Japanese Larch paper lanterns

[ConsequentlyNo]

Looking for any advice on this. I plan to top chop in spring to shorten, and make into two trees. But wondering if should remove the cones or if those are the dried buds that will rebloom in spring? Never had a larch and new to bonsai.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Nice Larch!

Also... Wisconsin?!?!

Whose study group “turf” are you in?

There is MUCH potential here.. and I’d like to open a dialogue to discuss it...

But I have a few questions..

One.. how “bendy” is that trunk at the bottom?

You said you’d like to chop and make into two specimens... are you familiar with the process of air-layering?

For the trunk/roots that exist NOW, AND after the chop.. what is your overall design or vision for THIS (the “bottom”) tree?

 

[ConsequentlyNo]

Idk what mean by study group lol.... But I want to start to make an up right with bottom half or something bendy havent decided fully yet, and rest gonna try to regrow and make into a forest fingers crossed.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Idk what mean by study group lol.... But I want to start to make an up right with bottom half or something bendy havent decided fully yet, and rest gonna try to regrow and make into a forest fingers crossed.

Well by bendy i just meant pliable enough to ADD a little movement to what is there.. but upon some closer observation.. I think the existing movement is perfect for what you’ve outlined.. Look into air-layering larches... look into hardwood cuttings.. actually.. just give me a second.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Layering and a good read

Larch Bonsai Styling and Airlayering

Larch Bonsai Styling and Airlayering

bonsai4me.com

Cuttings

https://www.hunker.com/13428981/how-to-grow-a-larch-tree-from-a-cutting

What I meant about study groups is: if you are close to NorthEastern Wisconsin.. you could consider joining the study group that I operate/am a part of.. itssss HIGHLY “digital” these days due to health reasons.. but give it some consideration anyways.

 

[ConsequentlyNo]

Layering and a good read

Larch Bonsai Styling and Airlayering

Larch Bonsai Styling and Airlayering

bonsai4me.com

Cuttings

https://www.hunker.com/13428981/how-to-grow-a-larch-tree-from-a-cutting

What I meant about study groups is: if you are close to NorthEastern Wisconsin.. you could consider joining the study group that I operate/am a part of.. itssss HIGHLY “digital” these days due to health reasons.. but give it some consideration anyways.

Oh thank you will definently check link out and I am in mid west Wisconsin.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Oh thank you will definently check link out and I am in mid west Wisconsin.

Cool cool!

I used to live over there, kind of, also. In the Stanley-Boyd area.. near Chippewa falls, somewhat.

 

[LittleDingus]

But wondering if should remove the cones or if those are the dried buds that will rebloom in spring? Never had a larch and new to bonsai.

In your closeup, the knuckles along the branches are buds not cones. Do not remove them! That is where new leaves will emerge.

Here's one of mine (occidentalis) with needles just starting to emerge.



Hopefully the images are clear enough.

Hopefully others will chime in, but my understanding is larches do not back bud reliably. Remove those buds and you may be left with bare branches!

I received 2. One I left in the plug it came in and left outside. The other I repotted and brought into the cool basement in a bright south east window. That's the one that's budding out in the pictures above. When repotting it, it was clear that mine are ~18" branch tips shoved into a 2" plug. The one I repotted was well rooted along an ~3" length of stem so apparently they can be struck from cuttings I've never tried it myself, though, so I don't know what the timing/protocol is beyond the general techniques used for most trees.

Good luck with yours...and welcome!

 

[JesusFreak]

My Japanese larch was grafted. Do you think I should ground layer or air layer it. It’s a beautiful tree

 

[leatherback]

Indeed, there are the buds. Cones are about an inch tall and wide .

With a tree as young as yours you can shape the whole thing any which way you like. Just use decent strength aluminium wire, wrap it carefully and bend it up.
I would not try and layer this. If you look at forestry dealers, you can get young plants for very little money (I bought 2 bundles of 25 pieces last year here at a forestry nursery for 75 euros or so). Bare-rooted and tied together I had to go through them and select the best ones. But.. For that sort of money it is hardly worth it to try and layer.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

South window with lights to.

...This guy too?

 

[ConsequentlyNo]

...This guy too?

Yes

 

[HorseloverFat]

Ok are your plans similar to the Parvifolia? As far as... your Larch is going to “wake up” soon.. if air temps are higher than 40(ish) degrees..
These species are temperate and require a period (over/around 40 days) of temperatures which are above freezing but below 40(ish) degrees, for “dormancy” each season.. now outdoors, these days are EASILY accomplished by early and late winter days.. around transitional seasons...(In OUR climate) Are you Zone 4? I’m 5b but when I leaved closer to Minnesota it was 4..

Basically.. That larix is probably rated to stand our winters with just a tad of protection.

You said you had planned on moving the Elm outdoors...so I’m assuming you have outdoor “space”... If it were me.. I would transition the Larch outside now.. but it’s a weird tango for a beginner...So that’s kind of your decision to make. leaving it until spring won’t KILL it.. I don’t think.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Also.. coldframe-style apparatuses (unheated garages/sheds, even basements between 30-40 degrees work)are VERY helpful to “cold-climate” growers.. You can “construct” them to.. for pretty dang cheap. I have a couple cold frame operations.

Like this above ground, plywood/plexiglass number... the temps OUTSIDE are 17(ish) degrees. But inside this bad boy.. we are sittin at...

 

[ConsequentlyNo]

Update. Gonna wire branches and top a little more tomorrow.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Am I seeing those paintbrush buds pop? Looks like it’s going to need to stay inside or at least non freezing ...

 

[ConsequentlyNo]

Am I seeing those paintbrush buds pop? Looks like it’s going to need to stay inside or at least non freezing ...

Yeah gonna keep inside till freezing temps are done.

 

[ConsequentlyNo]

Update!

 

[HorseloverFat]

Hehe!

He’s confused... looking good though.

Those new growth areas are gonna start “starving for light” soon...get it close to that window, drop lights if you have them.

I’m really hoping this guy can “jive” until his transition outdoors, He’s got a lot going for him.



Also a friendly piece of advice, from someone who has made the (Seemingly)same “perceptual error”... when you are wiring/setting your branches... you gotta look at the branch, not the wire... you gotta look where the wire is GOING .. not where it is... it’s common to start seeing the “wrap” as the shape of the branch itself...