Growing some tridents from seed.

[Smoke]

I started last fall by sowing the seed I bought from a supplier in Oregon. I purchased 600 seeds, but only planted 100. I did not get that good of a germination from the batch but did get enough for my experiment. The seedling were grown under window screen to add some movement to the trunks. I wanted to grow some small shohin type trees with good movement and thought that by growing them under screen they would be forced to wiggle and try to escape from under the jail.

They did...

The type of maple I am looking for is depicted in the picture. Just some nice subtle movement. The seeds were grown under a plastic tote for warmth.

 

[Smoke]

I placed the window screen over the seedlings when they were about an inch tall. At this point they started to wiggle and twist and turn all over the place.

 

[Smoke]

In mid summer they were about 2 feet tall and were starting to look pretty good. Some nice movement in the trunks and I was pretty happy with the results.

 

[Smoke]

Today the tops were cut off. I want the plant to respond with the last little bit of summer we have here and possibly get buds set for nest year in the way of developing branches now.

The trunks are full pencil size and I want these to be pretty much scar free trunks as I grow them out.

These are the photos from today. Should be able to double the trunks and start some branches for next year. Well on their way to becoming some great little shohin maples.

 

[cmeg1]

Awesome,I just love the corner of the bonsai professionals garden that has the cuttings and seedlings for small bonsai.

 

[kirk@localbonsai.com]

Hi Smoke, what is your preferred mix for starting seeds ? I plan on starting some tridents and japanese lace-leaf maples later this spring , I plan on using 50% sand and 50% screened, washed turface , as that's the only mix that I've used with better success than potting soil.
-Kirk

 

[barrosinc]

I was just about to ask for some help on this matter... thanks Al.

 

[Smoke]

Hi Smoke, what is your preferred mix for starting seeds ? I plan on starting some tridents and japanese lace-leaf maples later this spring , I plan on using 50% sand and 50% screened, washed turface , as that's the only mix that I've used with better success than potting soil.
-Kirk

I was just about to ask for some help on this matter... thanks Al.

Contrary to recent postings, I used washed turface and potting soil 50/50. Worked well.

 

[Smoke]

The seedlings have been repotted thru tiles and now have a screen hat to add the same movement to the canopy that I have in the trunks. They are planted in colanders and in much coarser soil for larger/faster growth.

 

[barrosinc]

Hey smoke, just a few questions... I bought some seeds of different palmatums becuase in Chile I cannot find many and I love them.

So I bought some larger nursery trees, and started stratifying my seeds.

Could you help me with an aproximate time frame on what to do with seeds? (Something like first year let them grow, once it gets to a couple feet high chop it down and wait a couple of years... or just let them grow on a tile for 2 years then stick in ground...)

I am aiming for long term here so no need to rush anything... but would like to not make stupid mistakes and realize so 4 years down the road.

 

[cmeg1]

Colanders look cool! How many times a day are you watering now since in colanders? I bet it has really increased.I have 12 zelkova that are going in colanders very soon.I put terra cotta saucers in them thanks to the idea your blog gave me,thanks.

 

[kirk@localbonsai.com]

I say let it grow freely for 2 years in the ground/training pot. Year three begin to choose leader/primary branches.

 

[mcpesq817]

Tridents have to be one of the best deciduous species for bonsai, if not of any type of species. In the ground they grow incredibly fast and can get away from you. I just dug up two tridents that were seedlings from either Matt Ouwinga or Bill Valavanis - they spent one year in a container, then the next two years in the ground on top of a tile. Here is a picture of one of them.

I have another that I planted in the ground maybe four years ago next to a drain spout off my garage. In that time, it grew to maybe 12' in height with a 6"+ base. I chopped it back last year, but I'm wondering if I'll be able to dig it out of the ground as it is really solid in there.

 

[Smoke]

Here is an update of a couple months growth under the screen caps.

I am in uncharted territory here so I have no idea what to expect after this years growth. I do know that what will be left will be a hoot to play with.

 

[GrimLore]

Here is an update of a couple months growth under the screen caps.

I am in uncharted territory here so I have no idea what to expect after this years growth. I do know that what will be left will be a hoot to play with.

Wild movement on those for certain I see a 45/70 degree angle rock/slab forest rugged and wind tossed.

Grimmy

 

[Smoke]

Over the years I have shown small snippets of the tridents I started from seed. They were grown under window screen to add movement and then grown out using home made screen caps. Later they were grouped together to make small clumps. These tridents were grown from seed started in 2013 and this is what we have four years later. All these tree are under 7 inches tall. The base on the five tree group is almost 1.5 inches across and the spread at the soil is about 5 inches.

These were small indeed. Started in groups thru a hole in an upside terra cotta water dish.

 

[Smoke]

They were grown and grown and then chopped back hard. The hole was about 1/4 inch. as they grew they self layered at the dish.

 

[Smoke]

When they got to about 6 feet tall they were chopped back.

 

[Smoke]

The base on some was beginning to flare

 

[Smoke]

Tonite they were pruned and defoliated for Sept. fall push I get here in my climate. Branching is being considered now and some wire to improve shape.