Jeff,

I agree with Iris here. I've been looking to get a Crabapple for myself this year.
I have shopped most of the local nursuries and found that ALL are grafts. Usually the
scoins are visible for several inches and suckers are already several inches long.
I've never air layered one, but am considering it. There are some Sargentii,
Snowdrift and nice Royalty's available, but Brent notes on his website that cuttings
from Royalty's are difficult. Anyway, just wanted to make the point that most of the
crabapples you find in nurseries are actually grafts so it could take several years to
layer it off and get some nice nebari going.

Mike Peck
Kansas City, MO
Zone 5

Jeff Isom wrote:

I've noticed quite a few crabapple trees in 2-5 gallon pots that look pretty
nice, but of course the lowest branches are way too high.


Iris replied:


That is not the problem. I wouldn't trunk chop a crabapple, but you can
gradually get budding lower down on the trunk, or use a thread graft. The main
problem with nursery trees is that they are grafted, & the graft union will be
very conspicuous. Since root hardiness is not an issue with bonsai, it is
better to buy cutting grown trees which are produced for bonsai, or if you see
something in the nursery which is particularly attractive, air-layer it. Before
you buy a crabapple, read Father Fiala's book to find out which ones are
disease resistant. Don't waste time or money on those that aren't.
Iris,

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