Trident Forest, #2426
Left Coast Bonsai, Sep 2024, $100/thirteen. ($8)
Repot in spring as a forest, with root work and washers.
Possibly slip pot now.
May do basic wiring to correct any odd features.
Inspiration
Williams N. Valavanis
Select several seedlings of different sizes for the forest(s). Find the base of the trunk and remove most or all the soil.
The timing of planting the forests is perfect if buds begin to open and grow. Even if the seedlings are leafed out they can be transplanted.
Each seedling was examined for trunk thickness, shapes and root systems.
Bill mostly used the soil they were growing in since it was moist and easily supported the trees. Our nursery mix is chicken grit, Turface and Pro Mix in equal amounts. We have had excellent results using this mix and Osmocote fertilizer is also added.
It is important to have all the trees wired to avoid movement. The two pieces of wire had four ends. Two were placed diagonally through the forest for anchoring. They were tied together using a bonsai pliers which only meets at the tip. Both ends of the wire must be carefully twisted together equally. Sometimes the long wire was also used again through the forest.
Moss is used to stabilize each tree and they can also be turned and adjusted too.
Finally the heights of each trees was established and crossing branches removed.
This is only the first potting of the forest and they will be refined though the growing season.