Opinions on height of chop for broom

[fredman]

Hi Everyone.
I've been growing this Chinese elm on for some years now....wanting to make a split/twin branch broom. It has a decent nebari going, and the time is right now.
I dug, did the root work and planted it yesterday. Now, looking at it, i'm not sure if I have the two main branches are at the right length/height. Something says to me they might be a bit to long....?
How is that length measured in any case?
Opinions plz.

 

[BobbyLane]

they do look a tad long yes. long straight bits over an inch long dont always look good. maybe measure them and take a little more off each if youre confident theyll bud from the cuts as elms usually do. but you should know your tree. Markys chuhin broom thread is also a good reference for this type of dilemma. as is this one https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/hackberry-celtis-africana-dug-up-and-potted-2016.37018/

 

[fredman]

they do look a tad long yes. long straight bits over an inch long dont always look good. maybe measure them and take a little more off each if youre confident theyll bud from the cuts as elms usually do. but you should know your tree. Markys chuhin broom thread is also a good reference for this type of dilemma. as is this one https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/hackberry-celtis-africana-dug-up-and-potted-2016.37018/

Thanks Bobby. I looked for buds and drew a line...to make the most of them....you agree?
Looks more balanced now....I think.
It has some decent taper as can be seen from the side shot. Plan is to do the hose clamp thing on them.

 

[Shibui]

It does not matter where external buds/nodes are when chopping elms. Chinese elm bud from cambium so you can expect a whole ring of new shoots right around the edges of both cuts. That's the real reason for the hose clamp - lots of new shoots will quickly cause swelling which the hose clamp restricts.

Personally The current length is not too bad but would depend on the final height.
I generally work on thirds. First fork at 1/3 finished height and subsequent forks at 1/3 of the previous section right through to the apex.

 

[YukiShiro]

Hey Fredman!

the lines look good to me for a chop site

Best regards
Herman

 

[BobbyLane]

Thanks Bobby. I looked for buds and drew a line...to make the most of them....you agree?
Looks more balanced now....I think.
It has some decent taper as can be seen from the side shot. Plan is to do the hose clamp thing on them.
View attachment 452960View attachment 452961View attachment 452962

Looks good.
have you decided whether youre growing one from one or two from one? in the elm example i showed you there are stubs with one from one and a slanted cut or two from one with a straight cut, i think this makes a difference to the final outcome. you can see this also in the link i shared. hope that helps.

 

[fredman]

Hey Fredman!

the lines look good to me for a chop site

Best regards
Herman

Hey Herman. Goed om jou te hoor. All good with you over there in the Motherland?

 

[fredman]

Looks good.
have you decided whether youre growing one from one or two from one? in the elm example i showed you there are stubs with one from one and a slanted cut or two from one with a straight cut, i think this makes a difference to the final outcome. you can see this also in the link i shared. hope that helps.

Funny you mention that. I always contemplate ones and twos. I'm guilty of wanting to many twos to early actually.
It does make a difference. Getting that balance is key.

 

[YukiShiro]

Hey Herman. Goed om jou te hoor. All good with you over there in the Motherland?

Hey Boet, gaan punt in die wind!

we having quite a bit of fun here in SA...nationwide strikes, power grid failing...
otherwise, my bonsai are growing so I'm happy

you mate?

beste groete
Herman

 

[fredman]

Hey Boet, gaan punt in die wind!

we having quite a bit of fun here in SA...nationwide strikes, power grid failing...
otherwise, my bonsai are growing so I'm happy

you mate?

beste groete
Herman

All good here Bru. The trees are budding and the spirit is high.
Yeah I heard they're up to it again over there....burning and plundering the country.
You know, I was thinking yesterday...a few years after they came to power, and the signs started to appear that their governance would be chaotic, I remember one of them saying on TV, they are still inexperienced. They'll get better, he said.
Its been 30yrs....THIRTY YEARS my maat. And its been getting worse by the year. I seriously don't think its a question of them being slow learners....
Its unsettling...to say the least. I seriously feel for the people of that beautiful country.

 

[Vinnie Charity]

Hi Everyone.
I've been growing this Chinese elm on for some years now....wanting to make a split/twin branch broom. It has a decent nebari going, and the time is right now.
I dug, did the root work and planted it yesterday. Now, looking at it, i'm not sure if I have the two main branches are at the right length/height. Something says to me they might be a bit to long....?
How is that length measured in any case?
Opinions plz.
View attachment 452941

Really digging this pot, is it a brake drum or is it ceramic?

 

[fredman]

Really digging this pot, is it a brake drum or is it ceramic?

Italian made ceramic. I get them in different sizes from a nursery. They dont always look the best, but the roots loves growing in them.