Sourcing a 'Caitlin' Chinese Elm and Comparison to 'Hokkaido'

[Easymode.rl]

Sourcing a 'Caitlin' Chinese Elm and Comparison to 'Hokkaido'

Hi everyone,
I'm on the hunt for a 'Caitlin' Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia 'Caitlin') but having a really tough time finding a reputable seller in the Midwest United States. 'Hokkaido' elms seem to be everywhere, so I'm curious if anyone has tips on where to source a legitimate 'Caitlin' in this region?
Also, I'd love to learn more about the key differences between these two cultivars. I know they're both dwarf varieties with small leaves, but are there any specific traits in terms of growth habit, leaf shape, bark, or anything else that set them apart?
Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Jrmcmich]

Evergreen gradenwoks has them not sure if your looking for pre bonsai or something lager but have smaller starters. Think he has larger specimen version as well if you look at specimen page.

Evergreen Gardenworks Descriptive Catalog: Ulmus, Wisteria, Zelkova

 

[Jrmcmich]

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[milehigh_7]

I don’t have experience with Caitlin but my 2 cents is to steer clear of Hokkaido. They are temperamental, the branches are brittle and will snap off if you look at them funny and they are extremely intolerant to shade. I am growing Seiju and I love them.

 

[Jrmcmich]

I have a small seiju as well which I found really cheap at nursery and while was really small grew a lot this season so agree that’s a good choice.

 

[mwar15]

Pm sent

 

[Shibui]

I have what I believe is 'Catlin' I find it more difficult as bonsai than any of the other Chinese elms. Mine retains leaves through winter more than the other Chinese elms which appears to be one of the distinctive characteristics of 'Catlin'. It grows very long, straight shoots and does not ramify as well as other Chinese elms. Nor does it thicken quickly. With lots of time, persistence and pruning I've managed to grow several reasonable shohin bonsai from Catlin.

Hokkaido, as already mentioned, is EXTREMELY brittle. Try wiring if you want but I'm pretty sure you will end up clip and grow like the rest of us. Accidents can break off entire branches vert easily and occasionally an entire branch will just die for no apparent reason. It does have very, very small leaves and tiny internodes so can make great shohin - if clip and grow steers everything in the right direction. It also has great corky bark which gives the aged look quite early. Hokkaido is a true dwarf - full size is probably less than 1m (3 ft) but, like many dwarf plants growth is very slow so allow years to develop decent trunks and branches and expect to pay more for stock with any size as it will be much older than other similar sized Chinese elms.

 

[Easymode.rl]

Evergreen gradenwoks has them not sure if your looking for pre bonsai or something lager but have smaller starters. Think he has larger specimen version as well if you look at specimen page.

Evergreen Gardenworks Descriptive Catalog: Ulmus, Wisteria, Zelkova

View attachment 568474

Not sure how to order anything off that website, but I'm also looking for a cultivar of a Trident Maple with a naturally small leaf. I figure why battle with nature any more than I need to..

 

[coltranem]

Not sure how to order anything off that website

Order Form

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Actually awfully easy to order from Evergreen Gardenworks. We must of made at least an order every year for five years and two the past two years.

Cheers
DSD sends