Acer Palmatum Ornatum

I have seen those beautiful photo of the Japanese Maple from Portland's Japanese Garden.  Two that were striking bright Orange my favorites but I like them all.  Ever since I saw those photos and also a youtube video showing those amazing cascade style sea of orange, I wanted in my collection.   But alas, nobody actually know for sure what kind are those.  I think after some major digging, those turned out:  Acer Palmatum Ornatum variety.    Anyway, I started to look for them everywhere but what I found was some bad news.  Due to lesser demands, there aren't a lot of Oranatum out there.   I started to reach out to various maple vendors and previous contacts.   I even contacted the Portland Japanese Garden and they gave me some links, references.  Finally one of my previous maple suppler told me about a plant he had in his collection that's probably the kind I'm looking for.  Anyway, I am not sure if this is the same kind or not, the important thing is that I like this color a lot.   Over the years, with good care, this may look very fascinating.

Where are they now

So I haven't had much time to play with those Miyasama Trident I bought.  Actually I planned on number of things, that ended up not working out.  I planted one on the ground and kept one in a pot over a small rock (my kid found it during our FL vacation).  Rock is not large enough, but I figured what the heck.

Honestly, I haven't kept them in the best of condition they deserve.  I am surrounded by clay soil and poor watering condition, so they didn't grow as thick as one would hope.  At any rather, each season, they shoot out quite a bit of growth that I had to trim closer to Spring.

Anyway, this is how they look today

Root over Petrified Wood Project

*I ended up scratching that idea as few folks has discouraged me on that project.  So I just have these rocks as decorative piece right now.

I just purchased these two Trident Maple (This variety is known as Miyasama Trident Maple). I plan to put them in the pot this spring .. not sure yet what and how I want to style them :)

Just repotted one of my favorite Japanese Maple that I had for over 5 years (yeah, I know, you are wondering, why is it so small? At least why the tree is not thicker ? :)

I think that's because I did not take good care of the tree (didn't feed it) and did not use good quality soil. So why did I mistreat one of my favorite Japanese Maple?

To answer that question, I will take you back 5-6 years from today when I first got this tree with few other Japanese maples. I originally planned on planting all the JM on the ground, but to may dismay this specific tree was injured (Big branch from Pine tree fell on top of it and broke it in half!!! ). I was super upset but eventually moved on. Even though I was left with a stick on some dirt, I decided not to through it as it showed some sign of life in a few weeks (very slow grower by the way). Anyway, eventually it ended up with few

more branches (on its way to look more like a tree). Over the years, I have done some pruning but nothing major. As I cared for the tree, I've developed a soft spot for it. So I have searched for a better home for it, but finally took action. :((

The cultivar is called .. Acer shirasawanum (Golden Full Moon Maple, Japanese Maple 'Aureum') . I love the Lime Green color of the leaves and their shape. I can't believe I didn't think I would ever love any JM other than Red :p ..

Back to my decision to repot it today. Actually, I am somewhat regretting my decision to repot this maple right now which might bring it out of its dormancy. It this plant wakes up, it will start to bud and then frost would definitely kill those new growth and perhaps the tree! (In Atlanta, Georgia frost can occur as late as early March).

Uggh! Was that a bad decision? Probably! ... We shall see!

Here is a "Link to Flickr" of this plant with leaves ..

First post that was created for testing :)

Beni Otaki (Red Bamboo)

I heard of Red Bamboo and always wanted a Beni Otaki. I have found that and ordered online. It came today but looking at it sort of dissappointed me. I have a feelings that the nursery made a mistake and sent me bloodgood instead? I am not sure though; what do you think? Due to the shipping stress, they are sort of dry but I am hopping they will make a come back with my TLC. But I need to know if this is what I think it is.. :)

This is pretty regardless, but I do not think they look like Bamboo leaves like I thought they do when I saw other pictures on the web. By the way, please share with me if you know any resources out there that identifies Japanese Maple . So far I am not having great luck and often same tree I find with different name .. :)

Is this Beni Otaki?