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Bonsai Doer
Join Date: Aug-2001
Location: Fresno, CA
Country: USA
Posts: 5,556
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The best way to make good shohin
I was able to take a few trees today that had been the subject of last years air layers. I like to take the top out of trees that are otherwise useless to me as good large bonsai, and air layer the top out of them for potential shohin subjects. The potential for good shohin far outweighs the so so medium bonsai anyday.
Most of these airlayers were started around the middle of April last year. I had roots by fall, but decided to take them from the parent tree early this year. The buds have swollen on the elms and maples to the point that if I did not take them this weekend I would be risking waiting another season.
Of all the airlayers I did, three, one did not push roots. It has buds, but no roots. I put the cup back on and will wait till mid summer and look in then for roots. I did manage to have good luck with one maple and one elm. Both trees managed to put forth many roots and will be on their way towards final training.
The elm was taken from a larger tree. I took just the apex of the tree. It is 4 inches tall and about 1/2 inch across at the base. The branch structure is pretty good and now I can work on ramification and final form.
The Japanese palmatum maple was taken from the top of a larger maple in a grove. The top of the tree had an ugly hook in it, and I decided that I may be able to make use of that shape in a smaller tree. This tree is about 1/2 inch at the base, but only 1.5 inches tall. It is potted in a triangle Yixing pot in a yellow shade.
After taking the top out of the tree, it became useless as a bonsai for the next few years. The base of the tree had exceptional roots with a radiating nebari that is very good. I decided to whack the thing back to ground level and start a new palmatum shohin for the future. I cut it back to a couple buds at about 1 inch above the soil line. The trunk at this point is about 1.5 inches across.
The last repot today was of a sumo trident airlayer. last year I did not take a picture of the root system, and I wanted one this year for referance. The tree was planted back in the same pot, but I will be on the lookout for a more suitable pot at Shohin next month.
Regards, Al
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