bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post

First rule of bonsai is don't be in a hurry. It looks to me like you have a very good prospect for bonsai. Here are some things to remember "it is easy to cut and hard to grow" so look three or four times and then cut. With elm you can cut anywhere, it will bud back and put out all new limbs. Elms respond well to airlayering in the early summer. When you root prune replant the roots in five gallon pots leaving the cut just exposed and they will grow new tops. When I pinch elms I remove every thing except the first of two small leaves, or the second depending on which way you want the twig to grow. Just remember that when you cur an elm right in front of a leaf the dominant bud will grow in the direction that the leaf points. Have fun, I still have my first elm I have been working on it for thirteen years, and I have enjoyed every year of it..........rips

2-Jan-2002	#6
ripsgreentree bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Sep-2001 Location: Fresno, CA Country: U.S.A USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,260	Re: chinese elm needs work First rule of bonsai is don't be in a hurry. It looks to me like you have a very good prospect for bonsai. Here are some things to remember "it is easy to cut and hard to grow" so look three or four times and then cut. With elm you can cut anywhere, it will bud back and put out all new limbs. Elms respond well to airlayering in the early summer. When you root prune replant the roots in five gallon pots leaving the cut just exposed and they will grow new tops. When I pinch elms I remove every thing except the first of two small leaves, or the second depending on which way you want the twig to grow. Just remember that when you cur an elm right in front of a leaf the dominant bud will grow in the direction that the leaf points. Have fun, I still have my first elm I have been working on it for thirteen years, and I have enjoyed every year of it..........rips __________________ ripsgreentree It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.