Somebody stop me. New Chinese Elm
- Thread starter Scrogdor
- Start date
Scrogdor
Chumono
Bought this elm mostly for its base and nice movement at the bottom and was inexpensive. When I decide to chop it, which one would be the best option?
preferably I’d like to do the yellow chop and hope for some back budding but it’s definitely a gamble.
preferably I’d like to do the yellow chop and hope for some back budding but it’s definitely a gamble.
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Scorpius
Chumono
The more the merrier. You only live once.
Hack Yeah!
Omono
I'd go a little lower, maybe an inch, below your yellow line. Great start!
Scrogdor
Chumono
Thanks, ideally I’d get some buds pop right by that bend
WNC Bonsai
Masterpiece
Why not air layer it and have 2 trees! Also what is with the bark at the base, never seen that before?
Scrogdor
Chumono
Lace bark elms eventually shed their outer layer of silver bark to a reddish underneath.
Maybe I’ll air layer it, really full on trees though lol. Air Layers should result in the same back budding correct? Since both a chop and layer sever the nutrient flow?
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Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Every chop is a gamble but with Chinese elm the odds are definitely in our favour. They will bud profusely all round the edges of cuts and usually also from the trunk below the chop.
I would also go low. The blue chop leaves a straight section of trunk with little taper.
Yellow fits in more with the existing bends.
Layering will still stimulate some buds but for some reason far less than a direct chop. Maybe it's the moss or soil round the site that prevents good budding?
Chinese elms are easy enough to find and usually quite cheap and quick to grow from cuttings. I would not bother layering unless the top was superb. Layering just delays what you should be doing to develop the base.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I'd start the layer now, keep the top trimmed and it'll desperation grow that good low branch faster.
If you keep the layer angle as the blue, it will be good cuz tipping it (chock block) to horizontal will both allow the roots to know their plane and get that low branch the most light.
Sorce
If you keep the layer angle as the blue, it will be good cuz tipping it (chock block) to horizontal will both allow the roots to know their plane and get that low branch the most light.
Sorce
Michael P
Omono
If you want to stop, you came to the wrong place. We are all enablers here.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
LOL. Crying for help among addicts!
BrianBay9
Masterpiece
Agree on low chop. I'd go below the yellow line. Maybe an inch above that low turn in your trunk.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Did you order this online or get it local to you?
I have been looking for a Chinese elm myself with a decent trunk that wasnt bent into a contorted "S" shape
PA_Penjing
Chumono
I agree, If it were mine I'd probably chop it back to (maybe a cm below) that yellow line. Then carve back to the branches you like. 9/10 times I leave extra trunk when I chop, but chinese elm are such a sure thing for back budding you can drastically prune with confidence. I would seal it though
PA_Penjing
Chumono
Also, If you don't feel like waiting the handful of weeks for an airlayer to take, you can plant the chopped-top as a cutting. With enough humidity it will strike. I've seen larger cuttings taken of this species with success. Then you can throw away one of your non-chinese-elm-trees and get with the program
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
I agree with the chop, but I don't think the top is worth air layering. The top third of the trunk is straight and taperless and boring. You will have two trees, one wiht some potential, the other with mostly none. Not worth the trouble.
Scrogdor
Chumono
I got it from Wigert’s, every now and then they’ll get some nice Chinese elm material. greenthumbbonsai is also a decent place to check. Most of them are around 50$ or less
I figured, I recognized the purple pot. Great place and very reasonably priced.
Scrogdor
Chumono
So I went with the low chop about an inch above the low bend. Not getting great all around budding. Just very condensed budding from one point a little below the chop. The chop is healing on all sides and the cambium is still green around the chop. Any ideas? Was hoping for an opposite bud
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Kullas
Shohin
I say just a little more time. It looks to me there are several buds forming.
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