I'm growing 2 Mikawa's. One is a single leader with main:multiple branching starting about 51 inches high or so. Another has a trunk the size of a soda can++ and it's a very low graft, 4 inch high trunk and then multiple main branching from here. It does not appear to be *topped* . How was this acheived - aka, short trunk and then low main branching in this *cupped* form. Right now I have a Japanese Princess that has taken growing *up* I think I might want to get myself another JP and regrow that into the similar low trunk form. I just don't know how it was achieved as when I look at my MY, it doesn't appear topped ? https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1l2y...ey=pguevxx8235a20161j2u3fn4a&st=8j0b9gkw&dl=0
The one in the picture link has been growing as a multi-stemmed plant for its whole life. Many of the dwarf forms such as himes have a tendancy to grow like this, displaying multiple branching and rebranching rather than a strong dominant leader. Your best option is to start with one that has the branching at the desired height in the first place, rather than trying to create it by topping a tall growing specimen.
Here's the thing tho. My Japanese Princess (if not slower genetics) and if I recall, it arrived with maybe a 4 inch high leader with 3 main branching ontop. For the 2 years I've had it, it has increased by at least 4-5 inches inches higher (without a measuring tape and going off memory, but it's now a 10-11 inch high leader) with the main 3 branches at this level. Hence, how was this achieved it it appears he leader wasn't topped ( or at least in the pic I posted it doesn't appear to be topped) I'm considering buying another JP to aim to try to get this short trunk.....but have no idea just short of topping it, how to acheive it.
That is not how it works - the branching point does not rise over time. If it started at 4 inches it will stay at 4 inches.
There is some lower branching below......but I cannot recall if the lower ones are new branching below this 11 inch mark as the ones uptop is the thicker and more mature framework branching ........and unless my memory is wrong, it was acquired with a short leader initially.
OK, I see, the original branching is still there, and is now the lower branching, and there are new higher up branch points? That makes more sense. The tree shape or structure, seen in your linked picture above, likely never had a single strong leader but two or three stems of similar vitality. In fact the terminal bud point probably failed when it was very little and the two side buds below grew into equal codominant branches. If you start with a very young graft it is easy to control how many main stems you have by pinching out growing tips and choosing which branches to allow to grow. It is much more difficult if you want to change a larger plant at a later date.
It is quite simple and bonsai noobs revel in doing it = a 'trunk chop'. One simply whacks off the trunk above the node from which you want branching to start. Then add a lengthy dose of patience to develop the branches from there. It is a great thing to do with 'tossers' that you might find for cheap at a garden center.
Thanks Oso.I just u-tubed it. Too bad I don't have any donor plants to test this technique one. I've looked at the pic I posted 50 different ways and will check it out tomorrow when there is sunlight. I just can't make out any cuts.... Between the 2 thicker branches, which are fairly similar in thickness, I do see something but to my eyes, nothing conclusive
