Chinese Elm development advice?

[Mr.Dr.K]

Hello all and Happy New Year. Two years ago I made a mistake and killed a chinese elm—I allowed it to sit in the rain too long after root work. You know how it ended. I purchased this nursery stock in winter 22, bare root and repot in spring of 23, allowed it to grow unchecked the 1st season and now here we are. Attached are photos before and after. It lives outaide year round on my west facing patio, zone 8b. I overwinter under cover outside. It's not a Bonsai and will look nothing like this if it makes it to that stage. It needs a larger trunk, the lower branch is causing somewhat of an inverse taper near the base of the trunk. I left the branch there hoping it would help thicken the trunk base. I'm not sure I care about the top of the tree, I imagine it will be chopped in the future and a new apex grown once I get the trunk to a satisfactory state. Curiously, should I let this go another season or two, with the exception of straggler branches of course and allow some real growth? Or would some strategic pruning be advised? I'd like to try ground growing, however, I live in an apartment and a location I could do so is a 30 minute drive one way, so I will probably stick with pots for now. (New job keeps me busy). I've read a 75-80% inorganic and 20-25% organic medium works well for potting, and was curious on pond baskets or air pots. Maybe I'm overthinking. Sorry to ramble. I appreciate any tips/advice.

 

[PonderingSage:]

If you are looking to grow it out then l wouldn’t cut it back (and especially not to cut the lower branch). Up potting may help with growing it out, but if it was just recently repotted that may not be beneficial, and it may be best for it have a chance to grow before doing mor root work in the spring.
Good luck.

 

[Mr.Dr.K]

If you are looking to grow it out then l wouldn’t cut it back (and especially not to cut the lower branch). Up potting may help with growing it out, but if it was just recently repotted that may not be beneficial, and it may be best for it have a chance to grow before doing mor root work in the spring.
Good luck.

 

[Mr.Dr.K]

Thank you for the reply. I'll let it grow out this season and see how things are looking next year

 

[Cadillactaste]

I think you need to decide on your time/plan and what the tree can offer you now.

Mame/shohin size don't need a thick trunk. I've several elm with a thinner trunk. Styling them appropriately...is key.


This one is new to me. No huge trunk. It will be styled out once it offers me more to work.

 

[Mr.Dr.K]

Those are very nice, thank you! I am characteristicly an indecisive person. Fortunately, I have got some time before the growing season to give it some thought.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

The lumpy trunks suggest Seiju elm. They don't get very big. At least mine don't ...

 

[Maiden69]

In a pot they may not get big, but they do grow quite a bit.

Nov 2020


March 2022


August 2023 - around 7 feet tall.


I'll suggest the OP either ground grow it, root pouch, or decent size colander in order to thicken it up. I think the trunk in mine is almost 2-3" in 3 years...

Seiju Elm from Evergreen Gardenworks

I received this elm in NOV 2020 in a 4" pot from Brent, I moved it into a colander spring 2021 and didn't paid much attention to it other than water and fertilizer. NOV 2021 I moved it into a grow bag this spring, March 2022, and moved it into my above gropund set up. Took a few pics...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[Cadillactaste]

In a pot they may not get big, but they do grow quite a bit.

Nov 2020
View attachment 522510

March 2022
View attachment 522511

August 2023 - around 7 feet tall.
View attachment 522509

I'll suggest the OP either ground grow it, root pouch, or decent size colander in order to thicken it up. I think the trunk in mine is almost 2-3" in 3 years...

Seiju Elm from Evergreen Gardenworks

I received this elm in NOV 2020 in a 4" pot from Brent, I moved it into a colander spring 2021 and didn't paid much attention to it other than water and fertilizer. NOV 2021 I moved it into a grow bag this spring, March 2022, and moved it into my above gropund set up. Took a few pics...

www.bonsainut.com

Definitely depends on one's final vision. You offered good food for thought I personally love my small elm. The foliage works for small stature trees. That said...all in what the final goal is.

Have you mapped out a goal for yours yet?

 

[Maiden69]

Definitely depends on one's final vision. You offered good food for thought I personally love my small elm. The foliage works for small stature trees. That said...all in what the final goal is.

Have you mapped out a goal for yours yet?

For this one, yes. I want probably 2 more years of growth, something similar to Sergio's Mirai's yatsubusa but on a much smaller scale and slanted a little more. I had to cut it back to 4' last month because I moved and needed it mobile so that may slow down my progression. I will definitely update my thread once I get to work on it, it is still holding most of its leaves.

As far as smaller size, I have around 9 root cuttings from my yatsubusa that will probably end up in the shohin size group... more to follow as well.

Sergio's tree below.

 

[dbonsaiw]

For this one, yes.

Whoa, that's nice. Second time today I'm noting that Mach5 makes it look easy.

 

[Mr.Dr.K]

In a pot they may not get big, but they do grow quite a bit.

Nov 2020
View attachment 522510

March 2022
View attachment 522511

August 2023 - around 7 feet tall.
View attachment 522509

I'll suggest the OP either ground grow it, root pouch, or decent size colander in order to thicken it up. I think the trunk in mine is almost 2-3" in 3 years...

Seiju Elm from Evergreen Gardenworks

I received this elm in NOV 2020 in a 4" pot from Brent, I moved it into a colander spring 2021 and didn't paid much attention to it other than water and fertilizer. NOV 2021 I moved it into a grow bag this spring, March 2022, and moved it into my above gropund set up. Took a few pics...

www.bonsainut.com

Wow! Hadn't thought of grow bags. Perhaps I should give them a try. I have noticed the black Nursery pots on triple digit days tend to be too hot, I believe.

 

[Mr.Dr.K]

The lumpy trunks suggest Seiju elm. They don't get very big. At least mine don't ...


View attachment 522505

They look nice, though. There is a large Elm that was planted somewhere around 1899ish at the Courthouse across from my apartment. I love looking at it. The City has even installed pillars to support some of the larger branches.

 

[Maiden69]

Wow! Hadn't thought of grow bags. Perhaps I should give them a try. I have noticed the black Nursery pots on triple digit days tend to be too hot, I believe.

Not all bags are the same, the ones I use are rootpouch brand and they were recommended by @cmeg1 here.

 

[Mr.Dr.K]

I will look into those. I've got three Lemons I started from seed last spring and a Grapefruit I accidently started from seed three years ago. Any experience with Citrus and their preferred pots?