Japanese Red Maple: Pre-Bonsai - Trunk Chop?

Aurelius

Facing south.........get some shade.
With your balcony in the sun all day your building and balcony floor can absorb and retain a considerable amout of heat.
A summer, mid-day sun, combined with the before mentioned heat, isn't good for maples.

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bonsaikc

If you trunk chop the tree this year, you will be free to drill holes in the pot at your leisure next year without those pesky roots to get in the way.

Seriously, doing too much has killed more trees in my collection alone than all other causes combined. Take the year to learn more about bonsai techniques. If the tree survives in a pot with no holes, you should first repot it correctly next year then wait at least one if not two to do the trunk chop. Does that sound like a long time? Hang around a while and you will begin to think in much longer terms. How long would you like your tree to live? Work accordingly.

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