Trident maples

[shibui]

The trident maples are putting on a growth spurt at the moment so I spent a bit of time trimming the other day. Thought I'd share some pics.

Trident #2.JPG

I've left a sacrifice branch near the top of the second one to help heal the large scars at the back of the trunk. It also has a replacement leader being trained. the intention is to remove the old leader and the sacrifice branch this winter but I will see how they look with no leaves.

[Leigh Taafe]

Nice ones mate! You coming up for the Native Show?

[MelaQuin]

Most impressive... wonderful size trunks and the shape is shaping up, if I may say so. What sort of pot are you going to put the top tree in? I presume its current pot is for growth only as I can see it really sparking on in a shallower tray pot. But very nice to see the strong trunks on small trees. You've done well.

[Bretts]

Looking great from here

[Glenda]

I so love maples, but our climate is a problem here. I have been reading about flowering maples as a subsititute - not really a maple but the same shaped leaves. Has anyone had any experience with them? How do they go as a bonsai?

[Jamie]

I so love maples, but our climate is a problem here. I have been reading about flowering maples as a subsititute - not really a maple but the same shaped leaves. Has anyone had any experience with them? How do they go as a bonsai?

not sure bout the flowering maples brett but i think liquid ambers would work for you where you are? possibly?
nice trees aswell shibui!


jamie

[shibui]

Hi Leigh. We will be up for the native show. Still working out what to bring up for the bench.

The first tree is indeed in a training pot. When I judge they have reached the right stage to really work on the ramification I pot them into whatever pots I can find, usually a couple of sizes bigger to keep the development coming on then look for a more suitable pot while the tree develops a bit more. The trouble is fiding suitable pots. There's not much choice around here so we can only pick up good pots on a trip to Melb or Sydney and even then the choices are limited. Any suggestions on good bonsai pot stocks?

Here's another one that came from the growing beds last winter. After it was potted up it was allowed to grow freely at the top to encourage new roots and start healing the scars. This one has had one rough trim of the lower branches but the tips have been allowed to grow freely and are 1.3m tall.

PICT0383.JPG

After pruning it looks a little more presentable and will make a nice twin someday

[magb]

what type of fertilizer can you use on a trident maple and when should they be fertilized

[bodhidharma]

Very nice trunk size on those tridents Shibui.

[shibui]

Feed trident maples with just about any plant food.
I use osmocote + 12 month release in the mix when potting then water with liquid manure or worm juice every couple of weeks during the growing season as well. Any other commercial liquid plant fertiliser if I don't have those on hand.
If the tree hasn't been potted for a couple of years I put dynamic lifter pellets on the soil surface and/ or blood and bone sprinkled on the soil every month or so if I remember. These are slow release so keep leaching fertiliser into the mix whenever it is watered.
Basically, any complete plant fertiliser or combinations will keep them happy.

Bodhi, these are just a few of the ones that have good trunk thickness to height ratio with fewer large scars and decent taper. I've had to grow quite a few to get the good ones. There are more coming on, developing branches and ramification and healing scars. The ones that don't meet my expectations end up going on the sales bench so someone else can take up the challenge.

[Matthew]

im enjoying your maples very much and like the twin trunk one alot. A few years and i think youll have something VERY nice

[Espresso]

Hi Guys,

Just thought i would post my 2 tridents.

[Glenda]

Those look great, Espresso.

[Espresso]

Thanks Glenda, the photos dont do them justice

[Glenda]

Thanks Glenda, the photos dont do them justice

I don't think they ever do, Espresso. One day I hope to have trees that look like that. One day when the trees have grown and I have time to spend styling. I mostly have young trees growing as I get a kick out of watching them grow and thicken, and also I don't have time for a lot of styling etc at present as I work full time and am working on a PhD.

Glenda