What to do with these Zelkova seedlings?

[JoeR]

If you had this case of 19 one year old Zelkova seedlings what would you do with it? Forest? Brooms? Trying to figure out what to do with them, I don’t have a ton of space for a bunch of seedlings. Might even try to find someone who would buy them and I’ll ship bareroot.

 

[my nellie]

... ... Forest? Brooms?... ...

Why not both of them?

 

[0soyoung]

forest ...

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Try fusing some

 

[cmeg1]

I know this is like the only thing I suggest,but airlayering them is cool.Works great on 1st and 2nd year zelkova and they will be done in two weeks and have radial roots.

 

[Hyn Patty]

I know this is like the only thing I suggest,but airlayering them is cool.Works great on 1st and 2nd year zelkova and they will be done in two weeks and have radial roots.

That's pretty impressive, Cmeg1. Even easier than the flat disc method to get nice radial root spread. Very nice.

 

[cmeg1]

That's pretty impressive

Thanks.....I have got a bunch this season ready to air layer and I’m going to try and propagate at least a hundred more for next season.
I have best success when I use cloning gel....but seriously only takes two weeks.

 

[Hyn Patty]

I have a bunch I started last year from seed and a ton more starting this spring. I will keep this in mind.

 

[cmeg1]

After you get the roots you can leave the top un-chopped if you prefer something bigger and then plant into a Root Pouch on an inverted saucer in perlite with leaves over it and then let the leader grow another season to get a thicker trunk.....at least that is what I will do to a few this year.

 

[cmeg1]

I will use a Root Pouch rated at 3-5 years so you can dig the pouch out of the ground after winter storage.The Root Pouch brand will prune the roots without letting them grow into surrounding soil.......I can’t wait to try it this season.
Fresh air layers like this do best in light and airy soil....like perlite.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I will use a Root Pouch rated at 3-5 years so you can dig the pouch out of the ground after winter storage.The Root Pouch brand will prune the roots without letting them grow into surrounding soil.......I can’t wait to try it this season.
Fresh air layers like this do best in light and airy soil....like perlite.

After you remove the layer does the root base push new growth?

 

[0soyoung]

After you remove the layer does the root base push new growth?

More often than not, but it isn't until the following spring (in my climate).

 

[cmeg1]

After you remove the layer does the root base push new growth?

After the layer is separated,if you plant in light soil they will definitely grow with the tree.If you plant straight away in yard dirt the tree will get stunted for the rest of the season,but all roots will grow.It only works this good on 1st and 2nd season whips....I would like to try it with other tree species as well.
Here’s what it looks like the following spring planted in regular potting soil I bet perlite would produce better results

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Thanks cmeg, I should've been more clear. I was referring to the original root base.

 

[cmeg1]

does the root base push new growth?

Here it is the following Spring,excuse my horrible tree anchor.......... I believe a couple months growing in perlite would’ve done this tree some justice and made it more stable in the pot with thicker roots. They definitely continue to grow and we’re alive just fine.

 

[cmeg1]

was referring to the original root base

Out of about seven trees I had, two sprout new growth which could come in handy if you were trying to multiply .....probably just cut higher and they have a better chance given some sunshine

 

[JoeR]

I know this is like the only thing I suggest,but airlayering them is cool.Works great on 1st and 2nd year zelkova and they will be done in two weeks and have radial roots.

This is absolutely the best way to go when you have the resources and space, no doubt. It’s always what comes to my mind when I think Zelkova actually.

Problem is, to make those it requires a ton of pots and soil. So, maybe I’ll do a forest with the majority of them and maybe try this route with 1-3 of them.

Oh, and how could I forget, I also have some in the ground: