Starting a zig zag stlye Japanese Maple

emorrin

When I bought my Trident Maple, I bought a typical 4 year old starter Japanese Maple along with it since it was pretty cheap. I have decided to try the "zig zag" style that Peter Adams explains in his "Bonsai with Japanese Maples" book. I re potted it in an over size circular mica pot so it will hopefully grow a little faster, think wooden box here. I was thinking about growing it in the ground but decided against doing so. I might buy another one in the future and try this though.

I see that most people are against re potting and wiring around or at the same time. I am wondering what peoples opinions here are about this?

Since it has not leafed out yet, it would be easier to wire it, at least in my thoughts, since there are no obstructions (i.e. leaves, twigs).
Would this put too much stress on the tree? All I am looking to do is an minor bend on the first branch and upper most branch. Also, Do you think the leader and upper most branch are too long? I am thinking about chopping them an inch or two shorter. I am not looking for a real thick trunk so that is why I am still deciding whether or not to do this. I am also wanting to keep the tree below 26 inches as well when it is mature. Need to figure out the balance.

Here is a picture right after the re pot:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii208/emorrin/BonsaiRomeo148.jpg

Stymie

You're right Ed, Thick trunks on Acers other than tridents don't look right do they?
We often stop them at every pair of leaves to keep internodes short and provide branching. I wouldn't hesitate to prune now and as you say, wiring within reason will be much easier without leaves. I say go.

keithmart

Hi

The branches on Maples are very brittle and they grow in fits and starts. If you wire them normally, you will probably break branches unless you are very carefull. Also they seem to scar very suddenly as they put a spurt of growth on, and will need constant watching.

I tend to use guy wires on mine as a safer alternative.

emorrin

Keithmart,

I only wired the first branch right now. I had no issues bending it at all. I will keep in mind the fast growth spurts you were talking about. The last thing I would want is the wire digging in.

emorrin

Uh oh!, now I did it. I was wiring the main leader branch and snapped the branch while bending it into shape. It is only cracked about halfway so I carefully bent it up a where it was before and put wound sealant on it, to fully seal it. I cannot remember the name of the wound sealant any more and the tube is not in English, but it is the "tooth paste like" kind (i.e. not clay).

My question is, should I chop it or leave it be as is? (i.e. wired up with wound sealant on it). My thinking is it will mend itself because it is sort of like air layering. What are the chances of this happening? Never air layered before but have an idea how to do it. On average how long will it take to mend, that is if it mends?

I really want to try to keep it because it is the only leader branch currently on the young Japanese maple tree. There would only be the trunk and first branch left. I know I can train a new leader but then I will lose one years worth of growth.

keithmart

Hi

We have all done that!!

If you have not got sealer inside the break it will probably repair itself in time.

The thing to remember is that it will always be weaker at the point of the break, as the heart wood is not alive and won't heal. Only the outside layers will heal.

If the branch is worth the effort, then keep it.

I have a chinese elm whose whole top was broken off when something fell on it from a higher shelf. It is now ok and only I know where the break was! (and the tree of course)

emorrin

I tried not to get any sealant in the wound but we had a good rain last night so some may have seeped in. I was thinking about gently bending it back again and put some rooting powder in the wound but I guess that won't help that much. I didn't know whether or not heart wood would heal or not. Now I know. I did come across this interesting link this morning:

http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/BasicsRepairingSnappedBranches.htm

Super glue of all things. This sounds like a good idea to keep the branch strong were it cracked at. Anyone used this method before?

yamadorinige

Yes I've done the same thing many times with branches and super glued them back, put wound sealant then bound the with electricians tape. I was skeptical when I first heard this, but having tried it I know it works. As Keith says it will never be as strong as it was originally, but if you are aware of it when working on the tree everything will be fine.

emorrin

I think I will super glue the break then to add a little added strength. I was contemplating whether to just leave it alone and have it heal as is, but this is the leader so anything to give it more strength is good. I will carefully scrape any wound sealer that got in then seal it back up after the glue dries. In time it will thicken and further strengthen. I can see how it will never be as strong as before the break though. That site where I found the article about super gluing broken branches also has tips for bending brittle branches as well. Will definitely consult them before I do any further wiring on my maples.

I never wired a maple before and now know to be very careful in