Koto Hime Maple

[Wyobonsai]

Hey guys, first post here on the forums! I ordered and just received a Koto Hime pre-bonsai from Bill Valavanis. I've been reading a lot on them the past few months but I feel like I'm still in the dark about a few things. The first being about when I should be bud pinching.

As the tree is still very young and small, and I would like it to develop quite a bit more, should I just let it grow untouched throughout this growing season, and worry about bud pinching once it's more developed? Or does bud pinching now ultimately effect how the tree will turn out?

Here are a few pictures as it sits now.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Just enjoy it and let if grow for a few years. Bud pinching is a long way down the road, and may not be necessary for a koto due the their already-short internodes.

 

[LanceMac10]

Just enjoy it and let if grow for a few years. Bud pinching is a long way down the road, and may not be necessary for a koto due the their already-short internodes.

100%.....

 

[Wyobonsai]

Wow, thanks for the advice! I can definitely sit back and enjoy it, it's a pretty little tree.

During shipping the soil got a bit dry and spilled out of the pot (1 gallon). I'd say it's half full set the moment. Should i repot into something bigger and with more soil or is it fine as is?

 

[LanceMac10]

Put your location in your profile.
Replace the soil that fell out.

 

[Eric Group]

Hey guys, first post here on the forums! I ordered and just received a Koto Hime pre-bonsai from Bill Valavanis. I've been reading a lot on them the past few months but I feel like I'm still in the dark about a few things. The first being about when I should be bud pinching.

As the tree is still very young and small, and I would like it to develop quite a bit more, should I just let it grow untouched throughout this growing season, and worry about bud pinching once it's more developed? Or does bud pinching now ultimately effect how the tree will turn out?

Here are a few pictures as it sits now.

View attachment 99506
View attachment 99507

It may be the pics, but the leaves look... Brown, and the trunk looks really dark, almost black... You sure this guy is growing and healthy?

 

[Wyobonsai]

I think it's mostly the pictures. The trunk and branches are definitely green, and the leaves are a pale yellow. I know it's growing because I've got new buds opening up but I'm not sure how healthy it is. It was shipped to me without notification so it sat in the Post Office for four days before I picked it up and the soil had dried out quite a bit.

I've only had it 2 days now so I'll see if it continues to perk up. I'll try to get some better pictures as well.

 

[base797]

I thought the same thing about the color. Here's what mine looks like today.

Patrik

 

[barrosinc]

It may be the pics, but the leaves look... Brown, and the trunk looks really dark, almost black... You sure this guy is growing and healthy?

It must be that the camera exposed using the white background to make it look 18% grey.

 

[Eric Group]

I think it's mostly the pictures. The trunk and branches are definitely green, and the leaves are a pale yellow. I know it's growing because I've got new buds opening up but I'm not sure how healthy it is. It was shipped to me without notification so it sat in the Post Office for four days before I picked it up and the soil had dried out quite a bit.

I've only had it 2 days now so I'll see if it continues to perk up. I'll try to get some better pictures as well.

Ok, it is probably good. I only have one Koto Hime and it is so small... I am just used to new JM leaves having some red on them I guess...

 

[LanceMac10]

They would be pretty pale if they opened in the box without light. Your fine.

 

[JoeR]

Did it come to you that leafed put

View attachment 99526 I thought the same thing about the color. Here's what mine looks like today.

Patrik

Mine is a different color than yours as well?

 

[Wyobonsai]

Yeah, like i said it spent at least 7 days in a box. The new leaves that are opening up have red color to them.

 

[Wyobonsai]

Yeah, out of the box the leaves were that color. I think they were just missing the sunshine.

 

[cmeg1]

I just received mine today too.Just going to leave it in the container it is in now and then put it in a grow box next season.Let grow and propagate.

 

[Wyobonsai]

How does yours look?

 

[Stickroot]

Here is my Geshki Koto.

 

[cmeg1]

How does yours look?

I added a photo to my previous post.It will color up they are just leading out is my guess.

 

[Wyobonsai]

I know they're young but mine looks kinda skimpy compared to yours.

 

[LanceMac10]

Katsura

Sango kaku

"Standard" JM
Give your tree some "soft sun" for awhile to protect your early, pale leaves. No wind either. Be patient, this is Bonsai, not gardening. As stated before, let it grow and enjoy it!!