AusBonsai

Hi guys,

Have a trident that I was no longer happy with. I root pruned and trunk chopped it at the start of spring 2017.

As of today (11th January 2018) it is still as yet to push any buds, but it has pushed roots that can be seen from under the pot.

My main question is, without an active period would a tree die?

It isn't a young trunk (but not that old either) so that may have something to do with it. Trunk is still green underneath.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Without leaves the tree will be using up stored nutrients and energy. Without leaves it will eventually die. The good news is that it could take several years to totally exhaust the tree's stored energy. I'd just and keep looking after it as long as the bark seems green in the hope that buds will start.
It is possible but rare that there are no dormant buds on the section of trunk you have left.

would it be possible to thread graft a branch onto it, or would that be pushing it?

Still no buds on this one.

I have been a bit slack with the fert the last couple months.

Would dosing it with a high N fert possibly assist?

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Tridents are tough but i would imagine with heat and water something should of happened by now. Check under bark if still green give it more time ,if not bin it.

Hi all. Chasing some more advice on my OP please.

This one is still a bare stump after having been chopped around Aug - Sep 2017. A full growing season down and still no signs of buds... Scratch test is still green. Thoughts?

Should I still be fingers crossed as Neil said and wait longer, or time for emergency surgery with a thread graft?

Cheers,
Pearcy

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What size is the tree?

Hi Pearcy,
Can you send us a pic. Have you had a look at what’s going on with the roots? Now is a good time to check. Would also replace soil that it is currently in.
Personally if it doesn’t shoot this season I would get rid of it! It’s taking up valuable bonsai space
Cheers
Susan

Hi Andrew,

Was going to be shohin size. Here's a photo of it it at the time of the original repotting (dated 15 August 2017)



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KIRKY wrote:Hi Pearcy,
Can you send us a pic. Have you had a look at what’s going on with the roots? Now is a good time to check. Would also replace soil that it is currently in.
Personally if it doesn’t shoot this season I would get rid of it! It’s taking up valuable bonsai space
Cheers
Susan

Hi Kirky,

Roots are fine. When I checked them earlier in the growing season they were coming out the bottom of the pot.

It's only a small stump so I can get rid of it if need be, I'm just more so intrigued now haha.

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Roots looked good in 2017, the fact that they haven’t been drawing/feeding leaves this may have changed.
I would still lift it to take a fresh look, it is a mystery.
Interested in what treeman / shibui or Bohdi think.
Cheers
Kirky

Pump full of nitrogen?

I’ve never had anything compare other than root cuttings.

They’ve stayed bare for a year + before leafing out. If it’s green that’s a good sign. Roots growing can’t be bad either.

Daluke wrote:Pump full of nitrogen?

I’ve never had anything compare other than root cuttings.

They’ve stayed bare for a year + before leafing out. If it’s green that’s a good sign. Roots growing can’t be bad either.

Scratch test is green, roots are growing and chop scar is healing. But no bud swell what so ever. I only fed lightly as I wasn't sure of the cause.

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Hopefully it comes to the party this Spring cos that is a promising looking base.
Sorry, I don't have much advice to give ...

Odd. If it does not bud this spring I would approach graft a few whips to the upper lip area. At least then it can make food for the roots. You can then graft branches further down at a later date.