The 5 Year Zelkova Challenge

[Brian Van Fleet]

The roots are improving, but still have several transplantings to go before they can make it all the way around the tree again. Basically, it was reduced to a rooted cutting in '06...not bad in 5 years for an older tree.

Less than a week later, it's growing hard enough that pinching began yesterday. Look out for photos of this in leaf soon!

 

[ml_work]

Great Work Brian, you make it look so easy!

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Otisdog]

Nice tree, considering what you started with. Thanks for sharing the progression.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Summer Update

After pinching for a couple months straight, I decided it was time to defoliate. Besides, all the wires are tightening up and it would make their removal easier.

After defoliating and unwiring, I pruned it back pretty hard to smooth out some of the knobs and rough spots, then wired a few of the larger branches back into position.

It should be good-to-go for the balance of the year with some regular pinching. Hopefully some good fall color to share in a few months. This one does put on a show when it's inclined...

 

[Jason]

Awesome progression Brian. This is super informative! Thanks.

 

[KABUDACHI]

Beautiful transformation. Great Work.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Update, 3 weeks after defoliation...it looks like it could easily take another defoliation in a couple weeks.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

And it did take another defoliation...here is shot from the second defoliation:


Pruned back:


And growing out again in August:

 

[JudyB]

Pretty nice turn around for a tired old tree. Like a facelift for Grams. Good on you that you came up with plan B.
I like the pot very much, does Bryon Myric have a website? Seems like I'm always searching for interesting pots.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks, and plan B is still under strong consideration...

Byron's website: http://www.bmyrick.com/Pottery/Welcome.html His pots are excellent.
An interview I did with him for our December newsletter: http://alabamabonsaisociety.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/December-Newsletter-20111.pdf

 

[JudyB]

Thanks Brian, I see some byron pots in my future...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

And one from today before tidying it up for the winter...which may be on deck for tomorrow...

 

[painter]

i have always like this thread and remembered it as soon as i saw its title. i think we can all put more into something that will never be perfect and make it much better, and proud to own.
its a good tree and i want to ask if by giving it that curve at the apex is it trying to be something its not?
the curve really doesnt go with the rest, all most straight trunk
just curious. i also like the aspect of real time of five years here. not instant bonsai.
painter

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

i have always like this thread and remembered it as soon as i saw its title. i think we can all put more into something that will never be perfect and make it much better, and proud to own.
its a good tree and i want to ask if by giving it that curve at the apex is it trying to be something its not?
the curve really doesnt go with the rest, all most straight trunk
just curious. i also like the aspect of real time of five years here. not instant bonsai.
painter

Thanks, and agreed, that apex curve is terrible, but nothing else grew there, so it was pulled around to bring it back over the center. This tree may be 12" tall in a few days...I just got a shohin itoigawa from Don Blackmond, and it's been refreshingly easy to move around...it's got me thinking...

 

[painter]

i wouldnt go that drastic. but this could turn into a 20 year thread if you want. the tree has some nice attributes and someflaws as well. but it is improving. and maybe you will eventually you will get something to pop exactly where you want it.
thanks for all your time with the post. it makes me feel somewhat ok about some of my trees in progress.
painter
merry christmas

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Quick update after unwiring and some light pruning today. It's as far as I'm taking it for now...repotted, and defoliated twice this year and twigging up pretty well.
Merry Christmas!

 

[Ang3lfir3]

Very nice Brian !!! this has certainly changed a lot in the last 5 years!!! I was curious as to how the nebari is coming a long on this...I presume you are working on the right hand side?? have you considered grafting roots or are you working to just grow them?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Very nice Brian !!! this has certainly changed a lot in the last 5 years!!! I was curious as to how the nebari is coming a long on this...I presume you are working on the right hand side?? have you considered grafting roots or are you working to just grow them?

Tried grafting down low to improve nebari, but there are so many dead spots on the trunk that it didn't work. Some new roots are emerging on the right side on their own now, and I'm continually taking more out of the bottom (post #20), so over the next few repottings, it should start to improve. This one is just going to take time.

 

[Grant Bowie]

Nice work,

Re the apex; maybe in a few years time when its has thickened up a bit more you might cut consider cutting it about halfway down the curve. It would reduce the exagerated bend at the top.

Anyhow great thread.

Grant Bowie

 

[Ang3lfir3]

Tried grafting down low to improve nebari, but there are so many dead spots on the trunk that it didn't work. Some new roots are emerging on the right side on their own now, and I'm continually taking more out of the bottom (post #20), so over the next few repottings, it should start to improve. This one is just going to take time.

View attachment 19825

I totally know how that goes I am doing similar with a large Zelkova the base is nice and round but really has no nebari to speak of... and haven't even started on the top !! they are fast but not ever as fast as we wish

Ur looking great muh friend!!! amazing for so little time really...