Emperor I ok for bonsai?

[Mdpap1974]

Hi,

I found an “emperor I Wolfe” JM that I’m feeling but am concerned that leaf size may not reduce. Does anyone have bonsai experience with this cultivar?

The plan is to grow out the tree to thicken the trunk while developing the branches I intend to keep, and then chop the sacrifice branches at the red lines in the pic. I may chop more proximally and develop an apex if the white arrow bud develops.

Long term vision is similar to sketch. Will the leaves reduce?

Thanks,

Marios

PS I realize it’s a grafted specimen. Right now I’m limited to nursery stock.

 

[coltranem]

I don't know about this culivar for bonsai but if it has big leaves and internodes You'll want to shoot for a larger final tree.

If you are limited to Hone Depot or material see if they carry regular green japanese maples. They won't be grafted. Or look at other species like azaleas and boxwoods.

 

[crab apple]

Air layer above the graft

 

[Eckhoffw]

The start of a nice nebari on that one.
What do they want for them?

 

[coltranem]

If you really want a Japanese maple you could try Evergreen Gardenworks. Brent grows cultivars specifically for bonsai from cuttings (no graft). I have gotten great trees from Brent.

If you do not mind grafts check out Mendiicino Maples or Mr. Maple. They will have better cultivars for bonsai than home depot in general. I don't have experience with these vendors but have heard good things.

 

[Mdpap1974]

Air layer above the graft

Thanks for the comment. I’m planning to air layer the sacrifice branches in stages, but I don’t want to risk losing the existing nebari.

 

[Mdpap1974]

If you really want a Japanese maple you could try Evergreen Gardenworks. Brent grows cultivars specifically for bonsai from cuttings (no graft). I have gotten great trees from Brent.

If you do not mind grafts check out Mendiicino Maples or Mr. Maple. They will have better cultivars for bonsai than home depot in general. I don't have experience with these vendors but have heard good things.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I’ve got boxwoods, barberries, and small spruces coming out of my ears lol. The dream is to road trip to a large maple farm like Davidson’s and drop some serious coin on dwarfs. Until then, I don’t want to buy any trees sight unseen. I’ll check out evergreen though. Thanks.

 

[Mdpap1974]

The start of a nice nebari on that one.
What do they want for them?

Yeah I agree. I think it was selling for $97.