Is there any other ways to hasten the maturity of japanese maple trees. In the future, I am interested in breeding some selections that I have?
Where a time machine is not in your budget, I recommend grafting. The other, or perhaps, even more important factor is soil fertility. Excess soil nitrogen from fertilizers will prolong vegetative growth and prevent flowering.
Time Machine? Wouldn't that be cheeting? I was thinking about low nitrogen and high phosphorus and patience. Does anyone have any information on the use of paclobutrazol? Bill
That is an intriguing question. As with any growth regulator or pesticide (paclobutrazol has herbicidal properties) I would check first whether it is registered for that use in your area. I would guess that it isn't (it is not in Canada).