of the survived ones. When the cutting was taken, it was about 1 mm thick.
I cannot remember the exact age of this cutting. But it must be more than 4 years old.
I collected this rock from Mount Samson region in Queensland. It does not feel like a
rock but rather fossilised timber. It is soft, even if being tapped on with only a
spoon, small pieces would fall off. I like the colour of the rock, it blends in with
the colour of the bark.
Presently, I have a about 100 3-year-olds trident maples, which I have grown from seeds.
The following photos were taken on 11/August/2008:
This pot is Japanese. I think it is just a mass-produced pot. I paid $36.00 for it.
* Some basic measurements:
Pot length: 32 cm.
Pot width: 24 cm.
Pot height: 9 cm (including the "legs".)
Tree height: 40 cm.
Trunk diameter: 3 cm. Measured right on the surface.
The below next lot of photos were taken on 21/September/2008:
There were 7 shoots on top; one will be a new leader. Another will become a new branch.
The rest will be cut off.
The following lot of photos were taken on 02/November/2008:
A new leader has been chosen, a new branch has also been created. All branches have
been wired about 3 weeks before the photos were taken, when the branches were still
young. The wires used are less than 1 mm thick.
I have found that it is more effective to wire trident maple branches when they are
still green (young,) we do not have to leave wires on for too long, and most importantly
branches will take on the designated positions much faster too.
I plan to cut off the new leader at the drawn line. And that will be its final height.
From thence on I will concentrate on develop the top and ramification -- at the moment
there are just branches.
This final lot of photos were taken on the 30/November/2008. The wiring and trimming have
been carried out on the evenings of 28 and 29 November/2008:
It still requires some more adjustments.
It looks a bit more balance from this view.
Yes, adjustments are necessary.
I like this view too.
*
* *
It and I still have a long way to go. I like this tree, I think I learn much more
about trident maple when I actually document my progress.
With this tree, I think this would be the final heavy trimmings for this growing
season.
)
