Propagating a Maple Bonsai

[JoeLewko]

I recently saw a tree in my neighborhood, and I instanty thought it would make a great bonsai. It looks like a japanese maple. Unfortunately, I do not have a pic of it, but the leaf looked similar to this,

[image removed because link didn't work- moderator ]

and the color was a mix of green and orange, sort of like this
https://www.ashland-city.k12.oh.us/ahs/classes/hort/2002/oct15/Jap-maple.jpg

those pics aren't exactly what I saw, but close ( as far as I remember). Also, the tree is fairly young, because it is not very tall, maybe 5-6 ft. and the leaves are small.

The trunk was red, as were the branches. If I can get a clipping of this tree, what would be the best way to root it? Does anyone know of any good websites that discuss good propagation techniques for a maple?

[Zombiefreak]

Umm your first image doesn't show up. the Secret Techniques of Bonsai has some great information on how to do propagation from cuttings. The simplest way is to take your cutting with a sharp knife or shears, Immediatly place you cutting in water. Have a free draining potting mix "sand is ideal" and some rooting horomone. Leave only about two to three leaves on your cutting, meaning cut a stem that is prearranged that way do not strip leaves. Next using Hashi dig a small hole in the sand about 1inch across to 11/2"to 2 inches deep. Place your stem tamp the soil and water thoroughly now wait paitiently. Once your cutting has taken root probably good rooting time frame is about six weeks for cuttings, then transplant into a nursery pot meant for growing seedlings. Treat the cutting like a one year old seedling from that point out. Finding a book is best for all of this info and I'm tired of typing so hope this helped so have at it. You may may want to do several cuttings all at once its sometimes not likely all will take root. Itb sounds to me like you may be talking about fireglow Japanese Maple just a guess there are endless varities of J
apanese maple

[JoeLewko]

thanks

[Marie1uk]

Japanese maples are very difficult to root from cuttings - a specialist mist system is needed and the success rate is quite low. You need to research the species and if it is a Jap Maple variant seed collection and stratification in cold temperatures would yield more plants. The disadvantage is that they don't come true to type from seed. I have grown 15 small seedlings from seed this year - I love the surprises you get when they hybridise and the way they twist out of the seed

[Gnome]

Joe,

Marie is correct in saying that Japanese Maples can be difficult to to root, but this varies by variety. You will not know how difficult the variety in question is until you try. I have had some success by keeping the cuttings under glass. This keeps the humidity up without the expense of a misting system.

Norm

[Petra26]

Umm your first image doesn't show up. the Secret Techniques of Bonsai has some great information on how to do propagation from cuttings. The simplest way is to take your cutting with a sharp knife or shears, Immediatly place you cutting in water. Have a free draining potting mix "sand is ideal" and some rooting horomone. Leave only about two to three leaves on your cutting, meaning cut a stem that is prearranged that way do not strip leaves. Next using Hashi dig a small hole in the sand about 1inch across to 11/2"to 2 inches deep. Place your stem tamp the soil and water thoroughly now wait paitiently. Once your cutting has taken root probably good rooting time frame is about six weeks for cuttings, then transplant into a nursery pot meant for growing seedlings. Treat the cutting like a one year old seedling from that point out. Finding a book is best for all of this info and I'm tired of typing so hope this helped so have at it. You may may want to do several cuttings all at once its sometimes not likely all will take root. Itb sounds to me like you may be talking about fireglow Japanese Maple just a guess there are endless varities of J
apanese maple

thanx, very helpful. I did a search on this and this was the only post/thread I found on subject. very helpful. I went outside and tried it. potted 2 cuttings. watered and misted. have them sitting around in my house. anything else I should do? just experimenting. I think they are just regular maples that grow in chicagoland area... I think they are either Silver or Sugar Maple. I hope they root and grow. otherwise I will just throw them away