Acer palmatum var. atropurpureum `Bloodgood`

jportock

I have a small maple that I decided to ground layer. It had a long straight root stock and the nebari needed developement. I still need to grow the trunk on this one but I looked at the new roots yesterday and they are looking pretty good so right now I'm thinking nebari.
Can I get good nebari in the ground or in a big pot the same way I would grow the trunk or do I need to put this in a shallow container until I have some nice thick suface roots?
Also, I think the ground layered roots need to grow a little more first but when is a good time to separate the tree so that its new roots are solely supporting it?

Thanks for any help you can render!

JP

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I'm an acorn, small and round, sitting on the cold, hard ground. Everyone walks over me, that is why I'm cracked you see. I'm a nut, I'm a nut, I'm crazy. -author unknown

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Ralph

You can develop nebari in the ground.
Does your wife have an old saucer or small plate that she won't miss? I'm sure you get the idea. Place the plate 3 inches below the soil.
I am growing out two Japanese maples in the ground that are sitting on old plates.
Just spread the roots out.

__________________
Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

Aurelius

Wait until the new roots harden off.
Until then, those tender new roots are not malaible. They'll snap in a heartbeat.