Pruning 1st year Japanese Maple seedlings

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

This winter, I had great luck stratifying hand-picked Japanese Maple seeds and by March I had 64 germinated seeds after having started the process in November. Fast forward 10 weeks and all 64 have come along nicely under my grow lights for 18 hrs a day.

Now that the seedlings are well-established (5-8 leaf pairs per plant), I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for next steps. Given the qty, I have plenty of room to experiment with them and would like to force 50% into multi-trunk growth and let the remainder follow whatever course they happen to.

Is now an appropriate time to prune the tops? Or should I wait till fall? Or next spring before leaves have opened?

Where on the trees should I make the cut? On the crown? Above the first leaf pair? Somewhere in between?

Aside from grooming timing/technique, I am also curious about how I might accelerate growth over the few first years. For example, by pulling the trees inside mid winter and starting the growing season earlier under artificial light, or maybe even going so far as to try to fit in two growth seasons per year by including an artificial winter (ie 2 x 4-month grow seasons separated by 2 x 2-month winters).

Anyone have experience on any of these topics? Just looking to experiment, learn, have fun, and care for plants!

Thanks
Phil

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Comment (1)

TaraMaiden
10 years ago
Do not cut the tops if you want the trees to get taller... that would create squat trees with little upper growth but more side branching habits. I would, in your shoes let them grow on, but look at th eventual shape of each one, as an individual, not part of a group....

You may want to think about different clipping techniques, such as Bonsai, Niwaki or plain trimmed canopy....

Look at each specimen, and decide what style you consider appropriate for IT.

Then trim shoots or small branches accordingly, but I think you need to be patient, and let them grow on for a couple of years before making THAT decision.

Unless you're a speciaist grower, with appropriate conditions, I would not try or attempt different growing conditions to 'accelerate' growth'. Done badly, that just leads to weak plants that in the end, will struggle once they are exposed to normalised conditions. This is why so many people buying plants from standard retailers (as opposed to nursery/garden specialist outlets) complain their plants struggle once exposed to natural conditions; because the plants have been grown, cultivated and prepared for aesthetic looks and desirable instant beauty. Not long-term durability and hardiness....
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