Amur vs Trident vs "Japanese"

Johnathan

Johnathan

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Okay, so I had pretty much given up on anything not green all year. My spirits just as broken by the Oklahoma wind and scorching sun as my little lace leaf bloodie. It didn't last very long once I brought it back outside this year. I assume its because we went from winter to summer without a really defined spring period.

Of course the itch never subsides lol, I'm currently looking at different maple now. Something capable of handling the full sun and the winds. I'm thinking Amur is the choice due to the glossy leaves, I assume that would make it sturdy. Then again, Tridents seem to be the go to in the Bonsai world, I'm not sure they could handle the full sun though, which makes me hesitant to pay for the price they carry lol. Lastly, "Japanese" whatever this means lol. They seem to be the most readily available, but what are they?:confused:

Anyone have anymore pros/ cons to these 3? Any suggestions? I'm trying to avoid all the shades and whatnot lol
 
Amur and trident are very resistant to leaf scorch. I don't have any tridents but my amur receives quite a bit of direct sun and doesn't get much of leaf scorch. It is kept very well watered. Some Japanese maple cultivars such as arakawa (rough bark) also hang tough under the sun.

However, as mentioned by bonsaichile, you should definitely provide some sort of shade cloth or shade structure. They will always appreciate it specially in hot climates like yours.
 
Try building something like this with 70% shade cloth on 2-3 sides. My old property was too windy for many Japanese maples but with the wind screen they did great.
 

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ysrgrathe said:
Try building something like this with 70% shade cloth on 2-3 sides. My old property was too windy for many Japanese maples but with the wind screen they did great.
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Yeah see, its nice, but that's a little to permanent for me at the moment lol
 
Johnathan said:
Yeah see, its nice, but that's a little to permanent for me at the moment lol
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When that OK winds starts blowing, most shade structures are going to become ‘temporary’!

There was a field grower of trident maples and JBP in the central? Oklahoma area, Sonlight Nursery. From his old website photos (no longer active), he field grew the tridents with no shade cloth. I met him when he moved to Kansas. For pristine maple leaves and fine twiggy ramification you’ll probably need some shade, windbreak, and misting. But I would think growing out pre-bonsai tridents could be done in full OK sun.
 
If you don’t want to deal with shade cloth, you could place the trees along the north side of the house so they’re in partial shade most of the day. Dissectum varieties or variegated cultivars would still have problems with too much transpiration, but other Japanese maples and Amur maples should be ok, I think. I have no direct experience with tridents, so I can’t say whether they’d be alright or not. If the north wall isn’t a viable option, east or west wall would be the next best thing.
 
Lorax7 said:
If you don’t want to deal with shade cloth, you could place the trees along the north side of the house so they’re in partial shade most of the day. Dissectum varieties or variegated cultivars would still have problems with too much transpiration, but other Japanese maples and Amur maples should be ok, I think. I have no direct experience with tridents, so I can’t say whether they’d be alright or not. If the north wall isn’t a viable option, east or west wall would be the next best thing.
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I do believe I can do this. I'm just not sure how much direct sunlight they would get. Probably sunrise until about 11-12 would that be adequate?

VAFisher said:
How about acer rubrum? They can take a lot of sun and heat. Looks like they are native to at least part of OK. I know a lot of people will say don't bother, but I like the species.
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I think this is what is most commonly sold as "Japanese Maple" without any further description right?
 
Tridents can be kept in hot dry windy places, if Smoke can do it in Fresno, it can be done! I would suggest you start with that type. Mine is in full sun during the hottest part of the day, even with brand new leaves coming on after defoliation. I keep it super well watered. A topping of sphagnum moss is helpful to keep the roots at the top of the pot cooler, and keeps the top of the soil from drying out so fast. Not sure if bonsai is a good hobby for lazy... LOL!
 
Your best bet is Trident.

Okla. and Texas are too harsh temperature and climate wise for Japanese and Amur.

Amur maple is native to the Amur river area of Siberia, so constant hot from March til Sept. and no real winter in between is pretty hard on them over time...

Laceleaf JMs, BTW, scorch VERY easily. They do that in landscapes up here by the end of July. They aren't cut out for hot and windy.
 
I'm stuck with the same weather as you my friend, one day its summer, next day is winter. Our seasons are often defined what day of the week it is. Thankfully no big tornadoes this year.
I have a, well I guess its a native maple, I picked up a seed at the park and its growing. I have killed many red maples and such, no luck at all.
 
Johnathan said:
I do believe I can do this. I'm just not sure how much direct sunlight they would get. Probably sunrise until about 11-12 would that be adequate?



I think this is what is most commonly sold as "Japanese Maple" without any further description right?
Click to expand...

Commonly known as red maple - native from Canada to Florida, west to Minnesota and southwest to eastern TX. It's not as good as either trident or Japanese Maple for bonsai but it's got a charm of it's own - at least for me. And it's a full sun tree. As rockm said, trident is probably the best bet, but red maple could probably work also.
 
K5ATG said:
I'm stuck with the same weather as you my friend, one day its summer, next day is winter. Our seasons are often defined what day of the week it is. Thankfully no big tornadoes this year.
I have a, well I guess its a native maple, I picked up a seed at the park and its growing. I have killed many red maples and such, no luck at all.
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We need to get together and do some collecting!
 
Amur wins the hardiness battle in this group....sees temp swings of over 100 degrees in Minnesota.

Pros: Bullet proof in the cold, multiple flushes of growth all through the heat of the summer.
 
Johnathan said:
I do believe I can do this. I'm just not sure how much direct sunlight they would get. Probably sunrise until about 11-12 would that be adequate?



I think this is what is most commonly sold as "Japanese Maple" without any further description right?
Click to expand...
Japanese maple is Acer palmatum; A. rubrum is red maple
 
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