Creating Large Trunks for the Japanese Maple Bonsai
Article by Tommy Coffler
If you have learned how to properly water, train, wire, and style your Japanese maple bonsai, but you still cannot get the miniaturized tree trunk to look thick enough in proportion to the branches, then it is time to change your approach to your bonsai tree.
The best time to create a large trunk on your bonsai Japanese maple is during winter when the miniaturized tree is roughly around thirty centimeters in height and just before the buds are about to burst. Before you think of creating a strong and thick trunk for your Japanese maple tree, you must first look for signs which indicate that the tree possesses a good and an evenly distributed root system.
First, select a bucket or a very large open-mouthed container; ideally, you can plant directly into the earth. You must find a location in your garden or yard that has good compost content and has a soil type which drains easily. This will encourage the growth of the root system so that you will eventually end up with a maple tree with a large trunk after six months or so have passed.
Water the plant well during the first twelve to fourteen weeks. Place fertilizer (organic or commercial) on it, but you must make sure that no fertilizer ends up over the root system of the maple tree. You want to encourage the roots to grow and seek the fertilizer in the soil.
Select which part of the bonsai maple tree that you want as its front area then begin removing the top buds in that frontal region. Prune down two healthy side ways buds that grow together.
At this point, your Japanese maple tree should be spurting quickly and there will be a noticeable enlargement on the tree trunk and the two leads where you previously cut the side buds of your tree. This will occur around six months after you started your project of enlarging the tree trunk of the bonsai. Once you are satisfied with the thickness of the trunk, you can then decide the style and overall shape for your Japanese maple. Cut the lead branch with a small handsaw. Do this cleanly so that you do not damage the bark. Then transplant the bonsai maple to a shallow container of your choice.
For a much more detailed and updated information about maple bonsai cultivation, styling, and maintenance techniques, visit Maple Bonsai.
About the Author
Tommy Coffler is an expert author and blogger from London. His articles have appeared in many article directories and different websites around the world. You can read some of his articles at Maple Bonsai.
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