First single season of unchecked growth

[KennedyMarx]

I picked this Chinese elm up last year. Over winter I didn't give it much protection, just sat behind some bigger plants near the side of the house. I did some rootwork a little early (buds weren't popping yet) and put it in a slightly bigger pot with better soil, but it was slow to get going. I just let it go, and let it go, and let it grow. The idea being that unchecked growth would help generate a lot of roots and make sure the tree is strong. Anyway I thought it was crazy how much growth it put out. Too bad it's probably too late to take cuttings. My ficus didn't even put on this much growth.

 

[Cmanz]

Nice growth. Elms can grow so much when they are happy. That should help the trunk put on some girth.

 

[jedge76]

Sometimes I think I should just concentrate on elms and forget all the rest. They are such good growers by and large, ultra forgiving and very easy to please.

 

[KennedyMarx]

Next spring I'm going to take some cuttings from this one and probably stick it in a grow box or in the ground for now. Maybe chop it back to the first branch and root the rest.

 

[cooldaddyfunk286]

I am very new to keeping Bonsai, but the Elms, (Ulmus parvifolia) has REALLY been the most impressive as far as rate of growth...like you said, even beating out the Ficus'

 

[M. Frary]

I get up to 3 feet of growth on the chinese elms that I own. Those are in collanders too. If they were in the ground they would grow even more. All the elms that I have are my best performers in terms of growth. So fast that wire only needs to be on for 2 weeks or its digging in.

 

[lordy]

In the ground the growth can be even more impressive. I have regularly seen 4 to 6 feet on Elms and Tridents, in multiple places in my yard. I dont even do much for them in terms of bed prep or feeding. They just grow like crazy, and that beefs up the trunk.

 

[cooldaddyfunk286]

I get up to 3 feet of growth on the chinese elms that I own. Those are in collanders too. If they were in the ground they would grow even more. All the elms that I have are my best performers in terms of growth. So fast that wire only needs to be on for 2 weeks or its digging in.

Lordy also...

Thanks for the info you guys! I appreciate that. Its good to know the Elms are so hardy and grow so profusely. I can't wait for my first season planting trees in the ground. I can't WAIT to see what that does for the growth. Nothing like the Sun. I have the Sun god tattoo'd on my leg. Eye of Horus/Ra...

Iv known since 15 when I got that tat, that nothing grows like the SUN! ...did I mention I can't wait? lol