air layer of zelcova with ugly roots

[james]

Great job.

Isn't it satisfying when this works? You will have killer nebari with your wooden disc treatment in no time. Repot in 1-2 years, and even out your new radial roots, as you may find some roots get strong quickly.

 

[cmeg1]

I like Dirks Idea.
I have bunch of zelkova I am going to grow to 1" trunks and than chop at base then repeat quite a few times after re grow and healing takes place in hopes to make some clumps.keep chopping to the base.I seen this technique in my bonsai magazine.

 

[lordy]

Good job! Next spring see if you can get the roots spread out radially. (You may have already done this.)

Thanks, Adair. Yes I did try to spread them out, and since they were pretty evenly spaced around the trunk, and all fairly small diameter, it wasnt too difficult. Some of them did seem to have a mind of their own and wanted to aim upwards rather than down and out, but they were coaxed into position with the weight of the soil, so again, fingers crossed. I've done bonsai long enough to have seen results defy logic and realize that anything can happen. But this looks like a promising start.

 

[Poink88]

Nice layer. Congrats!

The plywood disc IMHO is useless with your application. Unless you just want to use it as an anchoring point for the tree to the pot. Sorry.

What it does is force the roots to grow outward and not down correct? Since you potted this in a shallow bonsai pot...the bottom of the pot would have done the same.

IF you plant this severed airlayer to a much bigger & deeper container or even on the ground then the plywood disc will help tremendously.

 

[Poink88]

Has anyone here grown anything from an ugly zecova stump? I put it back in it's original soil and it rests under my bench in the shade. Curious if I'm wasting my time.

I haven't but I sure would give it a try in your situation. Looks like it can be made into a really unique piece.

 

[lordy]

Nice layer. Congrats!

The plywood disc IMHO is useless with your application. Unless you just want to use it as an anchoring point for the tree to the pot. Sorry.

What it does is force the roots to grow outward and not down correct? Since you potted this in a shallow bonsai pot...the bottom of the pot would have done the same.

IF you plant this severed airlayer to a much bigger & deeper container or even on the ground then the plywood disc will help tremendously.

strictly for anchoring purposes. It wired in well and is quite solid. I had the mica drum pot available due to the fact that the previous occupant no longer needed it... 8o(

 

[Adair M]

Dario,

Zelkova roots are very vigorous. Screwing the wood on the bottom will prevent them from growing down. The force of the screw holding the trunk down will prevent them from growing down.

Had it just been placed on the bottom of the pot, the roots could grow down, and actually force the tree up when they hit the bottom.

I think next spring the tree should be barerooted again, and the base of the tree be examined, and a true bottom be established. This first year, just get it to grow, and survive the separation.

There is likely some trunk left on the bottom that should be removed. With fragile new roots, you don't want to mess with them TOO much. This will be an ongoing process: Exposing the bottom of the trunk, carve the new callous that forms, prune wayward roots, keeping the bottom flat, for a few years. Eventually, it will heal over.

Also, screwing the wood on makes it pretty stable. Which again is good since a tree blowing in the wind can disturb new roots.