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Author Topic: First Potting of Field Grown Trident  (Read 8455 times)

Chrisl

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First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« on: March 23, 2012, 08:58 AM »
I just got this huge Trident last night from a fellow BSG member.  Not sure he wants me to name him, so for now, it came from a very experienced and talented bonsaist.

Here are the pictures of the root system as is.  It was suggested to me to plant this in a cement mixing bin, and I'm asking for suggestions how to best proceed at this crucial time.  

« Last Edit: March 23, 2012, 09:16 AM by Chrisl »
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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2012, 09:00 AM »
I just realized I didn't get a shot of it standing upright.  Let me know if you want/need this shot.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2012, 09:16 AM by Chrisl »
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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2012, 09:03 AM »
Stange...The ones with improper orientation are displayed perfectly in Picasso.  Not sure why they are upside down/sideways.

Edit:  Ok, I got the orientations right.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2012, 09:19 AM by Chrisl »
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nathanbs

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2012, 09:39 AM »
i would gently wash off the dirt and put it in fast draining inorganic soil and you should be fine. ideally 2 parts akadama 1 part lava 1 part pumice, add a little charcoal and a little decomposed granite. This is boons mix for deciduous
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bwaynef

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2012, 10:00 AM »
What nathan said, except I'd go ahead and cut off any roots growing straight down.  I can't really decide if your final nebari is there ...or if you'll have to grow it yourself.  If the latter, go ahead and start addressing that now.  Make sure you secure it in the pot/tub.
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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2012, 10:24 AM »
Thanks guys!  I realized it would help if I had pics of the nebari.  Again strange, it only is oriented the right way if I upload one picture at a time.  At least you all have the pics now ;)

« Last Edit: March 23, 2012, 10:31 AM by Chrisl »
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John Kirby

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2012, 10:37 AM »
Wash lightly as Nathan suggests, then cut everything off that isn't part of the ring of roots (or small roots that emerge around the trunk at the same level or so). Get it into the tub, add the soil, water it in well and then put Sphagnum moss around the trunk. Waterwell. Be sure to not leave any big airpockets under the trunk. Do not seal any of the cuts below ground- they will serve as stating points for more roots.

Move to a location (before watering!) where it can sit for an extended period- until June or later, before it would have to be moved.  This will protect the roots from breaking off as they emerge from new spots.

Good luck. You should have seen the really big ones, Frank must have been hiding those. I know the big kahuna is still in place, maybe I can convince the buyer to let me in to dig em. Folks looking for big tridents, PM me, I can put you in contact with the digger or show some that we have in tubs that will be repotted in to boxes soon.

John

 
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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2012, 10:53 AM »
Thanks John for the detailed instructions!  And now you all know where I got this monster from ;))  And John?  There are even bigger ones??  Wow!  This one is plenty big for me lol

John, any particular location?  I have full sun areas, a small area with 30% shade cloth, and a north side that gets at the most, an hr or two of direct sun, the rest in total shade and not a lot of air movement there too.

I've been using for substrate, 1 part Turface, 1 part grit and 1 part lava and charcoal.  Now that I've been watching how fast they dry out, I'm thinking of changing to 2 parts Turface, 1 part grit and 1 part lava and charcoal.   What would you recommend?

Oh, and one last question, does it matter the size whole I drill for drainage as long as they are spread out evenly on the bottom of the  tub?...like is it better to have say 1" whole every 6" or so, or 1/2" every few inches?  (I've been wondering about this a lot as I've been potting up trees in wooden boxes this spring)


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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2012, 11:53 AM »
Oh, and John, I only have the small version of the cement mixing tub, it looked like it was in the larger version.  I have the day off today and can run to H Depot and get a larger one if you think that's better.
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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2012, 02:22 PM »
Well I looked pretty carefully and it was in a lg. cement tub.  So I just got back from the store with a big one. 

I'm just going to use 3/4" holes and place in full sun as I need to get this potted up.

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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2012, 07:49 PM »
Wow, what a job!  Made worse when I halfway had it filled in with my normal mix and tried lifting it...forget it!  So I had to scoop out the Turface/Grit/Lava and changed over to 2:1 Turface/Lava.  Now I could handle it alone.  So the first three pics are with the orig. substrate and the last two are the completed potting on the side of the backyard.
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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2012, 07:50 PM »
The other two.  I had some 1" PVC pipe laying around, and moving the tub was cracking it.  So I wired up pieces of the PVC under the lip of the tub.  Very sturdy and works like a charm.

No I'm off to pass out LOL
« Last Edit: March 23, 2012, 07:53 PM by Chrisl »
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T-Town Bonsai

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2012, 09:18 PM »
Looking good.  Now don't mess with it and let it grow.
Frank
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Chrisl

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2012, 08:42 AM »
Thanks Frank!  And it's in a place that has great sun and I will not touch it till next winter when I'll bring in for protection.  Should be real interesting how much new growth it'll push out this summer

On thought if I could get your advice?  What happens if the temps don't stay above 40F at night?  What should I do if it hits 32F?...so hoping not though ;)
« Last Edit: March 24, 2012, 09:08 AM by Chrisl »
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donmaple

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Re: First Potting of Field Grown Trident
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2012, 11:43 AM »
Great job Chris! Thanks for posting. If you feed this monster all spring and let the top grow uncontrolled you will be astounded at the root mass when you repot. Good luck on what can be a really hansom trident. You need to let the tree grow to regain some health, but when you do repot cut all those roots that grow straight down and when you trim the others make your cuts horizontal with the planted angle of the tree. You will see your nebari flare out! Tridents are really tough and forgiving trees. Excellent find! Don.
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