hinmo24t
Masterpiece
yeah the nebari is the root base where it flares out at bottom of the trunk. grafted is when they propagate a new tree by basically inserting a piece of another tree into it.
Is this acer atropurpureum suitable for making a bonsai?
- Thread starter DixyNL
- Start date
clem
Chumono
yes, usually it is easier/quicker to graft on a palmatum type than to make cuttings, so it is intersting to show us the rootbase to check if there is a graft swelling or something like this.
DixyNL
Sapling
ok then, so how far do you want me to dig it up so i can show it accordingly to the questions?
clem
Chumono
if you are curious to see if your tree is grafted you can remove the soil surface untill you find the 1rst surface roots. If there is no swelling on the trunk it means that your tree is 100% atropurpureum and not grafted.
This way, you'll also be able to check the "nebari" (surface roots) as the nebari is of course important for the aestetics. When you buy a tree, the base of the trunk is something to check for Bonsai
Daniel son STL
Shohin
I’ve got a few varieties of maples not necessarily desirable for bonsai but can still make a bonsai from it.
Trunk too straight with unsuitable branching and no taper.... trunk chop in spring will solve all of this. Maybe not this spring though. Grow for trunk thickness first.
Large leaves... grow a larger size tree so leaves look more to scale.
DixyNL
Sapling
After carefully digging for a bit until i found some straw sized roots coming out of the tree. I found no swelling or bulging in the trunk, so this means it was not grafted right? For checking the intire root base i need to take it out of the traning pot and hose it down until there is no soil on the base right, but doing so would also mean i have to repot it after? if so what would be a good time to do that cause i find alot of diffrent info on repotting and root pruning, some say when the tree is dormant others say when its growing in late spring to mid summer(this period of time)
DixyNL
Sapling
Thanks for the tips i'll write it down and check when i decide what i am going to do with it for the next couple of months/years
Bnana
Chumono
Repotting should be done in spring before leaves appear.
But what's the problem with atropurpureum? Just that the leaves are slightly larger than some varieties?
But what's the problem with atropurpureum? Just that the leaves are slightly larger than some varieties?
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
Welcome aboard!
That’s a really tree to play with and with time you will be able to have fun practicing on it and make something surprisingly special out of it. You have to start somewhere!
Yep, I don’t see a graft at all from your photos. JFYI: They usually aren’t buried.
A really good Wedge graft looks like this.
A production landscape maple graft can look as overt at this side veneer graft.
Your tree is just inside for photos?
cheers
DSD sends
That’s a really tree to play with and with time you will be able to have fun practicing on it and make something surprisingly special out of it. You have to start somewhere!
Yep, I don’t see a graft at all from your photos. JFYI: They usually aren’t buried.
A really good Wedge graft looks like this.
A production landscape maple graft can look as overt at this side veneer graft.
Your tree is just inside for photos?
cheers
DSD sends
DixyNL
Sapling
Thanks ! Oh now i see what it looks like if it has been grafted, that wil help in the future.
Yhea i had it indoors for 2 days due to high wind sheers on the balcony, dirt got blown out and it pulled out some new young leaves so i waited out the weather for a few days. Its back outside now.
Yhea i had it indoors for 2 days due to high wind sheers on the balcony, dirt got blown out and it pulled out some new young leaves so i waited out the weather for a few days. Its back outside now.
doctorater
Mame
Here is a lovely little Japanese Maple bonsai that is a good example of the sort of feeling you could create with your maple fairly quickly...
The work on yours would involve trimming off some or all of the high branches and repotting into an appropriate container at a nice angle. Then, hopefully, your healthy tree will quickly grow out new leaves to fill back in (it will look kind of empty at first after you prune back the branches).
The work on yours would involve trimming off some or all of the high branches and repotting into an appropriate container at a nice angle. Then, hopefully, your healthy tree will quickly grow out new leaves to fill back in (it will look kind of empty at first after you prune back the branches).
Bnana
Chumono
I believe this one is grown on its own roots pretty commonly so it's likely that there is no graft.
clem
Chumono
good inspiration pic, but with a Bonsai beginner, i wouldn't advise to do the same : the roots would have to be cut very very strong to fit in a so flat pot, and the cultivation skills is "high" to keep the tree alive and growing in such a pot. (very frequent waterings).. So, IMO, good inspiration source for the future, but not for next spring
doctorater
Mame
Absolutely, tree would have to go in pot close to same size as current pot, couldn't go flat at all now. Still could look very nice.
cmsheehan
Sapling
Beautiful tree!
Yannick81
Seedling
If you wish to launch yourself into a new hobby, then this tree could be your first attempt. I say attempt because I as a beginner would attest bonsai being art. Artists sometimes make mistakes, scramble, retry and so forth.
I don't think there are bad trees for a beginners. If you can find beauty in the plant, then it's all that counts. I bought my Acer Purpureum at a supermarket last year. Lidl offered beautiful Acers 3 weeks ago. People seem to enjoy them, since they quickly sold out.
However I would start by investing into a pot, wire, professional soil and fertilizer. As the first step I would only set the goal to have the tree develop roots in your new pot, while developing Nebari. After that is done make up your mind how to shape your tree and thoroughly research before making major changes.
Hope this helps. Enjoy.
I don't think there are bad trees for a beginners. If you can find beauty in the plant, then it's all that counts. I bought my Acer Purpureum at a supermarket last year. Lidl offered beautiful Acers 3 weeks ago. People seem to enjoy them, since they quickly sold out.
However I would start by investing into a pot, wire, professional soil and fertilizer. As the first step I would only set the goal to have the tree develop roots in your new pot, while developing Nebari. After that is done make up your mind how to shape your tree and thoroughly research before making major changes.
Hope this helps. Enjoy.
Joe Dupre'
Omono
As someone who makes the majority of his bonsai from bare stumps, yes, this tree would make a bonsai. If you're willing to invest several years into it, I say give it a try. Remember, this is just one tree. There will be other, better trees. Experiment with it while building your skills and collection. I always say, "Failure is also a learning experience.".
WNC Bonsai
Masterpiece
Don’t listen to naysayers and dogmatic nitpickers who tell you it can’t be done. You need to decide what you want this tree to look like and then start on the design from there. As others have suggested it may require some work such as air layering above a gnarly graft and also to create better nebari, some cutbacks to create taper and movement, and a number of years to get there but with bonsai the journey is as important as the end result.
Often it is not about dogmas, good starting material will help develop better trees faster leading to more sense of accomplishment. I have two bloodgood / atropurpureums and neither gives me anything while my Katsura in less time looks 10 times better.
Internode length being the bigger issue.
Internode length being the bigger issue.
