Japanese Red Maple shoots

My co-worker has a Japanese Red Maple she grows as a bush. She pruned it back this week and gave me a bunch of plants that are about 12" to 14" long and have small roots. They are straight sticks with leaves along the length of the stick.

I planted them in pots yesterday. I put them about an inch deep into the soil hoping they would root along the trunk. Is this ok or should I plant them at the soil line they already have?

I removed the bottom leaves and cut them all down to 4" to 6" with 2 to 4 sets of leaves on the stalk. I plan on wintering them on my balcony. I am going to fill a rubbermaid container with soil and bury the pot in them and put mulch on top of that.

Does that sound like a good plan?

How long does it take for a trunk to produce branches?

At this time of year and in Chicago it will be very difficult to get anything out of these before it gets cold.

Chisky wrote:
How long does it take for a trunk to produce branches?

I'm going to generalise..but
to be a nice (convincing) starter bonsai the trunk needs about 4/5 years in open ground or 8/10 years in a pot - the branches will be there but really need growing properly from scratch once the trunk is done. in all honesty it depends what you are expecting, and what time sccale you are expecting too. I really would buy a bonsai or two to keep you occupied while the cuttings & seedlings etc are growing

good luck and enjoy every stage

Marcus

Takes that long eh? Ah well, I'm plutzing along and have some things to play with. I'm learning already that everything I know is naught.