Trident forest... my first...

[Qitianlong]

Hey all,
so inspired from this weekend at Ray's!
I've just started this year, and here is a maple forest I put together in late March. Very nervously I watched to see if new leaves would come in Spring or if I'd stuffed it, and it seems to have survived!
Now... because it is so new, do I leave it as is and let it grow out a bit to get established in the pot? or do I start shaping immediately? If so... what's the first step?
Also, there are seven trees in the pot, does this mean I have to re-pot more or less often? Still every 2 years? When I re-pot it, will the whole structure remain, or do the individual trees separate?
Thanks for your help!

[LLK]

The picture is far too small to allow a good appreciation of your forest, which looks like it might be worth it.

Lisa

[Qitianlong]

yes... i can see that now! the first time I tried to upload the picture it was too big... let me try again...

[Qitianlong]

trident forest2.jpg

[Qitianlong]

this is it when i'd just planted it...

trident forest just planted.jpg

[MoGanic]

Looking good mate, perhaps when all the new growth has settled in you should start looking at pruning it to the basic shape of a forest?

-Mo

[kcpoole]

good effort
Now is the time to be trimming back each of the branches to start to keep them under control and start to build shape

Cut them back to 2 leaves so they will reduce.

Ken

[Qitianlong]

just an update on this forest:

20131101_095003 (1024x988).jpg

[Elysius]

Looks impressive for your first forest!

I love your choice of pot as well, really accentuates the features.

[Qitianlong]

Thanks Elysius! For some reason the moss on this setting does so much better than on my other pots... must be the forest shade

[Qitianlong]

Update:

forest resized 2016.jpg

[Qitianlong]

2018 Spring

forest.jpg

[KIRKY]

All your trees are the same height. If it were mine I would shorten the outer trees, this would give you the start of your triangle shape.
Cheers
Kirky

[Qitianlong]

Thanks Kirky, that's a good plan. I'll see if the centre trees want to grow a little taller too.