I experiment with this Japanese Maple ‘Tamukeyama’ since 2015. The nebari is already fractal but the branching structure still needs to be built. This spring 2023 I grafted two new branches mid-way along the trunk and air-layered the top half to compact the tree.
Here is a graft that I did two years ago. We can see it has well taken but I will severe it only next year to be certain.
Two new thread grafts
I first mark both exit locations.
I then drill the holes with a bit slightly larger than the buds.
The scions are delicately inserted into the holes to not harm the buds. The donor branch is held into place with guy wires.
Both entry and exit holes are covered with healing paste.
Air-layer
I never liked the top half of this tree that lacks aesthetics, movement and taper. If I succeed in this air-layer I will use it as grafting material.
I first mark the trunk section where bark will be removed.
A pot is prepared by cutting it in half vertically.
I mix humidified spagnum moss and rooting hormones #3.
The bark and cambium are removed using a sharp knife.
The moss is rolled around the air-layer and attached using an aluminum wire.
I slide the pot around the trunk and suspend it to a branch above.
The pot is filled with akadama and I thoroughly water the substrate.
The frankenstein tree continues its journey.
