Mulberry volunteers, best for beginners...

[Forsoothe!]

Here's a volunteer about 3 seasons old when dug with the horseradish this spring. It's 8 or 9 inches and budding out all over with a 3-bud array at each node. I choose to save the buds that point in the best direction and remove all others to encourage buds elsewhere. It's working...

I hang earrings made of coiled wire to weigh down the soft green twigs early in the process. The wire size and length allow perfect the weight for each and can be moved around easily as the twigs grow, sometimes every other day or so. I don't let anything grow that is not part of the ultimate design of informal upright. Regular wiring will take over when the twigs get woody. All the early branches will be lower branches and be horizontal. When they are all heavy enough a rounded crown will be grown.

 

[PA_Penjing]

I also use weights on new growth (strictly deciduous). I got a hold of a big box of free lead weights for fishing. Appreciate the approach and use of free vigorous material.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Update after two more days...


Still looks like a dumb system, but you can see it works and all these branches can be grown out some distance and only tiny buds have been discarded. Waste not, want not!

 

[stu929]

How long did it take to bud? I dug up a large yamadori mulberry and I have not seen any buds yet.

 

[Hartinez]

How long did it take to bud? I dug up a large yamadori mulberry and I have not seen any buds yet.

When did you dig it up?

 

[Joe Dupre']

Mulberries are in my top 3 or 4 bonsai species. They grow FAST. I normally let them grow almost untouched for half of the first summer. More shoots means more roots in less time which leads to a healthier tree sooner. Your system looks like it's working fine, though, so keep it up!

 

[stu929]

Here's my big mulberry. Not sure if I'm going to cut it any shorter or not.

 

[Forsoothe!]

How long did it take to bud? I dug up a large yamadori mulberry and I have not seen any buds yet.

It's in the greenhouse. Outside all are asleep.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Ta Da....

 

[Forsoothe!]

I should have added this...

 

[Forsoothe!]

More growth, and predictably heavier on the upper branches...

So, trimmed the upper lots and none on the lowers...

Will go outdoors tomorrow.

 

[stu929]

Mine I'd finally starting to bud out. Wondering if I should throw it in a small greenhouse. My dad just gave my a small one he picked up at Aldi.

 

[Forsoothe!]

No, leave it out and enjoy a really tough tree.

 

[stu929]

No, leave it out and enjoy a really tough tree.

By bud I mean the first starting points for branches. Mine was dug up a little late in just excited to see it's fighting. Unfortunately My american hornbeam I dug up around the same time has not shown any life yet. That the only one I really want to make sure lives.

Our weather has been all over. 40 one day 90 a couple days later then back to 30 two or three days later so between that and my rookie ability digging things up I was worried about the trees. Really hoping the hornbeam makes is.

 

[Forsoothe!]

By bud I mean the first starting points for branches. Mine was dug up a little late in just excited to see it's fighting. Unfortunately My american hornbeam I dug up around the same time has not shown any life yet. That the only one I really want to make sure lives.

Our weather has been all over. 40 one day 90 a couple days later then back to 30 two or three days later so between that and my rookie ability digging things up I was worried about the trees. Really hoping the hornbeam makes is.

You've done all the normal stuff, now let the trees do the work they have to do recombobulting the balance between roots and sun gathering equipment. Partial sun and no drought is all they need until they show enough growth to increase sun.