Trident maple/satsuki azalea

I had a chance Togo to brad Russell's, of the bonsai learning center, house yesterday and picked up two things: a shohin trident maple and a satsuki. I really had my eye on a different satsuki which was like a million times more awesome than this one but unfortunately he had just picked them up for himself and weren't for sale. He really felt bad so he gave me a deal on this one. I like it, but it's nothing compared to the other one. Lol and I really do appreciate him working with me on the price. He's an awesome dude with an awesome collection. But my thoughts on the azalea would be to leave it alone until early spring and then cut it back hard so that I can force foliage back closer to the trunk. Just like the one I was looking at yesterday. What are you guys thoughts on that?? Now for the maple, my first deciduous tree.. Should I just let this baby grow freely? It's already been chosen a new leader how ever long ago and has since then thickened up enough for me to start branch selection. I'm going to let the bott branch keep growing out so I can thicken it some more. But there are a few more branches that can't be seen because of the foliage. There are like 4 more branches with sifference thicknesses around the area where the tree had been cut back but all the branches are short with really long leaves on the ends. Also, all the leaves are really small whic is awesome so I'm assuming it's been de foliated. I've been doing my research on developing maples and ramifications but I'm having truble with branch placement/selection for this tree. And not sure how should I initially prune it? Or if I should just let it grow some more through this spring and then prune it. What do you do about the long leaf stems? Do you guys need better pics? Also if anyone has the time and or is nice enough to flip the picture right side up, that would be awesome. I have NO idea why they upload side ways and there isn't anything I can do about it.

That is a nice looking trident you got there. I think the answer depends on how large you want the finished tree to be. If you want a shohin, then you have a great start on it already. If you do want this tree to be smallish, then I'd get it into a shallower pot in the spring, and start to work on the nebari. Post some photos of this when the leaves are gone, then we will be able to see what the branching options are. And maybe you can get them right side up! .
The azalea looks like a bush right now, I'll let someone who works with them help you, but I would select a few main branches in the spring, and get rid of the rest if I had it.

Nice movement in the trunk in photo #1. Like Judy said, your action (or inaction) depends on your desired result. Personally, I would either stick it in the ground, or in a wide shallow container to keep developing that nice trunk and allow the nebari to grow out, rather than down. Pruning, defoliating, etc will only impede the development of the trunk and should be reserved for refinement.

You should choose a branch for the satsuki to be the new trunk line, and remove most of the other branches in the spring. Azaleas tend to send out whorls of branches, and you will get a unsightly bulge right in the middle of your trunk. You might want to consider a larger pot for this as well, if youre seeking to develop the trunk. Satsuki dont really lend themselves to "broom" style.

Hey guys thanks for the input. I'm going for a shohin style with both trees. With the maple. I'm probably gonna put it in a one gallon pot this spring. I just wired the main branches, and I'm starting to see a good shape going on. I'm gonna wait until all the leaves fall and take another look at it. I know that I need to let branches grow untouched for more girth but, what about like maintenance pruning? Some of the leaf stems are so long. If I do any kind of pruning to the leaves will it stop that branch from growing/thickening? And for the azalea, I know it looks like a bush now, thats why I'm gonna chop it down closer to the trunk. I def dont want a broom style tree. I forgot who it was, but they had videos on YouTube where they just keep chopping the azalea back until all the foliage is compact and close to the trunk. Kind of like how a kingsville boxwood would look. Short, fat trunk really tight compact dome of foliage.. If you get what I'm saying!

Once the leaves are gone, you can prune back the too long branches, just make sure you leave a couple of leaf nodes. I still would like to see some leafless photos. And as far as a container, put it in a bulb pan or something similar. Wide but shallow. Gives plenty of root room, but you can start working on spreading them out and keep them from going down.
Read Read Read....this winter.

JudyB said:

Once the leaves are gone, you can prune back the too long branches, just make sure you leave a couple of leaf nodes. I still would like to see some leafless photos. And as far as a container, put it in a bulb pan or something similar. Wide but shallow. Gives plenty of root room, but you can start working on spreading them out and keep them from going down.
Read Read Read....this winter.

Click to expand...

x2.

However, I would add for both trees worry about growing the trunk first, then focus on the branches.

Benw,

Your Trident was not defoliated this year. The leaves are small because there was pretty good ramification this spring (more buds, more leaves, usually means smaller leaves) and it is growing in a pretty small pot.

Brad has some pretty good trees at fairly reasonable prices, you just have to look. He has some very good trees at slightly less than regular bonsai nursery prices too.

I hope you enjoy your trident.

Regards,
Martin