The Trident Maple Bonsai, botanical name Acer buergerianum, is native to eastern China and Japan. The Trident Maple got its name because it has leaves with three-pointed lobes.
One of the main features of Trident Maple is that it can take heavy root pruning, which makes it perfect for bonsai.
You can use different styles with the Trident Maple bonsai tree, including curved trunk, broom, group plantings, and clump styles. Root-over-rock style is also very popular because of the rapid root growth.
Trident Maple Bonsai Watering
Needs to be watered on a daily basis during its growth period, from the middle of spring to the end of summer, since roots have high water content. Trident Maple bonsai tree requires much less water during winter time, so keep the soil moist but well drained.
Trident Maple Bonsai Pruning
Trim new shoots during growing season keeping one pair of leaves on old trees and two pairs of leaves on young trees. You need to keep only one pair of leaves per shoot when they grow at each leaf node.
Leaf-cutting ensures that leaves are small. During summer cut back weak branches by 1/3. That will strengthen the branches and encourage new growth.
Trident Maple Bonsai Fertilizing
Start feeding with general fertilizer from spring to early fall. It is better to use nitrogen-free fertilizer in early fall to avoid the color diminish of autumnal leaves. You don’t need to fertilize during winter.
Trident Maple Bonsai Hardiness
The Trident Maple Bonsai tree can tolerate freezing temperatures for a short period of time when mature enough. I would recommend protecting it from severe freezing and early in the winter because its fast-growing roots are sensitive to frost damage. Trident Maple bonsai tree does the best in temperatures from 35F – 90F. The ideal location is USDA Zone 5.
Trident Maple Bonsai Repotting
The established Trident Maple bonsai tree needs to be repotted once every two years. Younger tree needs to be repotted yearly during spring before buds open. The best soil for Trident Maple is Japanese Akadama clay.
Trident Maple Bonsai Pets and Diseases
Trident Maple bonsai trees are generally problem-free. They could be sometimes attacked by aphids. Other maple pests include borers, scales, and whiteflies.
If you have poor air circulation or dry roots, powdery mildew might develop. Under a lot of stress, they may be affected by leaf spot and anthracnose.
Buying Trident Maple Bonsai
There are a lot of different places you can get a Trident Maple bonsai from. My friends and I buy all of our bonsai trees online from “Bonsai Boy” Nursery located in New York. I tried buying bonsai trees from other sites, but they had much higher prices and the trees were not always properly trained.
“Bonsai Boy” has the lowest prices and highest quality bonsai trees you can find. This family-operated company has been in business since 1993. It has been really great experience and I feel lucky finding them. To buy Trident Maple click on the links below:
Buy Trident Maple Bonsai Tree »
