Maple With No Leaves!!!

tycoon · White Belt Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

Hello all

Today I went out and got two Maples in a forest neer by. One was 6ft tall and the other was 5ft. I chopped them down so that they are both 6" now. I planted them each in a training pot and was wondering apx how long it would take for new shoots to pop up. Again I live in Ontario, Canada and weather is warm.
Also I was wondering a bout what kind of soil conditions to give it as well as lighting and if I should fertilize or not (I'm new at transplanting)

P.S. I've never had this kind of leaf size in a bonsai before, how do I make the leaves smaller?

Sorry about all the questions, just want to make sure I don't kill them Embarassed

steve · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 3:06 am Post subject: Re: Maple With No Leaves!!!

It is very late in the year to attempt this please don't get discouraged if they don't make it. Maples can be pretty resilient to this kind of thing in early spring but this is going to be hope and pray time right now. First you'll want to see if there are any buds showing on the trunk without them there can't be any leaves. You may want to turn the cut across the trunk into a lopsided 'v' and seal the edges. They may sprout and develop a broom style. If you don't want to go that route then you'll have to wait for a leader to sprout and work your way from there. I did five major trunk chops on willows this year but it was early and they are kind of hard to kill. Keep moist and try to seal top as well as you can to prevent moisture loss. There is still a chance for them to take off. Don't fertilize until there is a massive amount of growth or a month and a half which ever is longer. You'll want to protect them from hot afternoon sun as well.

tycoon · White Belt Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

Thanks for your reply I will be sure to do all of those things and will say a prayer for them Very Happy

Just out of curiosity I purchased a Juniper and it came with hard little stones in place of moss just wondering if that helps or if i can remove for aesthetic purposes.

Thanks!

Stymie · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: Maple With No Leaves!!!

The Juniper may have stones glued together on the surface of the compost. If so, they should be removed at once. They will have been put there to prevent the compost from being dislodged in transit. They will, at least, interfere with the efficient watering of the tree and have no further function to perform.

tycoon · White Belt Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

Hey All

Today was a good day for me, when i went out to check on plants I found that both of my Maples had a couple of shewts on them. They have opened up and look like mini maple leaves. I have never had a maple bonsai, I have only had experience with Juniper, boxwood and some other pines. So I was wondering if anyone could offer some tips on general care mainly on lighting and watering.

(I live in Ontario, Canada)

Thanks!!!

Stymie · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: Maple With No Leaves!!!

Steve's advice to give them part shade in the middle of the day is important. Sun probably would never kill them but it does make a mess of the leaf edges, particularly new ones. Delighted to hear that you're rearing them, follow the rest of his advice and enjoy them.

tycoon · White Belt Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

Thanks and i will

Now that the leaves are coming in very nicely I'm just wondering how I can get them smaller. If anyone can give me any advice it would be most appreciated

Thanks---------------TK

Stymie · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Maple With No Leaves!!!

I would let this year's leaves get on with it.
In Early June next year, assuming that the trees are robust, the leaves could be removed leaving behind the leaf stems so that latent buds are not injured. The stems will drop off naturally and new leaves, which are smaller will emerge. Don't be in too much of a hurry to do anything like that this year and be sure that the trees are in the best of health if and when you try it next year.

steve · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Maple With No Leaves!!!

I completely agree with Stymie. As the roots become restricted the leaves will dwarf some then defoiliation should take care of the rest. They have seen enough this year.

tycoon · White Belt Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

thank you very much for your replies

This year I am doing much better and have only killed two plants and have learned - Just like you guys said - to be patient and not be in too much of a hurry. That being said I still need some more guidance if it's not too much trouble Question

I was just wondering about what size of a pot I should have them in? They are both in regular clay pots about six inched in Diameter and about six inches deep. I was just wondering if that's OK and weather or not to move it next year into something a little smaller?

Thanks so much and appreciate all of the help Smile

Stymie · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: Maple With No Leaves!!!

When the tap roots are removed next spring, you will be able to use pots with less depth. The other dimensions being stable.