Comments on: Summer cutback – Japanese plum

By: xwires

xwires — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:09:18 +0000

Tom – as I understand it the best times to cut shoots on deciduous trees depends on the goal of the cutback. I’m more likely to let developing branches grow for an entire season than I am for more refined branches. As a result, I wired the new primary and secondary shoots on the first branch without cutting these back at all. I want the curves at the base of these branches to set for now – I’ll cut them back vigorously in fall or early spring when the tree is in bloom. I cut back the longish shoots on the refined branches to preserve and encourage more delicate growth. As you can see from the photo, very few shoots fell into this category. Trimming these produces better ramification and weakens the strong areas making for better overall balance. That’s the goal anyway. After more than 40 years in training as a bonsai the tree is pretty well behaved.

You’re right about the flowers too – I rarely think about that as I’m so focused on producing the branches needed to create a beautiful silhouette. Their fragrance is wonderful. After I redevelop the entire upper right-hand side of the tree and begin to prepare it for exhibit I’ll start paying more attention to the flower buds.

Jonas

By: Tom Tynan

Tom Tynan — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:23:45 +0000

Jonas…Whne you prune back your plum trees – aren’t you pruning next year’s flower buds as well ? I thought waiting til Fall was best for most Prunus sp. – that way the leaf bud can be distinguished from the flowereding bud – any thoughts on this ??? Tom

By: Scott Straley

Scott Straley — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Jonas,
Wonderful tree, especially since it has been in the family for so long. It also has some great bark building up at the base and a superb pot, nice work.

Scott

By: AlexV

AlexV — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:20:32 +0000

Ya know, it almost looks like the dwarf asian pairs that Jim Gremmel has. They also have small yellow fruit. Though you are right, the leaves really look like plum. Beautiful tree whatever it is, I love the lower trunk and nebari.