Got a free maple. now what to do.

[dazz]

friend got it for his new house but decided not to go with it. hence i took it.

i believe its a japanese katsura maple? as stated by my friend tag on it was beyond readable.

its approaching mid summer here atm.

was thinking bigger pot and air layer?

 

[NewWorldBonsai]

Nice freebie! That will make your day.

I think you're right on target. Maybe cut a few overly large roots when you repot, the nebari has already got a really solid start.

I'll let someone who has air layered palmatum comment on the time of year etc..

Keep us updated.

 

[Ris]

Nice gift lol, your right air layer the branches where you don't need.
Best result for air layer from my own experience is to layer after leaves fill out
and the main thing is to look closer at the tree where you see those lines across the trunk,
that is where you want to remove about 1", half inch from the line in both directions.
Use #2 or #3 rooting hormone I use #3 which is very strong and works great.
I actually have a maple I will air layer soon after the leaves fill out March or so.
I use a nursery pot, slice till the bottom middle of the pot and also reduce the height of the
5 Gallon nursery pot to about 4". Acording to the size of trunk cut a hole the size to fit
close to the trunk within 1/8" to 3/8" picture a small circle in a lager the smaller being the trunk.
Ducktape the pot where you had cut, then secure the pot to a branch higher with wire on 4 sides
then used spagnum moss to fill in the space between the pot and trunk. Then use a potting mix with
pulmice for good drainage, check back in about 3 months then gently check for roots
(I place a sticker with the date it was set).

Good Luck & have fun,
Rishi.

 

[dazz]

Sweet thanks for the info.

eventually i want to significantly reduce this tree down but air layer to top ones first then systematically get to a height i want.

one problem i see on the main trunk is its too straight? not much movement on it (see photo). anyway to remedy this? i want to add some curves to it. i dont think i would be able bend it with branch benders.



the leaves have all bloomed now its mid summer here until february. good time to air layer then.
cheers for the info. 1" from either side of the lines. so 2" in total.
still got some spagnum moss and hormones somewhere.

 

[dazz]

what about cutting propagation? there are a few new branches that i wont need.

 

[Ris]

Sweet thanks for the info.

eventually i want to significantly reduce this tree down but air layer to top ones first then systematically get to a height i want.

one problem i see on the main trunk is its too straight? not much movement on it (see photo). anyway to remedy this? i want to add some curves to it. i dont think i would be able bend it with branch benders.

View attachment 29507

the leaves have all bloomed now its mid summer here until february. good time to air layer then.
cheers for the info. 1" from either side of the lines. so 2" in total.
still got some spagnum moss and hormones somewhere.

You can air layer now in you climate. You're total fit would be 1".
1/2" from the line up & down total cut 1". Layer low then grow new leader
Branches.