How thick is to thick?

Scottlikebonsai

Hi,

Has anyone has gotten any results from taking cuttings larger than 2 inches in diameter.

I have decided to try some 3-inch 'cuttings' i'll put up some pics, but what are my chances of getting them to strike?
Scotty

P.S. They are off english elm, the reason for the question is that I did some cuttings about two weeks ago and one of them looked like it was dead (i thought it was too thick to strike when i did the cuttings) and i pulled it out today to find some nice plump white radial roots growing like mad so i put it back in the sand.

__________________
Today the only people who don't think markets work are the North Koreans, the Cubans, and the stock pickers.
- Rex Sinquefield, 1998

Advertisement

Bonsai Barry

__________________
Bonsai Barry

"Our talent lies in our choices."

soltan

I would say willow will work in any condition that is wet.

__________________
GROW DAMIT!
BRETT AUSTRALIA ZONE 8-9?

tachigi

Hi Scott, One of my favorite subjects. I am fortunate to have a greenhouse. So this time of year one of the things I occupy myself with is cuttings. I do cork bark elm essentially the same tree as your attempting. I in the past have had near a 100% success fro these cuttings. That is for the exception of large cuttings over 1.5 inches, which I have had no luck with. However this year might be the year. I have a 3 inch triple trunk type of cutting taken back in November that the leader buds have all swollen on and look as if there about to burst. The only thing different I did this year was to wrap with a pipe heat tape, The kind that you use to keep your pots from freezing. Not something that probably occurs to much in Oz . So it would appear that its possible. You have nothing to lose, give it a go, otherwise all you'll be doing is throwing that piece on the scrap heap. I believe that experimentation is the best learning tool we in bonsai have. This will eventually lead to new directions in our art.

__________________
Tom

Shady Side Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
4MAAT

edgey

Scotty, you shouldn't have too many probs if you provide bottom heat to the cuttings. Elms cuttings have been known to take even when they're as thick as your wrist. Misting of the leaves once they pop as well will give the cutting a good chance. If you have a greenhouse or hothouse your results will be much better. tridents,Mulberry and willow are ones that I have done before and as thick as my thigh. They took no worries, but I have a proper hothouse with bottom heat, misters and foggers. The aftercare is essential for any propagation. All the best and Happy new year. Andrew

Scottlikebonsai

Well the original large/giant cuttings I took have buds that have bursted into small leaves, so the signs of this working are goodish. I thought this was pretty good taking only about a week for buds to form and burst.


I know this is no indication of root activity but my hopes are still high so don't crush my dreams!!!

With the previous 'cuttings' showing these positive signs I decided to undertake a more adventurous (spelling?) leap and carry out some more...

The largest one is probably 15cm/7 inches in diameter, mind you I used all the smaller branches too

These are the main ones...




These are the finished, well almost finished product. The plastic bags will come off and a wound sealant will probably be applied.





Yes I live in the country and the animals helped me remove leaves!


Thanks, I thought someone might be interested and I'll keep you posted on the progress
Scotty

__________________
Today the only people who don't think markets work are the North Koreans, the Cubans, and the stock pickers.
- Rex Sinquefield, 1998

ozzy

I asked this question my self a while back, heres the link to some more succesful large cuttings. http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthr...hickest+cutting

And yeah I'd give anything a go you've got nothing to lose, I was driving down the road a couple of months ago and I stopped next to some large trees and cut a 2 inch branch off and it took off within five days, I don't even know what it is but its a nice piece of trunk thats for sure.

nip

I would really like to see some pictures the massive cuttings mentioned in that thread. Curious to see how good the nebari looks.

jijin

Hello, I'm a noob here and I'm decent with growing, relativly new to bonsai, and have a wonderful oppertunity to get a great crapemyrtle cutting about 2 inches think. I can work it into an awesome informal upright.

Any suggestions, tips tricks?

EDIT: Sorry, it's near 3 inches