Trident maple early development

[@wesleyphillips3211]

Proudly South African viewer, by far the best educational Bonsai You Tube content I have found Terry. The detail and explanation is what makes it for me.Not to mention the quality products you sell and amazing service to match⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

You are very welcome Wesley!

[@AdefBsOfficial]

Thanks you,i am from Indonesian 🇮🇩

[@zafarnaseem4097]

Thank you Terry, your explanations are most revealing

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Zafar!

[@pablo.4421]

Thank you from Spain. All the videos are really helpful but this, in particular, has shown me very important tips to implement with my bonsais. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

That’s wonderful Pablo. I am very glad. I want to visit Spain to see the beautiful bonsai you grow there and eat the amazing food I hear so much about.

[@pablo.4421]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai You will be very wellcome to Spain. I live in Madrid. If you ever come here, I will be your guide and I asure you will eat VERY WELL!!!!!!!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

@@pablo.4421 that will be awesome!

[@leonbotha5694]

Thank you so much

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks for watching Leon.

[@stonelantern1584]

Great video Terry. I think every bonsai grower should look closely at the video, understanding how to develop the foundation of good ramified branches. Too many growers try and wire long branches to develop the bonsai canopy as quickly as possible, developing a herring bone structure that will never develop onto great ramification on a bonsai. I think its time for a 'How to wire' video. Its a skill everybody needs to learn properly. Again great video, thanks.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Stephen. Yes, developing the structure of a bonsai tree is something which requires patience and therefore can often be rushed in favour of more instant gains. However a good structure will ensure a far better future for the tree. Branches without taper, movement and bifurcation only look ok when covered with leaves, once exposed the tree “falls flat.” I will without a doubt do some content on wiring, thanks for the suggestion!

[@AdefBsOfficial]

Bonsai maple very good

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Yes, thank you love them myself

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

Thanks for sharing.... great content.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thank you for watching.

[@TreeVibes]

Great video 👌

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thank you very much!

[@BonsaiCornwall]

Excited is an understatement for this video

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Ha ha, thank you. That kind of enthusiasm inspires me. If you enjoyed this then you will most certainly enjoy next Fridays one. I have already loaded it as I leave for Japan that evening. It is all about approach grafting and some other techniques using another Trident maple, actually one I dug from the field last year and featured on my channel.

[@magdamaritz6370]

Thanks!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks so much Magda, appreciate the support!

[@shivangnisharma9448]

Very informative video, why are the leaves so droopy as if they haven’t been watered, also the two small inverted pots in 2 corners ?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thank you. The leaves are droopy as they are young leaves and have not developed fully yet. I assure you it’s not through lack of water. Inverted pots has organic fertilizer in it. Keeps it moist and together.

[@HavocVulture21]

I just came back to SA after spending many years abroad, where I learnt about bonsai. Do you have any tips for growing in SA specifically? Especially regarding sourcing bonsai soil components, and which work best here. I am in the Johannesburg area. Also, do the Winters here get cold enough for maples to do well? Obviously you have a nice specimen here, but I was wondering how much of a struggle it is.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Hi Kevin. Welcome back, we certainly need people like you back in the country. I think the best is to book a consultation via the website. Your questions cannot be adequately answered on this platform. www.bonsaitree.co.za/products/consultation

[@christiandgreat8127]

Hi Terry, I notice the foliage curl downwards and sometimes it has black stuff at the tip of the leaves., I have those too on my trident. Is there a cure for that? Is that an issue? Thanks Chris

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Hi Christian. Yes. It’s a problem. It’s Anthracnose. A cure? Well I’m working on that. Some say there is but I’m of the opinion one can only control it as it’s in the air. I have this season started using a natural control measure and it has proved to make a massive difference. I do not wish to share the details at this time as I need more time to confirm the longer term effect.

[@elbietaljaard2195]

Very neat video! ... where can I purchase a similar pair of defoliation shears?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Elbie! I bought them directly from Masakuni san in Japan a good number of years ago. They don't make them the same anymore and I have yet to find another similar pair from my regular Japanese suppliers - so for now I cannot offer them to you neither will anyone else. Sorry :(

[@NoQuarter01]

If you cut the tip of a lower branch won’t it still thicken over time?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Sure, it just takes longer. But if there is sapflow there is growth taking place and thus thickening.

[@TejaJaensch]

Is there a method of scarring the trunk to generate/stimulate branches in that area, rather than having to approach graft?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

No Teja, it does not work that way. If there was no bud there it will never bud. Approach grafting is easy and you can place a branch precisely where you need it, no hope required 😁

[@TejaJaensch]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai Thanks Terry, I've just watched your approach grafting video and can see now why my previous attempts don't end up looking very nice.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

@TejaJaensch glad it was helpful to you. I’m sure you’ll get a great result next time.

[@TejaJaensch]

Just an update, my first approach graft based on your method is a success!

[@andrewmaddison8492]

Excellent video again. Quick question if I may? I have a trident that is still in development, not quite as heavy trunked as yours but pretty chunky. One of the lower branches is quite spindly in relation to the trunk and other branches and I definitely need a branch in that location. Would apical pruning redirect energy toward that branch? And if so, is it best to trim back the apex throughout the growing season and leave the spindly brach to grow on? TIA.

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Andrew. No. You need to allow that branch to grow till it’s almost the thickness you want, then cut it back. Continue building the branch structure from that bifurcation.

[@Chris-oq6kn]

Great video terry. Ive read for satsuki u can put some top jin to fill in the wire marks just in the groove i wonder if that would apply to maples what do u think? And is there any organic way to spray maple leafs during the year to prevent these fungal infections?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Chris. There are many ways to deal with wire bite, shaving off the ridge and sealing it with Top Jin will work. Yes there is a way. I found a new product this spring that works brilliantly, it’s called Real Bacillus. It’s organic but unfortunately it’s not yet registered for consumer market only agricultural but I’m working on a solution with the manufacturer.

[@Chris-oq6kn]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai oh thats nice. I did buy castile soap and have read 1tbsp baking soda 1 tbsp castile soap 2 tbsp vegetable oil per lter of water and mix it in a sprayer. I havnt tried it im guessing u can use it all year round. I wanted to find an organic spray so i can spray all of my trees throught the year. Let us know if they ever market that product

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Actually I wanted to talk about the range of products in this video already but I really had to hold my tongue. As soon as I can I will definitely share the information.

[@VersesX33]

How much would some material like this that hasn't been developed cost?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Hi Rob. If you reside in South Africa you are welcome to contact me. As I have so many Trident trunks I might be able to offer this one to you at an amicable price.

[@VersesX33]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai unfortunately not, I'm in the UK!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

I see. Then I would be at a loss of what this sort of material would cost there as the market in UK and SA is vastly different. Trees are much cheaper here as generally quality is not recognized nor valued.

[@markwoodard659]

What specific season are you carrying this out?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Hi Mark. I did say in the video, it’s late spring.

[@russellmitchell9438]

Thank you Terry! That is a solid trunk. You mentioned it was collected from a vineyard? It has a surprisingly well developed taper for a tree that wasn't being cultivated as bonsai. What circumstances do you suppose made it so suitable?

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks Russell. Its been in a pot for around 20 years I would guess. There is some evidence of scars which healed over so there were some large chops to the trunk, some of which I did as you might have seen from the image which I inserted near the beginning. So no, I think it was growing "normally" till being collected and then it was chopped. I admit it should be much further along in its refinement but until 10 year ago I was relatively clueless regards good bonsai technique. I expect the development process to accelerate greatly now though.

[@russellmitchell9438]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai Ahh, I misunderstood the timeline, I had thought the collection was recent. Looking back at that inset image, it was much less of a tree at that time and has been developed substantially. I am grateful to have your videos to guide my learning of good technique.

[@SVIMXNmtg]

Always so happy with your videos! I absolutely love how many facts you throw in! I binged a million vidoes on bonsai but somehow i learnt really much watching a few videos of yours, I also like bjorn and peter chan and also blueskybonsai! Do you have your own bonsai school? Im 32 now and my dream is to live off bonsai or trees one day so im currently planning my own nursery! Do you have any tips for me to build a sustainable business? Im in love with trees and like they say make your hobby your profession is kind of my goal! Thanks Terry and all the best from Switzerland

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

I have many happy memories from a few visits to Swtzerland, amazing place! Thanks for watching. I really appreciate the support and that you have managed to gain some new information from them. Absolutely, there are some amazing bonsai channels today and its good to get different techniques and views. Yes, I am very fortunate indeed to do what I love. Unfortunately in my country it is impossible to support yourself and family from working on customers trees alone, although I do a lot of that work. My online business www.bonsaitree.co.za is the main source of income and I think you should consider something along this line if you are serious about making bonsai your profession.

[@sabikmercuriobravo5976]

What are you u sing againts antracnosis???

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Sabik it’s a bit complicated to explain but it’s a natural, live bacteria called Bacillus. It attacks the bacteria which causes anthracnose. After 3 applications about 1 week apart the results are spectacular.

[@pablo.4421]

Then, you have my personal email in case you plan your trip. Please, let me know it and I will be very pleased to have you here. At least, we can give you something after all the time and effort you give us for free!!!!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Pablo that is such a kind gesture. Just before covid happened we were supposed to come to Spain. Perhaps we can make it happen in 2023. Thank you for your kind gesture.

[@bikedoc59]

Thanks!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

Thanks so much for your support Mike!

[@b.bonsai]

Thanks!

[@TerryErasmusbonsai]

It is my pleasure! I was at the recent Taikan ten in Kyoto, Japan and they had a bonsai auction with some of the funds going to 🇺🇦. I trust you are safe where you are.

[@b.bonsai]

@@TerryErasmusbonsai we are happy, that many people in the world support Ukraine!