Acer palmatum 'Fairyhair'

Here is a picture of the largest low grafted 'Fairyhair' in existence. It will grow two feet tall by one foot wide in ten years.

 

Yweride,

Is that the typical size of the foliage? The other photos I have seen of Fairyhair show a very fine thead-like leaf, where the plant in these photos, while more compact than a typical linearlobum, has quite wide lobes.

When were these photos taken and will the foliage continue to transistion to a thinner lobe?

 

MJH,
The lobes will thin a bit as they mature, but i feel that this is a good representation of the plants characteristics throughout the growing season. This picture was taken Feb. 25 in a greenhouse were we grow our 'fairyhairs'. Growing them in the greenhouse, we are able to lengthen their growing season and produce a bit bigger plant. I will continue to take pictures through the rest of the growing season so you can decide for yourself. Thanks for your interest.
Eric

 

Thanks for the insight and I look forward to the future photos. Maybe I will even be able to drop by this year and see the plant in person.

One more question: It would seem you have a pretty valuable specimen there. Do you have plans to get it into the ground?

 

Eric, Michael,

Any information on the origins of this cultivar?

Gomero

 

Gomero,

'Fairyhair' was a selected by Talon Buchholz of Buchholz nursery, here in the USA.

I don't know exactly where he found it, but I had a recent discussion with a fellow collector who once spotted an extremly fine leafed linearlobum in the collection of the late Ed Rezek in Long Island, NY. Apparently Rezeks dwarf linearlobum was a sport from 'Koto Ito Komache', but it had very small internodes and extremely fine leaves, like 'Fairyhair'. Rezek apparently used to send many of his "discoveries" to Talon Buchholz for evaluation and introduction. I don't know for certain if Rezeks sport was the source of 'Fairyhair', but it very well could have been.

Brian

 

Brian,
Thanks. It is now also proposed in Europe. I like it very much, I think I'll add it to my next list.

Gomero

 

How tall and old is yours?

 

Brian, this is all good (and true) information. I will have to ask Talon the story behind ‘Fairyhair’.

As a propagator, you have the opportunity to see hundreds of thousands or maple seedlings pass before your eyes. This is when we are able to select plants for their unique characteristics, as is such the case with 'Fairyhair' among others.

I do remember Talon telling me that years ago he collected many seeds from linearlobum plants, and from this batch he found 'Red Pygmy', if correctly recall. This may too be were 'Fairyhair' came from.

I will get the full story from him, and post additional pics of this cultivar.

Eric

 

I'll try to leave you guys alone in the Maple
forum from now on but there are times I
cannot let certain things go uncountered.
This is one of those times it seems.

On page 97 of the Vertrees second edition
Japanese Maples book we can read that the
mother plants of Red Pygmy resided at Firma
C. Esveld long before someone in Oregon could
have collected seed and named this plant. Shoot,
the Maple was awarded the Certificate of Merit
in 1969 which also was much sooner than only
a little more than a handful of people in Oregon
had any Japanese Maples of their own.

Now for something all of you can think on.

If we look at page 34 of the same book we will
see what Mr. Vertrees called Koto ito komachi.
This plant did not originate from Mr. Vertrees
as a seedling selection off the old form that
came in from Japan in 1972. This Maple was
selected out by someone else and had its origin
in Aurora, Oregon.

The question is should Fairyhair have been named
when it may just be nothing more than a form of
the misnamed Koto ito komachi that Mr. Vertrees
had in his collection? Had this seedling Maple been
compared to the original Koto ito komachi that
came into Oregon from a California nursery that
originally got their plant in from Japan and it was
known that the misnamed Koto ito komachi existed
in Oregon, then the name Fairyhair then could have
been justified. Now someone will have to bend the
truth a little to tell us what went on but at the same
time I just gave them credence to do what they did
but only if they knew what J.D.'s plant looks like
and hope no one else has it (by the way others do
have it) and also know what the original Koto ito
komachi that came in from Japan looks like. With
the latter true form Koto ito komachi I am not sure
they have seen that one, although it is still seen
around Oregon but in recent years by another name.

Sorry for the hit run. You guys and gals can work
on this one, I am out of it now.

Jim

 

I believe Buchholz takes credit for naming the lineralobum Acer palmatum 'Red Cloud' not 'Red Pygmy'. As for the similarity to the photo on page 34 of the Vertrees 2nd edition, it is pretty hard to discount the strong likeness of J.D.'s 'Koto ito komachi' and 'Fairyhair--the two plants appearing nearly the same in the photos.

 

My mistake, thanks for catching that Michael.

 

The lobes are getting narrower. Photos taken Mar 22 2005.

 

Yet another lucky find at a local nursery. I've been wanting one but had pretty much given up on finding anything affordable! This one is tiny but mighty & I'm thrilled to have it.
Ginger

 

Ginger,
Does that local nursery have a website?

 

Mapleman77,
"Does that local nursery have a website?"

The nursery does have a website but they don't sell from it nor do they ship, so no help to you...besides I got the only only one they had! Try Sam at Eastfork Nursery (www.eastforknursery.com)
She doesn't have 'Fairyhair' listed on her website but she did say she had a couple 2-3 weeks ago...definitely worth asking! I'm curious as to how these delicate little leaves will handle our hot, humid summers...much like yours, I would think.
Ginger

 

Ginger,
Thanks...I'll ask Sam about it...
-David-

 

Does anyone have comments about the amount of sun this plant should get. I recently aquired one with some leaf margin burn. Not sure of root cuase, but wanted to know what other lighting others are using. Dont want too little or too much I assume. Doubtful I will put it in my zone 5b garden any time soon. Its about 12" tall. It will certianly be cold-frames this fall.

 

I would say the usual morning sun and afternoon shade would suit this little guy fine. I haven't had the luck of finding one yet so I can't be sure from experience, but most linearilobums tolerate alot of sun with minimal damage, therefore I would say morning sun should be safe.

 

Ginger, David

Yes, jumping back in here after a few months, Fairyhair continues to be intriguing. I obtained 5 from Talon this year and posted them on Ebay for a nominal $50.00. My cost for a small one in a 4" pot is $25.00. I have ordered a full flat for spring 2008. Not sure if I will add them to my website or not. Buy I will definitely put one by one up for auction on ebay. So far they appear delicate, but have been quite hardy in those little pots. This year I will defintely keep one for myself and grow it into a larger container. Sam 'The Maple Lady'

 

Gumtree Farms Nursery outside of Nashville had 10 or so of these last fall. Unfortunately, the nursery closed/changed management, and I don't know what happened to them. But UT Gardens here in Knoxville got one from Gumtree before they closed. The leaves are threadlike, very distinctive. I would like to talk the gardens into giving me the plant, because I don't think they're taking very good care of it -- but I don't think I have much chance of that!

 

Hey Sam,
Have you decided whether you are going to add your 'Fairyhair' stock to your inventory this year? I might be able to buy one this year; I don't really know, but it looks pretty and interesting to me...the chances of my buying one are pretty great if they're $25.00, plus shipping.

David

 

Hi David,

I paid $25.00 for each 4" pot. For UBC forum members I would sell for $35.00 plus $9.00 to ship Priority Mail. Sam

 

Hey Sam,
thanks for the info! (and the special treatment!) I'll do what I can; I really don't know if I can order it this year, but I'll try! Fairyhair's really cool to me, and I'd love to compare it to other similar threadleafs--like koto ito komachi.

David

 

Hi David, I am attaching a photo of one of my Fairy Hairs. Sam