Keeping Just The Tops?

IsomJ1

You said that in order to get even rooting, the cut must be very smooth. I know I have read in several places that if you make small triangular incisions along the cut, it promotes rooting all the way around. To be frank, THAT is a major pain. So, have you ever had any difficulty getting even rooting all the way around with just the smooth cuts?

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Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

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dbz12fan

Al,
What are you going to do with the bottom stump of the elm? It may make a nice sumo mame.

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"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

Travesty34

Are you still with us bonsaial1?

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Travesty34 - GW - Profile

bonsaial1

Stll here, just busy.

I did see this tonight and went out in the dark to shoot a pic or two just to get you updated. Thats the kind a guy I am, always ready to help out w fellow in need of info. Well here goes..

The top air layer took off without a hitch. I had roots by the end of summer and was able to take the top off in late Sept. It went into a small growing pot to develop the branches. It will be repotted next year into a larger bulb pan type pot to grow out some more.

Here it is growing away, about 4" tall with shuttlecock for size

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I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

The lower air layer down lower on the same tree did not root. I wondered why?

When I uncovered it I found out. While I was sure to make clean cuts I broke the first rule of air layering. Make sure the cuts are far enough apart to keep the bark from bridging. The uphill side of the cut was only about 1/2" apart. I think the two cambiums could smell each other and said" If we try real hard I think we can connect". They did...

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000011ascar.jpg (56.0 KB, 175 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

This is the elm as it grows now. Just turning into a bush. I have decided that due to the uniqueness of the trunk thats left, and the fact that it is growing like crazy, and the scar is healing mucho pronto, I will try whats left over a stone. This is the one thing that I have never tried. I don't know why, they just never did much for me I guess. But what the heck I have the ugly tree, an ugly stone, and an ugly artist, maybe somehow three ugly's make a beauty. Ha!

Bonsai-al

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00011abush.jpg (37.3 KB, 90 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!