Trident Maple Styling Advice

lewis_milnes · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject: Trident Maple Styling Advice

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased this trident maple and it looks to have the beginings of a nice bonsai! However I am unsure where to begin really, the branches look to be in fairly nice positions for an informal upright, i think maybe the lower right branch needs to be grown abit? As for the girth of the trunk will this just gradually increase or should i take measures to increase it myself?

The tree stands around 30cm tall at present

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq263/lmilnes/TM3-sep-08.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq263/lmilnes/TM4-sep-08.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq263/lmilnes/TM6-sep-08.jpg

Any advice on areas that need to be worked on or thinned out would be greatly appreciated!

Lewis

keithmart · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Trident Maple Styling Advice

Hi

It is a bit thin and leggy at the moment. If I were you I would plant it in the ground for at least a year, if not longer, and allow the trunk to thicken a bit. It will then makea far better bonsai.

lewis_milnes · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Trident Maple Styling Advice

While its planted in the ground do ya still prune it and keep it in check or just let it grow away?

Thanks,
Lewis

Crazeegang · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Trident Maple Styling Advice

Give it time to settle a bit but you could reduce the branches a little when you plant it.

yamadorinige · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: Trident Maple Styling Advice

whilst it is in the ground just leave it to grow unchecked. You may also want to consider trunk chopping it in the spring, this will encourage shoots to form lower on the trunk which will help to thicken the trunk

kenuk · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:05 am Post subject: Re: Trident Maple Styling Advice

Yes i think i would plant it in the ground, but the pot looks big anough to leave it in, if you have no ground space. but come spring i would airlayer the top above the fist branch and encourage branching lower down.

ken

delboy · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: Hi

Hi Lewis, i agree that you should put it in the ground for a while to thicken the trunk. When you do you should plant it on a tile or a piece of slate and arrange the roots so that they are evenly placed around the trunk. This will not only make it easier to dig up again but will give you a good even root system. For any more imformation i would take a look at "Bonsai with Japanese Maples" by Peter Adams. I really rate this book, it has some really interesting techniques in it.
Delboy.

lewis_milnes · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Trident Maple Styling Advice

Thanks very much everyone for your responses!

Just one final thing..is now the right time to transplant it into the ground or should i wait untill repotting season? And once its in the ground is it ok to hard prune it back after every growing season or not?

Cheers,
Lewis

n33bling · Green Belt Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 514 Location: Oregon

I think they are saying to let it grow wild for a bit and prune just enough so it wont get to big,or out of hand, this will thicken your trunk