Twin trunk zelkova serrata

[Fishtank307]

New tree! I got this zelkova from a local bonsai-enthousiast. He was excited to see young people (like me) enjoying this hobby

I think it's a good start, despite a couple of flaws, and very elegant as well! He repotted it a couple of weeks ago, but he didn't secure it (hence the rock...) I've already threaded a wire through the drainiage holes and secured it.


A little of the top...




The first branch on the main trunk is a little awkward... It's a bit close the the fork above. And points straight towards the viewer (if I choose this side as a front)


The backside doesn't have a lot of branches. Apex is a little crowded, so I'll probably have to prune it harder next year!


He also gave me a couple of accent plants! Does anyone know what this is? Looks like some kind of orchid...


I'm so excited about this tree! I'm looking forward to developing it And as usual, tips are appreciated!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

A very nice starter tree with all the right bones!! However I immediately see a problem. In the first photo the glass of Chimay is full. However in the next photo it is empty!

 

[Fishtank307]

A very nice starter tree with all the right bones!! However I immediately see a problem. In the first photo the glass of Chimay is full. However in the next photo it is empty!

Luckily I had another tree to work on! Which meant, another Chimay!

 

[Adair M]

The solution to your “awkward branches” is easy! Turn the tree around! The last picture of the tree is the better front!

An improvement you might want to consider is to air layer it just under the second trunk. This would make it more of a twin trunk trunk tree, rather than a tree with a really low first branch!

Zelkova air layer easily.

You’ll also get a lot of foliage growth. You’ll have to cut back several times each growing season!

 

[Adair M]

And, eventually, you will want to put this in a MUCH shallower container.

Look into the “Ebihara Maples” thread. There, we discuss all kinds of things for developing nebari, and branches and all things deciduous.

 

[erb.75]

New tree! I got this zelkova from a local bonsai-enthousiast. He was excited to see young people (like me) enjoying this hobby

I think it's a good start, despite a couple of flaws, and very elegant as well! He repotted it a couple of weeks ago, but he didn't secure it (hence the rock...) I've already threaded a wire through the drainiage holes and secured it.
View attachment 188413

A little of the top...
View attachment 188417

View attachment 188418

The first branch on the main trunk is a little awkward... It's a bit close the the fork above. And points straight towards the viewer (if I choose this side as a front)
View attachment 188419

The backside doesn't have a lot of branches. Apex is a little crowded, so I'll probably have to prune it harder next year!
View attachment 188421

He also gave me a couple of accent plants! Does anyone know what this is? Looks like some kind of orchid...
View attachment 188422

I'm so excited about this tree! I'm looking forward to developing it And as usual, tips are appreciated!

where did that stuff in the glass go

 

[Fishtank307]

The solution to your “awkward branches” is easy! Turn the tree around! The last picture of the tree is the better front!

An improvement you might want to consider is to air layer it just under the second trunk. This would make it more of a twin trunk trunk tree, rather than a tree with a really low first branch!

Zelkova air layer easily.

You’ll also get a lot of foliage growth. You’ll have to cut back several times each growing season!

You're right! Thanks for the advice. Airlayering would be a good option. The roots were never really attended to, so starting over with an air layer would be the best option!
Not a huge fan of the Ebihara maples, but developing the nebari on a wooden board sounds like a good plan
And yes, eventually I'd like to repot in a nice shallow oval pot!

 

[Adair M]

You're right! Thanks for the advice. Airlayering would be a good option. The roots were never really attended to, so starting over with an air layer would be the best option!
Not a huge fan of the Ebihara maples, but developing the nebari on a wooden board sounds like a good plan
And yes, eventually I'd like to repot in a nice shallow oval pot!

What is it about the Ebihara Maples you don’t like?

 

[wsteinhoff]

The accent is laedebouria socialis aka silver squill. It will spread throughout the pot with exposed bulbs.

 

[River's Edge]

A very nice starter tree with all the right bones!! However I immediately see a problem. In the first photo the glass of Chimay is full. However in the next photo it is empty!

In Australia i believe they identify that problem as " Tides Out".
I love the way Zelkova grow quickly and tend to form nice bases naturally. It is nice to work with a species that responds quickly.

 

[Fishtank307]

What is it about the Ebihara Maples you don’t like?

The really large melted root planes are a bit too much for me Don't get me wrong, I think it's very impressive, just not my cup of tea..

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Nice tree. Looking forward to the next steps. Mmm Chimay blauw....

 

[Adair M]

The really large melted root planes are a bit too much for me Don't get me wrong, I think it's very impressive, just not my cup of tea..

Ok, it takes a really long time, even using the Ebihara techniques, to develop the “really large melted root planes”. But, you don’t have to do it for a really long time! You could do it for a couple years and develop a nice, well rounded, even nebari, and stop there. There is no better, faster way to get a good nebari on a deciduous tree.

You don’t have to carry it out to ridiculousness! Unless you want to!

Those super wide nebari are like putting in those sure high octane motors that won’t fit under the hood of the muscle cars. You know, the ones with all the chrome and such? Why do they do it? Because they can. Same with the Uber plate nebari!

 

[Fishtank307]

Ok, it takes a really long time, even using the Ebihara techniques, to develop the “really large melted root planes”. But, you don’t have to do it for a really long time! You could do it for a couple years and develop a nice, well rounded, even nebari, and stop there. There is no better, faster way to get a good nebari on a deciduous tree.

You don’t have to carry it out to ridiculousness! Unless you want to!

Those super wide nebari are like putting in those sure high octane motors that won’t fit under the hood of the muscle cars. You know, the ones with all the chrome and such? Why do they do it? Because they can. Same with the Uber plate nebari!

I'm definitely going to try this and stop when it starts to look ridiculous Thanks for the great advice, Adair!

 

[Lazylightningny]

If you take your time with this tree, you're going to have a beautiful twin trunk.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Nice tree. Looking forward to the next steps. Mmm Chimay blauw....

We even get the blue over here!! It is a real treat!

 

[Fishtank307]

Alas, no pictures of the leaves with autumn colors... But here's an update anyway.



Hopefully this pictures shows a little more depth:


The growth wasn't spectacular. I noticed there's still a lot of old potting soil around the root ball. Maybe I should repot and root prune next season... But I'd also like to airlayer it! Would it be possible to do both in one season? Stretching the limits of zelkova maybe?

The apex is still a bit messy imo. Long primary branches and twigs at the end. I'll prune into the old wood next spring, let it grow and prune again, in order to create some more movement and rammification.

 

[Fishtank307]

Also, I haven't really pruned it now. Those twigs are a bit scraggly and just too long!

 

[Adair M]

Have no fear giving a zelkova a hard prune. They backbud extremely well.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Zekova is vigorous. If not, look for the reason. Repot in good mix. Make it strong layer after that. Where would you layer it?