AusBonsai

Hi everyone,

I enjoyed a day out at the Bonsai Society of Victoria Show today and I purchased a partially trained Trident Maple for 30 bucks. I am wanting some advice on what to do with the maple at thi stage and have attached some photos to view. I asked a bloke at the show if I should wire some of the branches into place now and he recommended I should not wire it yet, instead let it grow for a couple of years. This response has me confuced.. it is my understanding that now would be a good time to wire it whilst the branches are still supple and easier to bend. If I took his advice wouldnt the branches be bigger and stronger and therfore more difficult to bend??

If I dont wire it (depending on your responses) what should I do with it, i.e. put it in the ground/grow box.. etc.. likewise what should I do with it if I do wire it??

Secondly, I have a Japanese Maple at about the same stage as this Trident. At this time of the year the leaves are bursting out quite rapidly and some of them are quite large. Should I be removing the large ones to force smaller leaves?? if so when and how is recommended. I have been removing the bigger leaves and for some reason I feel like I am doing the wrong thing, as my J. Maple always seems to be bear of foliage due to my constant pinching of the leaves.. am I doing the right thing,

looking forward to your responses, many thanks

Hi hutch. It depends what you want to get out ofthe tree, do you want a bigger tree? Or are you happy with the size? If you are happy with the size you could wire it though I would leave it till mid winter. Then start to get it in shape. If you are comfortable with wiring around the leaves ten you could do it now though if you cut branches it will probably bleed so be careful.

Bring it to the next meet mate.

$30! thats the best bargain I've ever heard. I would have paid $80 for this and still been happy!

Hi Hutch this is a simple way of setting the branches horizontal and without the risk of snapping .I have never had a damaged branch using pegs and if you look closely at the pics ,some branches have multiple pegs on the same branch .Don't allow the wind to hit the tree or you will end up with a broken branch or two .As for removing big leaves the distance between the bigger leaves is usually further than ideal .Allow the leaves to harden off and pinch them back to the first set ,this will produce side shoots and ramify the branch . In doing so it should decrease the distance between the leaf internodes and slowly reduce the leaf size . It doesn't always work but ,i have a Japanese Maple that has 4-5 inch leaves and from the same seed batch another tree has 1 1/2 inch leaves . This is 2 different extremes from the same seed . Wiring of maples now is risky as the tree is in full growth spurt and the likely hood of wire marks is almost unavoidable.If you place wire loops around the pot or tub you can use what i call "hook and hold" wiring .Simply hook the wire down to an anchor point be it the pot lip or a wire wound around the pot . Hook the other end over the branch making sure that an isulated pad {rudder , felt etc }so you dont mark the branch .When you want to adjust the branch lower down simple grasp it i the middle with a long nose pair of pliers ,holding the wire with the other hand firmly and simple twist the pliers and it will roll the wire reducing the length and lowering the branch . This is only my prefered method as its quick and simple . Hope this helps .Cheers

this is good advice, it is interesting to me aswell
and that is a great find for that price

I have never had a damaged branch using pegs and if you look closely at the pics ,some branches have multiple pegs on the same branch

Hm.... Pegs on the bonsai - no pegs on the clothes line. That explains all the strange socks & jocks in my backyard

how old is it?