Vonsgardens

Typically one will be trying to grow "real branches" near the base at the same time that the sacrifice leader and/or branches are growing. Reduce the number of candles on the sacrifice leader and branches to one and pluck all needles off of it except those at the site of the growing candle (looks like a lions tail wih a candle on the end). Take off all additiona growth except for the one candle. This prevents the sacrifice from shading out your "real" branches that you do candle and needle reduction on to keep from over growing. The rapidly grwing sacrifice branch/leader won't bud back too much because you are leaving the terminal candle which continues to limit back budding.

As has been suggested elswhere on this forum, I think BonsaiKC brought it up most recently, be careful with sacrifice branches- it takes years to get them healed over and the bark right. You are better off to grow a tall sacrifice leader, develop the tree underneath it, then when you cut it off it will be at the back where you won't see it. Takes some planning.

John

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