri! As you can imagine, it has become a real balancing act now trying to maintain all parts alive and equally balanced. The buds are all same size size top to bottom for the most part. But if I slip, there goes a branch or two!

the blessing of the balancing act