Mutant Chinese Elm

[KateM]

Well, not to say that this is the reason, but some chemicals can cause mutations like this.
I remember seeing a YouTube video about an older CA bonsai practitioner who had some of the elms like that and he was saying that one application did it and it lasted, but the chemical was banned. What I don't remember is what channel it was and who the practitioner was...
So pretty useless info...

Different YouTube vid, but interesting mention of leaf reduction in elms. Look at 4:27

 

[BrightsideB]

I've got a mutant elm root cutting that I planted in the yard about a year ago. It seems to be remaining extremely small leaved. Anybody seen this happen before?View attachment 615816View attachment 615817

That’s pretty neat! I think it is an epigenetic change that is occurring. The way a gene is being expressed due to the environment. The same clone planted nearby can be experiencing different phenotypical responses. But time will truly tell. And I am rooting on you having something special!

If the clone does have a genetic mutation. It will be expressed year after year. I haven’t seen genetics turn on and off. genetic mutations are expressed on a part of a tree or the germinated seed carries the mutation throughout the entire tree. Humans value drastic mutations and generally those types don’t survive without intervention.

 

[Vince Sartain]

Different YouTube vid, but interesting mention of leaf reduction in elms. Look at 4:27

Well that video is very interesting. I have never heard of a fertilizer reducing the size of leaves before. I'm going to have to investigate that a little more.

 

[Vince Sartain]

That’s pretty neat! I think it is an epigenetic change that is occurring. The way a gene is being expressed due to the environment. The same clone planted nearby can be experiencing different phenotypical responses. But time will truly tell. And I am rooting on you having something special!

If the clone does have a genetic mutation. It will be expressed year after year. I haven’t seen genetics turn on and off. genetic mutations are expressed on a part of a tree or the germinated seed carries the mutation throughout the entire tree. Humans value drastic mutations and generally those types don’t survive without intervention.

Yes, I am very interested to see 1) if the tree loses its leaves this winter and 2) if the trees leaves remain miniature after next seasons flush. I have decided that I am going to leave it in the ground for another year and see what happens.

 

[Empty Mountain]

Well, not to say that this is the reason, but some chemicals can cause mutations like this.
I remember seeing a YouTube video about an older CA bonsai practitioner who had some of the elms like that and he was saying that one application did it and it lasted, but the chemical was banned. What I don't remember is what channel it was and who the practitioner was...
So pretty useless info...

Starting at around 9:33

Possibly use of gibberellic acid, i think @Wires_Guy_wires has some ideas about this kind of thing

 

[KateM]

Starting at around 9:33

Possibly use of gibberellic acid, i think @Wires_Guy_wires has some ideas about this kind of thing

Yep. That's it.

 

[leatherback]

I've got a mutant elm root cutting that I planted in the yard about a year ago. It seems to be remaining extremely small leaved. Anybody seen this happen before?View attachment 615816View attachment 615817

too many growing tips to get all the branches sufficient resources to build full sized leaves. Effectively bonsai / miniturized growth, as the roots have not settled in, and the tree has pushed too many buds. I am pretty certain that once you get individual branches to grow, leave size will increase.

 

[KWag]

I took Shohin-branches advice and took a few other photos with a neutral background as well as one of the mother plant and the bed with the other cuttings I took at the same time. The tiny leafed elm is only a few feet away from these other cuttings.

The first photo shows a few branches beginning to elongate. It will be interesting to see if full sized leaves are produced on those. Following.

 

[Vince Sartain]

too many growing tips to get all the branches sufficient resources to build full sized leaves. Effectively bonsai / miniturized growth, as the roots have not settled in, and the tree has pushed too many buds. I am pretty certain that once you get individual branches to grow, leave size will increase.

That's an interesting thought, I haven't heard that theory but it sounds very plausible. The video shown above with Peter is very interesting but my elms have never seen any chemical other than a micro dose of miracle grow. If your theory is right then I should probably see regular sized leaves when it begins to elongate in spring?

Yep. That's it.

 

[Betula1]

This looks a lot like herbicide/ weedkiller damage. Have you or your neighbours used any chemicals on their gardens or lawns?

 

[Vince Sartain]

This looks a lot like herbicide/ weedkiller damage. Have you or your neighbours used any chemicals on their gardens or lawns?

No, the only other chemical other than a micro dose of Miracle grow with the daily watering is an insecticide called wisdom. The tree is roughly in the middle of my 1 acre residential property so I don't think it would be anything my neighbors are using. Besides that the cuttings of the same age just a few feet apart are completely unaffected.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

My guess is spider mite infestation. I see webs in the majority of the photos.

 

[Vince Sartain]

My guess is spider mite infestation. I see webs in the majority of the photos.

I guess that's a possibility but I have never heard of spider mites reducing the size of foliage.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I guess that's a possibility but I have never heard of spider mites reducing the size of foliage.

From @Davidlpf 's post above:

Spider mite infestations can lead to a reduction in leaf size, primarily due to the damage caused by their feeding habits. These pests pierce plant cells with their mouthparts and suck out the cellular contents, including chlorophyll, which results in a stippled or flecked appearance on the leaves. As feeding continues, the damage progresses to yellowing, bronzing, and eventually browning of the foliage. This loss of chlorophyll and disruption of vital plant processes such as photosynthesis, transpiration, and carbon dioxide absorption significantly impair the plant’s ability to grow and maintain healthy leaf development. In severe cases, the plant may experience stunted growth, reduced vigor, and premature leaf drop, which can contribute to smaller overall leaf size. The cumulative effect of prolonged feeding, measured in "mite days," further exacerbates the damage, especially when combined with environmental stressors like drought or heat

You're in Chino, which is ground zero for spider mites - hot and dry. Spider mites, being arachnids, are often immune to insecticides, and populations can sometimes grow out of control, particularly if use of insecticides kills their natural predators like predatory mites (which unlike spider mites can be highly sensitive to some broad spectrum insecticides) ladybugs, lacewings, and thrips. They are pretty much everywhere, and they generally only become a problem when they are allowed to reproduce away from their natural predators (for example when you bring a houseplant indoors for the winter). Blast the tree's foliage with strong spray of water, focusing on the underside of the leaves. Then spray your tree with insecticidal soap (liberally drench it) which is highly effective against spider mites, while having a short persistence so that it won't stay on the plant and kill your friendly insects.

 

[Vince Sartain]

From @Davidlpf 's post above:

Spider mite infestations can lead to a reduction in leaf size, primarily due to the damage caused by their feeding habits. These pests pierce plant cells with their mouthparts and suck out the cellular contents, including chlorophyll, which results in a stippled or flecked appearance on the leaves. As feeding continues, the damage progresses to yellowing, bronzing, and eventually browning of the foliage. This loss of chlorophyll and disruption of vital plant processes such as photosynthesis, transpiration, and carbon dioxide absorption significantly impair the plant’s ability to grow and maintain healthy leaf development. In severe cases, the plant may experience stunted growth, reduced vigor, and premature leaf drop, which can contribute to smaller overall leaf size. The cumulative effect of prolonged feeding, measured in "mite days," further exacerbates the damage, especially when combined with environmental stressors like drought or heat

You're in Chino, which is ground zero for spider mites - hot and dry. Spider mites, being arachnids, are often immune to insecticides, and populations can sometimes grow out of control, particularly if use of insecticides kills their natural predators like predatory mites (which unlike spider mites can be highly sensitive to some broad spectrum insecticides) ladybugs, lacewings, and thrips. They are pretty much everywhere, and they generally only become a problem when they are allowed to reproduce away from their natural predators (for example when you bring a houseplant indoors for the winter). Blast the tree's foliage with strong spray of water, focusing on the underside of the leaves. Then spray your tree with insecticidal soap (liberally drench it) which is highly effective against spider mites, while having a short persistence so that it won't stay on the plant and kill your friendly insects.

I don't know, I'll have to take a closer look when I get home today. I don't recall even seeing any yellowing leaves on the tree that would raise my concern over a possible mite infestation, I would think with such small leaves that a mite infestation would decimate many of the tiny leaves so much so that it would be obvious that something was not right. Especially having a dozen similar cuttings planted within feet of this particular tree with absolutely no issues.