Arakawa Maple from Cutting

miker said:
On the subject of late fall defoliation; is this done for aesthetics mainly or to make for a more tidy and disease free environment when putting trees in winter quarters? All my trees are bare now except for a few on my large JM and my Southern sugar maple (btw excellent fall color on this one up here) and I figure I will let the leaves fall off or freeze off then keep especially the sugar maple in conditions suitable for zone 7 bonsai.
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I've only been doing bonsai a little under 2 years, so I don't have much experience with late fall defoliation, but I gave it a shot this year for the reasons you mentioned and because I wanted to wire a couple of them before it got wicked cold.

I have two elms and a kiyohime that are still super green, so I'm giving them a little more time.
 
D
Grant Hamby said:
I've only been doing bonsai a little under 2 years, so I don't have much experience with late fall defoliation, but I gave it a shot this year for the reasons you mentioned and because I wanted to wire a couple of them before it got wicked cold.

I have two elms and a kiyohime that are still super green, so I'm giving them a little more time.
Click to expand...
Depending on your climate, your Elm might not drop it's leaves, FYI.
This is my first year with an Elm, it's looking like mine is gonna keep all the leaves, where I'm keeping it (in my garage).
 
just.wing.it said:
D

Depending on your climate, your Elm might not drop it's leaves, FYI.
This is my first year with an Elm, it's looking like mine is gonna keep all the leaves, where I'm keeping it (in my garage).
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Okay that's good to know. One of them was with me last winter and kept most of its leaves, so I'm glad that's okay.
 
miker said:
On the subject of late fall defoliation; is this done for aesthetics mainly or to make for a more tidy and disease free environment when putting trees in winter quarters? All my trees are bare now except for a few on my large JM and my Southern sugar maple (btw excellent fall color on this one up here) and I figure I will let the leaves fall off or freeze off then keep especially the sugar maple in conditions suitable for zone 7 bonsai.
Click to expand...


Fall defoliation is/can be done in anticipation of the impending mess, specially if you have a lot of maples. I usually don't bother and do a thorough cleaning of the garden every week with a leaf blower and then on hands and knees picking up what's left. It is a therapeutic activity for me. :rolleyes:

Nice tree Grant. I love arakawa!! BTW one of the most sun scorch resistant cultivars around.
 
MACH5 said:
Fall defoliation is/can be done in anticipation of the impending mess, specially if you have a lot of maples. I usually don't bother and do a thorough cleaning of the garden every week with a leaf blower and then on hands and knees picking up what's left. It is a therapeutic activity for me. :rolleyes:

Nice tree Grant. I love arakawa!! BTW one of the most sun scorch resistant cultivars around.
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I always hear you talk about how great they are for bonsai, so I'm glad to have one! Also, I have no game plan for this tree, so as it develops, I will definitely come to you for some guidance!
 
Grant Hamby said:
I always hear you talk about how great they are for bonsai, so I'm glad to have one! Also, I have no game plan for this tree, so as it develops, I will definitely come to you for some guidance!
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Grant keep in mind that as arakawa get their rough bark, it becomes more difficult (if not impossible) for them to bud back on the mature bark. Plan ahead and keep those shoots and branches closer to the trunk healthy so you will have something to cut back to in the future. Thankfully though, you can always resort to approach or thread grafting if all else is not possible.
 
MACH5 said:
Grant keep in mind that as arakawa get their rough bark, it becomes more difficult (if not impossible) for them to bud back on the mature bark. Plan ahead and keep those shoots and branches closer to the trunk healthy so you will have something to cut back to in the future. Thankfully though, you can always resort to approach or thread grafting if all else is not possible.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll definitely keep all that in mind. I'm having a hard time seeing the bonsai within at this stage, so if you see any potential paths, I'm very open to suggestions! I think I would like to shoot for a finished height of 18-24", but if the tree lends itself to a different size as it develops, I'll adapt!
 
Grant Hamby said:
Thanks! I'll definitely keep all that in mind. I'm having a hard time seeing the bonsai within at this stage, so if you see any potential paths, I'm very open to suggestions! I think I would like to shoot for a finished height of 18-24", but if the tree lends itself to a different size as it develops, I'll adapt!
Click to expand...


I think too early to tell. If you want to add some movement on the trunk that's fine. It's never a bad idea and never too early for that. Otherwise I would let it be for now and see based on its growth what design opportunities may present themselves.
 
You sure this is arakawa? My cuttings are fully barked up by that size. I don't see any bark at all.
 
MichaelS said:
You sure this is arakawa? My cuttings are fully barked up by that size. I don't see any bark at all.
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I'm taking @Stickroot 's word for it. I've seen pics of the ALLEGED parent tree and it's definitely arakawa. Lol ;)

And the trunk is only about 1/2" thick.
 
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