Is this acer atropurpureum suitable for making a bonsai?

[DixyNL]

Hey, so someone gifted me this beautiful atropurpureum for on the balcony of my new apartment. And now i was wondering if this can be made into a bonsai. It is already quite high about 40-50cm inculding the pot, and i was wondering if i should try to layer so that i can grow a more sutiable one. Or should i just let it grow for some time (it has alot of new healty growth) and just prune it a bit when it goes dormant to keep the size im check?

I really dont know alot about maples so any given advice is really helpful.

 

[hinmo24t]

thats looks like a sweet (cool) maple! and from what i know it appears like it could be a nice bonsai

 

[doctorater]

Are you sure that's not, you know, marijuana?

 

[DixyNL]

Are you sure that's not, you know, marijuana?

hahahaha well i would not mind, since it is legal here to keep a few. making money on it though is XD

 

[doctorater]

In seriousness, that's clearly a nice tree. Lots of options for getting its progress as bonsai started. I'm no maple expert, but I know there are plenty of those around. Hopefully they'll pop in and give some tips.

 

[TomB]

Grow it in a big pot on your balcony, it will look great. Rubbish for bonsai.

 

[TomB]

And before anyone asks, dead straight trunk, no taper, pencil thin, unsuitable branching, long internodes, large leaves, variety that doesn’t tend to make good bonsai.

 

[DixyNL]

And before anyone asks, dead straight trunk, no taper, pencil thin, unsuitable branching, long internodes, large leaves, variety that doesn’t tend to make good bonsai.

Wel ok then,thanks for the heads up. Stil is it possible to layer a branch (when ever it has grown a bit) and start with it anew from there on out. Or is it just the specimen that doesnt really work as a bonsai ?

 

[hinmo24t]

And before anyone asks, dead straight trunk, no taper, pencil thin, unsuitable branching, long internodes, large leaves, variety that doesn’t tend to make good bonsai.

while i dont doubt your points, i remember Nigel Saunders who is well regarded downplaying curved trunk. he does go for taper, but prefers straight trunks. thankfully this is a bonsai forum :x

 

[TomB]

Wel ok then,thanks for the heads up. Stil is it possible to layer a branch (when ever it has grown a bit) and start with it anew from there on out. Or is it just the specimen that doesnt really work as a bonsai ?

Yes you can air layer it, but this isn’t one of the more desirable varieties.

 

[Mikecheck123]

TomB nailed it. This is one of the most popular landscaping plants in the world, but I've never seen one as a decent bonsai.

 

[doctorater]

DixyNL, I was afraid of this, answers by experts or experienced bonsaiists look at the material through the perspective of the expert or experienced bonsaiist. I don't disagree with the responses above, except that they may not be seeing the question from your perspective. I assume you are new to bonsai and are not looking to create a world-class bonsai specimen, but want to enjoy creating a pleasant bonsai with the material you have on hand. You can certainly do this with the Japanese Maple you have. If this is what you're after let us know and I, or someone else, will try to provide you the information you seek.

 

[ShadyStump]

Ditto doctorater's sentiments. If you're going for shows, maybe not the best material. If it's for you, anything goes.
Especially if you feel you have the time to invest in it. Right now, not great bonsai. A few years from now, no problem.

 

[j evans]

Bottom line, do what you want to do to have fun. Enjoy!

 

[William N. Valavanis]

So, Japanese Red Maple is not suitable for bonsai? My student, Harvey Carapella and I did not know that and went ahead and trained this award winning tree. Good thing we did not read the post about this cultivar being unsuitable. For those who have not seen a decent Japanese Red Maple bonsai, here is one. First photo from 2010 and the second photo 2018.

2010


2018

 

[doctorater]

So, Japanese Red Maple is not suitable for bonsai? My student, Harvey Carapella and I did not know that and went ahead and trained this award winning tree. Good thing we did not read the post about this cultivar being unsuitable. For those who have not seen a decent Japanese Red Maple bonsai, here is one. First photo from 2010 and the second photo 2018.
View attachment 312966
2010

View attachment 312967
2018

Those are beautiful.

 

[doctorater]

Those are beautiful.

 

[clem]

Is it grafted ? can you show a pic of the nebari ?
you can do almost everything with this young tree : a tall and thin literati, clip & grow, airlayer etc

 

[DixyNL]

DixyNL, I was afraid of this, answers by experts or experienced bonsaiists look at the material through the perspective of the expert or experienced bonsaiist. I don't disagree with the responses above, except that they may not be seeing the question from your perspective. I assume you are new to bonsai and are not looking to create a world-class bonsai specimen, but want to enjoy creating a pleasant bonsai with the material you have on hand. You can certainly do this with the Japanese Maple you have. If this is what you're after let us know and I, or someone else, will try to provide you the information you seek.

That is indeed what i am looking for i am in no way experianced in bonsai and prob wil not be for alot of years. I am just looking for some training and having fun in my spare time, i figured bonsai is all about how you feel when taking care of it for a long time andnursing something you helped grow.

 

[DixyNL]

Is it grafted ? can you show a pic of the nebari ?
you can do almost everything with this young tree : a tall and thin literati, clip & grow, airlayer etc

Help me with the termenolgy here a bit, you want to see the rootbase? And i am sorry but i dont know what grafted means.. xD