Montpellier maples - Acer monspessulanum

[AlainK]

Cold stratification for 3-4 months. I've never scarified seeds.

 

[AlainK]

I removed the "exposed roots" one from the pond basket.

To my surprise, there was only one white root, about 1 cm (1/2 an inch) above the soil level, and none in this very shallow pot (1.5 cm) although the branches look very strong.

I must repot it or it will dry out in a couple of hours when the weather is hot, but I just don't have the right pot for it today. I must do it before Monday, even with a pot that doesn't really fit for size, shape and colours. I would really hate to lose this little one...

 

[Gustavo Martins]

I removed the "exposed roots" one from the pond basket.

To my surprise, there was only one white root, about 1 cm (1/2 an inch) above the soil level, and none in this very shallow pot (1.5 cm) although the branches look very strong.

I must repot it or it will dry out in a couple of hours when the weather is hot, but I just don't have the right pot for it today. I must do it before Monday, even with a pot that doesn't really fit for size, shape and colours. I would really hate to lose this little one...

View attachment 235360

Reminds me those giant walking trees from the lord of the rings. Don’t remember their name.

 

[AlainK]

I'm half-harted about the pot : it's a great pot (Erin pottery) and the tree definitely needed a bigger one, but...

At least, I hope the yellow colours in autum will be a good match.

Most of the time, we're looking for the "right pot", but it's even harder to find the right tree for a nice pot.

 

[hardtimes]

anyone got any of these for sale in the US?

 

[Geology]

Air-layering:

Veeeery difficult...

But that shouldn't stop us. I'm about to try what I did on a big Acer buregerianum : make a cut around the tree and then put a tight wire inside of it to induce a bulge so more cells can hopefully produce ùmore roots:

View attachment 107360

This one is 6/7 cm in diameter, I'll let you know if it works.

I already have one from a smaller branch, 1.5-2 cm but apart from planting it in a garden, I don't think there's much to hope from this one as bonsai:

View attachment 107365Did you have any success with this air layer? attemping one this season

 

[JudyB]

@AlainK I'd be interested to see any updates on these, esp. the exposed root one. Hope you're well!

 

[AlainK]

Hi Judy,
I gave it to someone that never gave me any news from it.
That's life...

 

[AlainK]

I've got a big one in my garden, though it's not (it was not) its natural range, and a couple as potted trees that I dare not call bonsai.

The big one has flowers, the first time in almoste 25 years : I used to prune it hard every late winter, but age being what it brings...

 

[Geology]

Nice write up Alain! I've been developing some Montpellier maples for many years now and they are definitely slow growers and brittle. I've been able to get a few to air layer in the past, they are not as quick as Japanese maples or Tridents to put out roots but they will layer. I plan to put a few layers shortly on one that I've planted out in the yard to thicken the trunk now that it has gotten to a size that I'm happy with.

I've been fortunate to have one flower a few years back and get some seedlings as a result as well.

Hello, can I ask you about these? How long do they take to layer, when successful? Ive a large tree I dont know what to do with, chop for instant effect or air layer.
Given slow growth, will roots come in the year if airlayered? Do you think I could layer and trunk chop in autumn?
Ive posted mine in a thread previous and really appreciate any advice re layering these as it is hard to come by.
Thank you