Cork Bark Maple

top_cat

Hello all,

I am looking for any and all feedback on this newly purchased bonsai. I purcahsed it because I liked the idea of a cork style bark, which in a few years I am hoping will look really nice.

It has had some training but is very flat (2D rather then 3D). I am not sure what to do next to improve the look so any advice would be very welcome. I know that the pot is no right for the tree and think that an oval one would look better.

I think I need some more branched on the other side to create a better feeling balance. I am thinking of letting it just grow unchecked this year to build it up?

Thanks for looking and commenting

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cork bark maple 3.jpg (66.6 KB, 255 views)

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Carl_Bergstrom

Hi Top cat,

Looking at the rather sparse foliage only at tips of the branches of this tree, I might guess that the root system is not completely healthy. Of course, this is just a guess. Better to look at the roots themselves.

But if so, you'd probably be best with something along the lines of the following approach: bare-root and repot into well-draining soil next spring, and give it all of next year (2005) to grow out and recover. You can cut back in late winter (e.g. Feb 2006) and start styling then.

Best regards,
Carl

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top_cat

Thanks Car for the comments. I was certainly planning on repotting the tree, would it be in the best interest of the tree to do a repot now, I know we are already in spring and the leaves are out but if the root system is not completely healthy then I am not sure what is best.

The soil does seem quite free draining but it not in Akadama and I'm not sure how long its been in that soil for.

Thanks again, all comments and feedback welcome.

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Carl_Bergstrom

Top cat,

If the soil is freely draining now and you don't have good evidence that there is a major problem, I'd leave it where it is for a year and repot next spring as the buds begin to swell.

I have repotted maples that are already leafed out, but this is riskier and requires great care in the repotting process, the very mild climate that I enjoy here (never warmer than 90 degrees F), and a period of babying the tree after repotting.

Best regards,
Carl

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ChrisM

well, carl has about summed it all up, that is what i would do.

chris

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top_cat

Its been a few months since my first post and I have not seen any new growth on the tree. There is a few tiny buds that have been there (but not grown any larger) for a couple of weeks. My other maple has had lots of growth as I expected.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a suppliment/feed I could use to give the tree a help in growing. I'm a little concern as we are a good way into the summer now (UK) and this surprisingly little growth has me concerned.

I was hoping to just let it grow this year so that I would have something to work with next year but no growth at all seems like a wasted year

Any advice?

Attached Images

bonsai-20-8-04.jpg (60.9 KB, 155 views)

kvnharv29

If i was you Id definitely take this tree out of that tiny pot and put it in something really big to let it grow out better. It looks like it will need some serious work on it later, but im not advanced enough to suggest anything.
But it could have such little growth because it is being restricted too much. Since your already in summer, you can slip pot it into something bigger to let the roots get more room. Good luck.

-Kevin

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top_cat

Thanks Kevin for your comments. I take it that slip potting just means removing the tree from the present pot with the soil and root untouched and placing in another larger pot which has extra soil?

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Delboy

Hi Top Cat,
I've had the same problem with my Arakawa this year, It only threw out the first set of spring growth and that was it. In early summer I lifted it from its pot to check the roots and found it was root bound. Looking at the pot yours is in, it's not going to be easy to just check the roots without disturbing them too much.
I would follow everyone elses advice and just leave it until next spring and then repot.
Good luck.
Delboy.