Hi all, new here and fairly new to bonsai. I just received a 6 pack of trident maples in the mail. This one I was think about going for this style I found on the goog. Do I keep repotting it higher every year to achieve this?
Newb trident maple style question
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BrightsideB
Omono
That style is called neagari. It’s exposed root. People contain the roots to grow a certain way and expose them over time. Keep in mind that this goal you have with this sapling will take many years.
giventofly
Mame
And you can always graft 2 branches bellow to make someone running away:
But yeah, that is Neagari, I would instead of expose more, put the roots in like a bottle (or something to constrain the root growth) to force them to grow to the bottom, and let the tree grow wild to increase the root size.
But yeah, that is Neagari, I would instead of expose more, put the roots in like a bottle (or something to constrain the root growth) to force them to grow to the bottom, and let the tree grow wild to increase the root size.
Tieball
Masterpiece
My first reaction was to grow the tree out in a tall narrow type box for quite awhile. The height and narrowness would promote the roots to grow downward. I’ve never done this myself. In my head it’s similar to growing a root around a narrow tall rock where the roots are wrapped around the rock, covered by a clear wrap and buried up to the trunk base.
I had some friends while in Vietnam who grew trees like this. They simply used long narrow terra cotta pipes (readily available). After the growth they would slowly unearth the roots to a point of satisfaction. I didn’t get to see the unearthing I just saw the growing and they explained. The finished trees they produced did not have massive trunks. The trees were more delicate and around a 3/4” to 1” diameter trunk. The trees looked fabulous.
Someone here on Bonsainut has created, or cared for, trees like this. I can’t recall who it was though. I saw it posted a few years back.
I had some friends while in Vietnam who grew trees like this. They simply used long narrow terra cotta pipes (readily available). After the growth they would slowly unearth the roots to a point of satisfaction. I didn’t get to see the unearthing I just saw the growing and they explained. The finished trees they produced did not have massive trunks. The trees were more delicate and around a 3/4” to 1” diameter trunk. The trees looked fabulous.
Someone here on Bonsainut has created, or cared for, trees like this. I can’t recall who it was though. I saw it posted a few years back.
Gabler
Masterpiece
SeanS
Omono
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Here’s one of my neagari tridents from earlier this season. The main trunk has since been reduced to the graft which will be used to build the rest of the tree
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Neagari, my favorite style...I would wait for next spring when the buds begin to push. Repot into a set up to develop neagari.
I used a clear bottle but covered the sides in duct tape. To keep the roots growing well. This was done for this particular species...to correct a hot mess of roots.
A forsythia...but all neagari are created basically the same. You lower the tube you are training it in. Exposing the roots over time.
I used a clear bottle but covered the sides in duct tape. To keep the roots growing well. This was done for this particular species...to correct a hot mess of roots.
A forsythia...but all neagari are created basically the same. You lower the tube you are training it in. Exposing the roots over time.
RJG2
Omono
I'm working on a neagari bougainvillea. Still slowly uncovering roots.
Here was my latest update:
www.bonsainut.com
Here was my latest update:
RJGII's threadless projects
I've posted this before, but it's one of the first trees I decided to try - fell into the DAS trap. Started as a Christmas tree in a red pot, then planted in our landscape for a few years. Dug it up April 2020, thinned a bit over time, and just attempted some initial structural wiring. I know...
Tieball
Masterpiece
You can do this. Your tree is healthy and a good age to start. I think the careful execution will be to try to compress the roots now to be driving more downward. I have no idea whether there is flexibility or not. @Cadillactaste may have some approach thoughts on the current root situation. The roots may be directionally fine right now, however, it just seemed to me that they should be closed up more right at the trunk level. Just thinking out loud. I am definitely not a neagari I knowledgeable person…I just really appreciate the look, talent, skill and patience it takes to create this style.
I think you have an excellent project ahead of you.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Well...one could easily encourage more roots by scoring areas and using root hormone I imagine. It never hurts to have more visual roots. These can be developer over time. Not an issue. Again by the technique I mentioned.
