[Pearcy] My First Trident.

[Pearcy001]

I'll have another look at the tree today and decide if I am going to trunk chop it further down to remove the straight section. I guess I'll either chop at the left branch and try grow that branch upward if it'll budge, or cut higher up and see if I can get a lucky bud in the right spot above that branch. All thoughts/opinions are welcome.

Pearcy, once the top bud starts growing pinch it out quite early. This will ensure the internodal space stays short. You can then grow it nice and thick, but you keep the buds. If you just let it grow out, it's touch and go as to whether it will give you a short internodal length.

Thanks Andrew! I appreciate the advice.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[Pearcy001]

Slight update,

Roots are still progressing (sorry I forgot to take a photo).

I removed the two lower sacrifice branches and will now attempt to work on the branch ramification.

All comments welcome as always.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[Pearcy001]

This one got its first defoliation today - and my first one too. Tree was beaming with health.

A quick question.

Is it ok to return the tree to full sun immediately after defoliation? I'd assume yes as you want the internodes to grow back short, just wanting to double check if it needs a slight rest in the shade first or not. The tree as I said was in great health (although I am still yet to fertilise this tree this spring).

The recently removed branches have already begun rolling over. A new shoot has pushed on the right and will now be grown out to be the new lower branch.

Cheers,
Pearcy.



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[Daluke]

Was the tree in full sun before?

[Pearcy001]

The fullest of suns mate.

Just wasn't sure if the defoliation process during the first hot spell of summer would cause the freshly cut back shoots to have dieback?

Some of the shoots are still green as you can see in the photo and I thought they may roast without the protection of the foliage.

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[Daluke]

She’ll be right in full sun if the full sun was penentrating them before hand. If they were shades out from the canopy I’d say no because the new leaves were protected.

Full sun will help promote smaller leaf size and internode size. I’d avoid fertilising from now. Fertilising a few leaves now will result in large leaves and internode length.

It’s the wind you have to worry about and the pot drying out too because of too coarse a mix.

[BB Brian]

Love coming across these posts. Awesome read and progression!
I'm still new to the scene but some of my Tridents have slight leaf burn from full day sun over the last week (Sydney). In our Maple class they've recommended it is better in some afternoon shade when it comes to our summer days.
I've moved my Trident forest already due to recent experiences, but the 2 that were burnt were only starter trees and trunk is still less than pencil thickness.
Your Trident is looking amazing and way more mature!
Happy to follow this one over the years. All the best!


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[Pearcy001]

Seeking some advice please.

Planning on defoliating this one again - 2 months since the last defoliation.

If I defoliate again now, will I have time to get a third defoliation in this season? The tree is super healthy and continuing to push abundant growth without any liquid fert this season.

Or would I be better off holding off for now and only doing 2 defoliation's for the season?

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[squizzy]

Pearcy you have done an outstanding job. You will be duely rewarded in the next few years with a great tree.

Thanks for keeping the tread updated

Squizzy

[Pearcy001]

I ended up giving this one it's second defoliation for this season, in the hope of getting a third in before autumn.

Unfortunately I have had a few things going on the last couple months, so this one never received any pinching back after the last defoliation. Further buds still popped all over the tree after the last defoliation and I'm hoping more will pop this time around.

The tree needs a new shoot to pop on the lower left hand bend in order to give me a lower left branch. If it doesn't I'll consider trying my hand at either a approach or thread graft.

I now have two options for the lower right branch. Option 1 seems the better of the two with the 2nd being a bit too low. Unfortunately no growth occured on option 1 after the last defoliation even though the shoot is still green, so I'm holding onto option 2 for now as a fall back.

Hope everyone is having a great start to the year!

Cheers,
Pearcy.



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[Pearcy001]

Leaf size still not reducing, and I am still yet to fertilise this season what so ever.

Maybe a smaller pot is the only option, thoughts? (That's a 300mm pot).

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[Reklaw]

I cant offer any advice Pearcy as I've only been growing bonsai's since breakfast. I wanted to say though that is a solid trunk you've grown there! Movement isn't over the top and the taper flows nicely.

[Pearcy001]

Thanks Reklaw, although I can't really take the credit. The stock was grown by Shibui and I just thickened it up a little further and continued trying to refine it since the first post in this thread.

Cheers.

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[Reklaw]

Nonetheless, you didn't kill it!

[Pearcy001]

Another year another repot, still trying to get those roots right. Fingers crossed I can get that bottom branch to take off this season. This one is now back into the orchid pot for another year before I reassess again next year.

Cheers,
Pearcy.



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