Advice For Future On Chinese Elm.

Camay123

Jennifer, I see your point. I too have tree's that wont make it to show quality status and they are great learning tools.

But I feel im at this stage, that I want to work with real potential bonsai. Im bored with garden center stock, that are not that beautiful. I want to spend time achieving techniques teach in books. And not just style a garden center tree.

This elm was a mistake, I bought it. Ive learn to be more careful when choosing stock. Im not blinded any more like I was. I choose carefully. I want to sell it in order to buy something more valuable to me in terms of achievement.

Thanks,
Patrick

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Thomas_J.

Hold on there guys (and gals), it's true that it's not the best stock and probably will never be anything great, but it could be something nice if you give it time. Look at this one. Not much going for it back in 1997 when I purchased it.

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vito elm bef.jpg (32.9 KB, 54 views)

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Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

I hate to say it, but ch. elms are probably one or two steps up from a weed in the way they grow. By 2001 I had a whole different looking tree. I could have left it like that, but I still wasn't satisfied with it. It had a nice crown, but I felt it was the wrong look for it. With all those branches, I had quite a few options. Those branches of course didn't come overnight. The one thing I had going for me that you don't, was the nebari. It was for this reason that I bought the tree. For a ch. elm it was really nice. Most ch. elms have nebari like yours, and some people I'm sure do air layers to start over or even grafts to improve it. That would be your call.

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ch. elm.jpg (28.6 KB, 55 views)

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Thomas J.

Thomas_J.

After getting frustrated with it because I couldn't come up with a look that I really liked, I went for the windswept look which was the easy way out and for my part the lazy mans look. I posted a thread on it about a month or so ago, maybe some of you remember it. Anyway I was just about giving up on the tree and getting it ready for auction. I tried one more time and came up with something I like finally. Again all this happened over time and it was fun to see just what I would finally come up with. the one thing I've learned the most in bonsai is " the more time you give a tree the better it will look". It may not be a world class tree, but then again who knows.

Note: I didn't mean for this to be a repeat of one of my last threads. Just trying to persuade some to be patient and develop an eye for your bonsai which can only be done with time.

Attached Images

wndswpt elm 6-21(80).jpg (56.8 KB, 51 views)

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Thomas J.

Treebeard

Just my two pen' 'orth, but I though the suggestions that Ralph posted were quite good ones for the situation at hand.

Regards,

Chris.

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smallttruth

If you don't like the tree, you don't like it, but don't believe that it is certainly the case that this tree will always be what it is. Especially with species like Chinese Elm, it is often the case that they can undergo dramatic change in relatively short amounts of time. I think you have a decent shot at making this tree look much more mature and 'bonsai' if you plant it over a tile for awhile, after reducing the root structure, and tying a cable just over the top of the current surface. A little time deeper in the ground, and a nice trunk chop may, within a few growing seasons, change your mind about this tree's potential, and if not, you could always sell it later as a 'project'. No need to be dishonest. There are plenty of people interested in taking on a challenge. I personally think its a lot of fun. Besides, some of the trends today in bonsai are not, in my view, a good measurement of whether a tree has potential. For instance, the premise that thickness and taper are good, has led to the conclusion that ridiculously disproportionate thickness and taper must be better. This seems to me a mistake. I have seen some pretty ridiculous looking 'specimens' out there, that no longer resemble any mature tree I have ever seen. It has become a competition to stretch the bounds of possibility, which mat be interesting, but does not necessarily produce nice looking trees. Also, changing the subject, I would recommend against using so much organic material. A good inorganic soil, like turface, lava rock, and pumice will help your roots avoid wet feet and increase the air in the soil. It will also reduce your chances of disease and infestation. You will have to water and fertilize a bit more, but it is well worth it. Since switching to near or entirely inorganic soils I have found that my trees have become much healthier and their roots are thriving. At any rate, enjoy your work and good luck with the tree, whatever you do with it.