AusBonsai

I have a Trident Maple that has grown new leaves - obviously thinks that spring has come early this winter.

Brisbane has received a very mild winter in comparison to previous years so I can appreciate my maple being a bit confused.

I was hoping to do a repot and place it into a new handmade pot from Marie Hewartson however I am concerned that the tree may not pull through a repot if it is growing. The new growth is healthy and I'm not sure if I should force it into a wintering by defoliating the tree. Can anyone recommend if I should just leave it this winter and go through another season. Thanks

John

Hi John
Shibui bonsai blog excellent info on maples in particular
I do believe you can repot with very good after care but I have not tried so can't confirm
My maples are in Sydney and one still has not dropped its leaves, others drop but no real color
A bit like your weather here only a touch cooler so maples are not at their best, do odd things

Being a trident I wouldn't be concerned about repotting it now or with leaves on. You could probably chop most of its roots and all its branches and pot it in crushed brick and it will still grow. Growers have successfully repotted tridents, and other deciduous trees, in autumn and even summer and in full leaf. You could leave the new leaves or defoliate if you want to see the structure.

Maybe wait now til the leaves on that tree have hardened? We still have a few weeks where the weather could turn...

Hi John_M , mate I have tridents here still in leaf and some with new leaves , even after 16 frost several of which were quite severe . I have a crab apple lose it leaves yet flower in the last couple of weeks . Mother nature does the strangest of things from time to time and she doesn't have a time table like us human beings .

I have re-potted most species here out of the so called potting season , not all have survived mainly due to after care . Wouldn't hesitate to do a Trident anytime as I collect / dig material when the opportunity arises.

Cheers Alpineart

Repot now and if you want to, defoliate as well.
I have some here with leaves on still but that is nature for ya!

Ken

Thanks guys for your comments.

I have gone ahead and did a repot today and used some of Shibui's seedlings to do some root grafting as well. I have put the maple back into its training pot for one more season to give the seedlings some room to grow.

John