Following advice

[Smoke]

Much of the time many of the old gaurd posters are seen as rigid, condescending, arrogant and many other adjectives I can't even spell correctly. The problem is that much of the good stuff gets glossed over by all the bickering and fighting and rather than just close the mouth and open the ears, (or eyes in the case of the net) a person could really learn something at one of these places.

Many year ago at bonsaiTALK I posted a thread early on there about growing seedling plants under window screen. Some just read and clicked on, some commented on an idea but really had no use for it and others were nice and said nice things but in all those year I have never ever heard of anyone actually trying the method. For many years I have never been interested in growing maples from seed. I am more interested in purchasing something 6 inches across at the base and building from there.

But... there could be time in this old mans life if I grow something that is a fast grower and could show me something right away. This is where for me, the trident maple fills the bill quite nice. I have come to love this species not for many of the fine attributes it has as a bonsai, but what it can do for me in a short amount of time and the amount of sheer technique this plant can handle.

Anyone interested in the whole thing can read about it at my blog listed below, look in the catagories section for growing trident from seed and read it all.

What I can do though now is show some of the achievement I have had in a short 6 months. I allowed one plant to grow unhindered. It grew with gusto and is now nearly as large as a pencil in 6 months.

 

[Smoke]

Now this is the seedlings I now have that grew under the window screen. Much more movement, the bark, brown bark is twisted and has texture already. I am excited at the prospect of growing some of these out as single trees for later.

Don't count out us ole fuddy duddies, we still have a few things to share.

 

[marcosolo]

I know this question is probably covered in the blog, but I wouldn't mind just hearing from you if your willing. What is the best method for germinating these guys, in your opinion? I'm sowing a few thousands seeds this coming spring and would appreciate any leg up.....

 

[wireme]

Automatic generation of random movement, I like it. Do you still have any from your posts of many a year ago?
Mp

 

[will0911]

this is a great idea that i will try with cherry seeds im going to sow in spring! one person heard you!

 

[pwk5017]

Im glad you finally cracked and started growing stuff from seed : )

Tridents are fast growers, but I still think JBP have them beat. Just my experience of growing both from seed the last 5 or so years. Idk if i will ever sow another trident seed. I prefer cuttings and airlayers off superior mother plants.

 

[october]

Hi Al, always great stuff. Also, I noticed the pine in your blog below the maple. Speaking of pines, how is that little twisted up one you did a couple years back? Last time I saw it, you had created a very nice base with all the twists. I have to say that with your experience, combined with the long growing season, you seem to create bonsai and pre bonsai material at an incredibly accelerated rate.

Rob