I think for now I will put it down to poor roots/ growing medium.
I will be looking for some better growing medium before spring and make sure I fertilise well to ensure good root growth.
I am alittle extra stressed at the moment I spose because I am going away for about 5 days and my trees will be in the hands of the nieghbor. Enough to make any bonsiast shiver

.
abellows
I have often wonderd wether I had jumped the gun in calling these seedlings trident maple, but the more I look at them the more I believe they are trident. I did a google serach on the maple you mention and I did not find a match.
Thanks to all for your help. I hope I can post some pics this time again next year with lush green leaves.
