Maple Sappling Dying
#maple #propagationstation
I have been trying to transplant maples from the yard since I didn't think to get into bonsais until after they were seeding. I tried transplanting two, but the soil was too dry and fell away from their roots. And, the roots were exposed for over an hour as a result (I was hoping to dig up relatively large root balls). They both wilted and died despite the soil being moist.
I tried one more time, this time from a sappling hiding by the gas meter. It was sprawled out in bone dry soil, so I just pulled it up without any dirt. I immediately planted it into moist soil. I kept it out of the harsh afternoon sun. But, within a day, all the leaves began drooping. I plucked off the larger leaves, hoping to help it retain water. Some of the stems on those leaves had even turned brown. It has been a day since then, and it looks like this.
What am I doing wrong? Bonsai growers hack trees to stumps without them dying. This thing lived in bone dry soil for months without dying. Is the environment of my pot really so bad?
I would really appreciate any tips, especially since I don't want to see anymore die, especially ones that I seed next year. Thanks!
I have been trying to transplant maples from the yard since I didn't think to get into bonsais until after they were seeding. I tried transplanting two, but the soil was too dry and fell away from their roots. And, the roots were exposed for over an hour as a result (I was hoping to dig up relatively large root balls). They both wilted and died despite the soil being moist.
I tried one more time, this time from a sappling hiding by the gas meter. It was sprawled out in bone dry soil, so I just pulled it up without any dirt. I immediately planted it into moist soil. I kept it out of the harsh afternoon sun. But, within a day, all the leaves began drooping. I plucked off the larger leaves, hoping to help it retain water. Some of the stems on those leaves had even turned brown. It has been a day since then, and it looks like this.
What am I doing wrong? Bonsai growers hack trees to stumps without them dying. This thing lived in bone dry soil for months without dying. Is the environment of my pot really so bad?
I would really appreciate any tips, especially since I don't want to see anymore die, especially ones that I seed next year. Thanks!
4
Best Answer
@Austin1990 So, let me get this straight ..you are attempting to bonsai a maple? ð Personally, I think you should wait until Spring and set seeds into a prepared bonsai pot. You can push them down into the soil slightly, but just let them be to seed themselves.
But online I'm seeing instructions that say to plant the seed in the Fall and then set the dish in a cool place (protect from freezing) until Spring and then put it outside. Water well but allow to dry completely before watering again. 50% shade to prevent scorching. Shaping: it can take three years before the maple is at a stage where you can start shaping it.
I think I would buy a fake one! ðĪĢð. Too much work, but I think you can do it. If I were to take this challenge on, I would buy and start at least five of them knowing there is risk of losing a few in the learning process. And if you don't lose any, you could sell them for a pretty price!
Good luck!!!ðĪ
But online I'm seeing instructions that say to plant the seed in the Fall and then set the dish in a cool place (protect from freezing) until Spring and then put it outside. Water well but allow to dry completely before watering again. 50% shade to prevent scorching. Shaping: it can take three years before the maple is at a stage where you can start shaping it.
I think I would buy a fake one! ðĪĢð. Too much work, but I think you can do it. If I were to take this challenge on, I would buy and start at least five of them knowing there is risk of losing a few in the learning process. And if you don't lose any, you could sell them for a pretty price!
Good luck!!!ðĪ
@UltraKoreanfir
That is correct, Melissa. Many bonsai are just Japanese maples, but I want to bonsai the largest of the maples, the silver leaf maple, which grows like a weed in my area
Yeah, you may be correct. I was planning to wait for seeds until I saw saplings around. It will be a lot of work, but I figure it will not be much time each year.
That is correct, Melissa. Many bonsai are just Japanese maples, but I want to bonsai the largest of the maples, the silver leaf maple, which grows like a weed in my area
Yeah, you may be correct. I was planning to wait for seeds until I saw saplings around. It will be a lot of work, but I figure it will not be much time each year.
And, I appreciate your input, Melissa. I will definitely start several. I am still hoping this one sapling survives, though, because it has a very interesting root structure.
Fake bonsais are a cool idea. I hadn't even thought of that. I don't know that I would sell any. I'd be surprised of my first bonsais will be good enough to get any money for, anyway.
Fake bonsais are a cool idea. I hadn't even thought of that. I don't know that I would sell any. I'd be surprised of my first bonsais will be good enough to get any money for, anyway.
So, it is perking up. I must broken more roots than I thought when I pulled it up. Plucking off the extra leaves seems to have worked. They were releasing too much water. The remaining leaves are looking great.
