I've got a photo of my two Trident Maple starters I'd like to show you. Yin an Yang popped into my head as I was typing the topic title, but actually seems to suit these two quite well. They're both about 4 - 5 years old. Mr Cedar there in the background and my terribly sooky Serissa too, please excuse them.
They're both two of the first trees I ever purchased, mind you I'm still very green myself. We'll start with the guy on the left. I know everything I've read about choosing a tree, especially when beginning, says to stay away from sick or unhealthy ones but I just couldn't help myself. When I saw him sitting in the nursery, literally 4-5 withered leaves on a stick in a pot, I just had to at least try and save him. The only Trident there, and I had always loved them. After a few weeks at home, I guess I must have done something right - he's exploded in foliage, although not as thoroughly as I had hoped but still absolutely loving it. The photo does neither the density nor vibrancy of colour justice. Started watering him properly, removed the moss (growing elsewhere), given him more sunlight, a bit of tlc and Hobart's summer seems to have done him wonders. It's actually taken on a terrible angle, not the front, the trunk has a really nice slow curve which im going to try and keep pronounced as it thickens.
Now, onto Yang. I was in the same nursery about a week later with my little sister, I'd driven her down so she could choose a bonsai with my (attempted) guidance. We were looking through the stock when I saw him. I couldn't believe my eyes. Had I missed it when I bought my other Trident?! Did they have it 'out the back', so to speak, and restocked since I'd been in!? I was shocked, I just couldn't figure it out. Here was another Trident, this one with a beautiful shape to work with (IMHO), flourishing and looking about 100x healthier - for the same price. Pride kicked in and I took it to the counter with my sisters mystery elm to enquire. It had been out the front on show as advertising for their bonsai. I'd walked straight past and bought the unhealthiest one for the same price. Pride took over, and I was owner of my 2nd Trident
NOW, being kept in almost literally the exact same conditions as the other (i.e. metres apart) he seems to have gone the opposite way. I know trees don't go by a calendar but isn't it a little early for the leaves to be turning? Even so, why the drastic difference in leaf colour between the two? The photo makes it seem greener than it is I feel, I would say 80-85% of foliage has turned red. I've read comments saying Tridents should still be going strong at this time of year
so I removed the layer of pebbles and threw in a couple of blood and bone pellets and also made damn sure I've been watering correctly but I'm honestly stumped. Same conditions, polar opposites?
they're going to love it. from here on in it's girth, girth, girth!
