Raw stocks

[Bonbon]

Saw this on internet, raw material selling in China. Literally millions of them selling like these.
Last two are trident maples.
Just curious, why there is so few roots? Almost all raw stuffs selling there had no fine roots. Obviously they can survive otherwise no one would buy. How come?

[Bonbon]

Isn't this pyracantha looks more commonly seen stock plant with roots?

[shibui]

Trident maple are very resilient. When I dig tridents from the grow beds I prune the roots just like this and still get 100% survival. The good thing about pruning roots like this is that you will get a much better nebari with roots dividing and ramifying from quite close to the trunk. If the tree just has 4 or 5 roots and you leave them long then that's all you will ever have.
The other thing about leaving roots longer is that at some stage you will want to put the tree into a bonsai pot which is relatively small. have you ever tried forcing a tree with long roots into a bonsai pot?

[melbrackstone]

I bought bare root stock in Winter from a couple of different places in Au, and they all looked like this. Once Spring comes they power away.

Not so sure of how they'd go buying from China in Winter and bringing them here in our Summer....if it's even possible with customs.