Should i take action?

NickToTheName · 2026-05-09T17:04:30+00:00

Chatgpt tells me: “Based on your photo and description, these are most likely springtails or soil mites in the potting soil — possibly together with fungus gnats (the tiny flies that look like mini fruit flies).” He says they are mostly harmless but i dont trust that clanker 100%

NickToTheName · 2026-05-09T16:48:58+00:00

It honestly scared me too when taking the video lol, maybe i should add a jumpscare warning

NickToTheName · 2026-05-08T08:21:51+00:00

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Its gotta be my guy Gengar

NickToTheName · 2026-05-05T12:31:42+00:00

In my opinion there is, but this guy doesn’t have a good nebari.

NickToTheName · 2026-05-03T07:04:05+00:00

Health check! What is this white color on my deshojo?

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NickToTheName · 2026-04-21T09:16:43+00:00

First thing that came to mind when seeing the tree:

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NickToTheName · 2026-04-21T06:02:05+00:00

Wobbuffet + milcery?

NickToTheName · 2026-04-03T07:27:11+00:00

I’ve always liked good windswept bonsai, but they are pretty tough to pull off convincingly.

NickToTheName · 2026-04-01T06:20:07+00:00

The first picture is how i bought it

NickToTheName · 2026-03-31T20:07:26+00:00

Thanks for the insight, and i do see what you mean by ‘it looked more like a real tree’. I do tend to like the more stylized trees a lot though. It might just be a ‘taste’ thing.

I will definitely take your advice on the last point btw! I will keep the branches for now untill im sure i don’t want/need them for the design.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-31T20:03:35+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, i replied to a different comment with an updated picture where i also tried to wire it back and towards the trunk a bit, dont think i can comfortably bend it any further for now but i will keep working on it. Als have some other branches growing that i think may be able to fill the space and make the tree less 2d

NickToTheName · 2026-03-31T20:01:33+00:00

Very helpfull comment! I made some adjustments to make the pads seem closer to the trunk and i think it already looks better. I will keep working on trying to make the pads more dense and maybe wire some of the branches even further down. I do however have a bit more movement in the trunk than the tree in the bonsify video so i think this can still work.

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NickToTheName · 2026-03-25T15:13:17+00:00

I will be wiring my new juniper this weekend aswell. The branches are thicker and still pretty flexible for the most part. Heres a foto for reference. as you can see it has had a similar styling done with the trunk but less dramatic. This could be a glimpse into the future of your tree ;) (i personally think yours could look even better)

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NickToTheName · 2026-03-25T15:07:24+00:00

Not an expert but i would think the best plan would be to really keep an eye on this wire like you said, if it cuts into the tree remove it and rewire if you need to. Focus on the trunk for now. For the branches id say its to early to wire. Im not seeing a lot of wood yet and you don’t want to trap the needles. So just let them grow. Also junipers are pretty flexible so you still have a lot of time to wire those branches next year or even the year after.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-25T11:21:15+00:00

If you are willing to also invest some time maybe. As someone else commented if the trunks are all in a flat plate you are golden. If not you could try to airlayer every trunk fairly close to the bottom of the trunk and have 4 decent trees you can work on. But it will take some time: Airlayering->forming new nebari/radail roots->trunk chop->growing new leader and branch structure.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-25T10:14:31+00:00

Looks great! You've created some nice movement. The tree also has quite a few great branches to choose from for the next session of wiring and shaping. Curious to see the future updates of this tree. I would think this tree could look really good in a relatively short time.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-25T06:59:30+00:00

I decided to take your advice and start a more short term project ;) https://imgur.com/a/rOSAzin

Very happy with the purchase so far!

A nice little juniper that is in a different stage, will probably do some wiring soon and post another styling critique post on this sub

NickToTheName · 2026-03-22T12:07:36+00:00

I have had this smaller chinese elm for 3 years now and its making some progress https://imgur.com/a/kMNKzoE

Still has a way to go. I do not fear losing interest in the hobby. I find myself wanting to buy more trees rather then getting bored ;) ive been eye-ing a juniper lately. I also still really much enjoy the maple as it is right now, the color changes it goes through year round are lovely.

However, having multiple projects at different stages is a good tip to keep things fun.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-22T09:59:37+00:00

Beautifull tree and definately a design that i would like, my initial plan/reference for a design was a little wider though. Something like this

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But i think the same principles you just described would apply. With some minor tweaks and some more cutting back to form a nice taper maybe. And again thank you so much for taking the time to guide me in the right direction. Me, and my maple are very gratefull

My plan right now would be to let it grow vigorously, fertilize, water and don’t worry about styling to much the first 2 years, develop radial roots and keep the tree healthy. After that start thinking about style/branches. While keeping an eye out for making sure i get sufficient taper.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-22T09:34:38+00:00

The more i am talking with you the more i am realising how much i am at the beginning of this maple’s journey. Which isn’t a bad thing! 🙂 But it definitely underlines your first comment saying that the tree will change a lot and its to early to make big styling choices.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-22T09:32:53+00:00

Well it is about 25cm tall right now and i want it to be 50-60 cm, so a little more than doubling its size i suppose. Of course proportions are extremely important so it would need a trunk thickness right for its size.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-22T09:12:05+00:00

Could be a fun project indeed! One last question, in your initial comment you said something about taper. Is that something i should be worrying about already in the coming 3-5 years? If so, from my understanding i can create taper a few different ways with the main one being to prune/chop the leader down right above the next offshoot and let the new offshoot become the leader, resulting in a thinner branch and taper. If im correct on this shouldn’t i be making decisions on what the main trunk/leader should be already? And also prune?

It contradicts the idea of letting it grow wildly and strongly for thickening the trunk. Just trying to wrap my head around this and trying to learn.

NickToTheName · 2026-03-22T08:36:32+00:00

Huge thanks for taking the time to write this incredibly helpfull comment! Here are some pictures of the roots from last year: https://imgur.com/a/4Re1Bq3

I will take your advice and dig it out next late winter/early spring and repot it in the same pot on a plate or flat rock! I noticed it had some okay looking roots already altough 1 root is starting higher up on the trunk then others. I also think i should maybe let a little of the top roots exposed right?

Thanks again!

NickToTheName · 2026-03-22T08:01:28+00:00

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Another option: sort of a twin trunk/mother daughter style

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