AusBonsai

I have started digging up maples (Japanese and trident) since 30/06/2012.

Around three (3) years ago, I did two trident maples fusing on two (2) years old seedlings; and I ground growed them since.

Today, 04/07/2012, I re-located the first one:


Fused trident 1 -- View 1


Fused trident 1 -- View 2

So, basically this a five (5) years old seedlings which have been fused for three (3) years.
This fusing has only seedlings, nothing in the middle. This is slightly bigger of the two. It is currently around one (1) meter tall. I will cut it to about 30 cm when I judge the time is right.

Hi Daiviet , nice growing mate . I have a lot of these on the go some fuse better than others . Of late i have had the misfortune of not keeping a close eye on them over the growing period , but each successfully fused trunk is very unique . When trimming i try to choose the strong leaders and wire them together after removing the weaker whips . This helps with taper , some have fused in a season and are very nice spiral bases . I need to thread some more whip into others if i had some . I didn't grow any last year but have plenty of un-fused trunks that will be pulled apart to hopefully use for this purpose . Well done.

Cheers Alpine

Good evening alpineart,

I have also found that when we fuse them, leave the seedlings tall; and ideally they should be of similar thickness; around 2 years old should be good.

I also did another one much later on older seedlings, I found it a bit difficult as the seedlings are harder.

Thank you for the info on choosing the new leader. I keep this in mind then I chop

Best regards.

I remember us getting all hyped up over this idea and it looks like you are the only one to have produced it. Good for you. They look sound to

Gee they look pretty good... Gives some good character to the trunk!

Hi bodhidharma,

This method, as I understand it, appeared on the internet a few years back by Mr. Douglas Phillips of America. He first used wood in the middle, he found that wood is not working so well. Then he used a metal frame. He used cable ties to tie the seedlings to the frame. Very time-consuming and sophisticated, but the final results after just about two years are very impressive and convincing.

For me, this is just a butchered version of his idea.

I have just re-located the second one at precisely 11:00AM this morning, 07/07/2012:


Fused trident 2 -- View 1


Fused trident 2 -- View 2

It is the smaller of the two. But I feel that it is a better one in term of fusing, primarily there are less gaps. I have also progressively cut it off rather aggressively, it is about half a meter tall. Once the time is right, I will cut it down further. And select the main leader.