Cascade Elm Potential?

[AaronThomas]

Sorry to not respond earlier.

No problem!!

Not to start another fertilizer discussion, but I believe that what you use is far less important than the fact that you use it regularly.

Currently I am using both Jacks 20-20-20 and Fish Emulsion (Not at the same time )

It sounds as if it didn’t lose its leaves over winter

We had a super warm winter this year... not a single freeze. Only 2 of my trees dropped their leaves completely.

The tree is weak. Focus on growth.

I did a fairly intense root pruning this year when I re-potted so I'm sure that is why the tree in pic is slow the push new shoots.... It is starting to now though. Going to let it be now and address the hard prune later!
My other elms aren't due for a re-pot till next year and have really pushed new growth... They are thriving in their new substrate and getting regular feedings!

Quit feeding them fish crap and use some miracle grow.

@source... what do you feed with?

 

[AaronThomas]

Dasu bonsai has some S shaped trees as cascade as well. A good direction I think you are taking.

Thanks Darlene! I'll check them out!

 

[fviljoen963]

update on the tree? Id suggest planting it in the ground at an angle so that your cascade branch is more or less horizontal. Also try and steer away from S curves... it doesnt look natural. Study deciduous trees and the movement branches take, especially the lower, dipping branches, you want undulating curves... not S's that are flat and two dimensional

 

[Ingvill]

Quit feeding them fish crap and use some miracle grow.
Plus lots of water and as much sun as possible. They prefer sun all the live long day.
Drive them like you stole them.
Then you'll see right quick how elms can grow.
Power leaves!

When feeding MiracleGrow to elms, or to deciduous in general, do you follow the dosage on the bottle?
Or do you give a higher dose? More often than the bottle says?

 

[M. Frary]

When feeding MiracleGrow to elms, or to deciduous in general, do you follow the dosage on the bottle?
Or do you give a higher dose? More often than the bottle says?

I do a higher dose.
Once a week.
They seem to like it a lot.

 

[AaronThomas]

update on the tree? Id suggest planting it in the ground at an angle so that your cascade branch is more or less horizontal. Also try and steer away from S curves... it doesnt look natural. Study deciduous trees and the movement branches take, especially the lower, dipping branches, you want undulating curves... not S's that are flat and two dimensional

Currently... Im letting tree grow out a bit. Haven't done much pruning this year except to cut back a few of the larger branches toward the base. She's looking more like a bush lately. Next season Im going to plant in a huge pot to get that trunk thicker... I would plant in the ground but I just go engaged and were planing on moving in a year or so. I intend to soften the "S" shape as soon as she thickens up a bit.... cutting back as Marky suggested.

 

[AaronThomas]

When feeding MiracleGrow to elms, or to deciduous in general, do you follow the dosage on the bottle?
Or do you give a higher dose? More often than the bottle says?

What @M. Frary suggests! I do the same with the Jacks....

 

[Ingvill]

I do a higher dose.
Once a week.
They seem to like it a lot.

Thanks!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Currently... Im letting tree grow out a bit. Haven't done much pruning this year except to cut back a few of the larger branches toward the base. She's looking more like a bush lately. Next season Im going to plant in a huge pot to get that trunk thicker... I would plant in the ground but I just go engaged and were planing on moving in a year or so. I intend to soften the "S" shape as soon as she thickens up a bit.... cutting back as Marky suggested.

Congrats on the engagement.

For what it's worth, it will be easier to change the 'S' curve now while branch is thin, after it thickens, the only way to change shape may be the pruning shears. Wood on deciduous trees does not stay elastic the way conifers do. So bending old wood on a pine is often done, seldom done successfully on deciduous because their wood is that much harder.

 

[AaronThomas]

Congrats on the engagement.

For what it's worth, it will be easier to change the 'S' curve now while branch is thin, after it thickens, the only way to change shape may be the pruning shears. Wood on deciduous trees does not stay elastic the way conifers do. So bending old wood on a pine is often done, seldom done successfully on deciduous because their wood is that much harder.

Thanks Leo!
Great point! I think the "S" needs to be cut back quite a bit. Ill do a significant pruning before the next growing season as well as wire the main leader to get rid of the curve.

 

[AaronThomas]

CASCADE Semi-Cascade update.
Well... its been just over a year since the original post. As recommended I let the tree grow crazy over the past year.... probably should have let go longer but couldn't resist cutting back to see what was what. So I ended up cutting that "S" completely out of the equation... and I think Im happy I did. The past year has really been great in thickening up that new leader. Lot further to go on this one but I'm really happy with the progression.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

Sorry to not respond earlier.

No worries!!! Just saw the response! So strange. The answer to the question was yes I had cut back the spring growth at that point... New buds emerge here around Jan or Feb. Super warm winter last year. Good news is I let it grow. Thanks again for all the super helpful advice!