Zelkova from Cuttings

[rodeolthr]

@ConorDash , I believe most (including myself) have very good luck with elms by just putting the cuttings into a loose mix (bonsai soil) and setting them out of the direct sun where they will get regular water. Usually most of mine root.

 

[Gsquared]

Has anyone tried thicker woody cuttings on zelkova? Say thickness somewhere between a pencil and a thumb? There are zelkova all over here.

 

[cmeg1]

Has anyone tried thicker woody cuttings on zelkova? Say thickness somewhere between a pencil and a thumb? There are zelkova all over here.

Seems like the younger the Wood is the better it roots.I did airlayers on one year old cuttings and they rooted big time in just two weeks so I could separate the layer.I then tried it on two year old cuttings and it was similar to any normal air layer,time wise.

 

[ConorDash]

I took a load of cuttings 2 days ago.
All in a cup of water at the moment but going to put 3/4 in a pot of some kind of mix, the others I’ll leave in water, today.

 

[ConorDash]

Got a good few planted. Just in simple compost.

In hind sight I could have spaced out more! But I thought I’d run out of space.. dipped in hormone too.
Got a good few in a cup of water too.


At least I’ve have numbers on my side.. they are in full shade, and out of wind. I’ll check daily if they need water.
(Just had a thought, hope I’ve left enough room under them for roots and they aren’t pressed up against the bottom.. I’ll have to adjust when I get home later)

 

[cmeg1]

Potted more cuttings

This past Sunday,I have a total of 20 potted up....30 more starting to show roots in the propagator.
I hope to have this table full of cuttings real soon.
So it looks like 100% success rate with this setup using jiffy pellets.yay

 

[just.wing.it]

Brilliant work!

 

[cmeg1]

Brilliant work!

Thanks,man!
It’s great fun.

 

[River's Edge]

Potted more cuttings

This past Sunday,I have a total of 20 potted up....30 more starting to show roots in the propagator.
I hope to have this table full of cuttings real soon.
So it looks like 100% success rate with this setup using jiffy pellets.yay
View attachment 196705View attachment 196706View attachment 196707

Well done, thanks for posting.

 

[River's Edge]

Has anyone tried thicker woody cuttings on zelkova? Say thickness somewhere between a pencil and a thumb? There are zelkova all over here.

I have tried a variety of thickness in Zelkova for cuttings. Best success with first year into the second year wood. Sporadic results with thicker than a pencil.

 

[ConorDash]

I wonder if I can find English alternatives to your jiffy pellets and other stuff you used..
I’ll have to have a look.

 

[jeanluc83]

Thanks! I'll be trying this soon.

When you pot them up do you cut away the netting on the pellets? I know they are supposed to break down but I have my doubts. It seems like they would just be a pain to remove later on.

 

[cmeg1]

Thanks! I'll be trying this soon.

When you pot them up do you cut away the netting on the pellets? I know they are supposed to break down but I have my doubts. It seems like they would just be a pain to remove later on.

I do not cut away the netting,would probably tear the roots off.Most all of mine will be getting air layered.There are some with one sided roots.
I question their biodegradability also.I heard of people digging them up in their gardens a couple years later.They do tear extremely easy,so will not stand in the trees way as far as growing through them.
I read they are more photodegradable than anything.
I actually like the stability they give my cuttings when planted in my plastic pots.In my fast draining soil,I cover with a 3/8” layer of shredded spahgnum and only need to water every three days.Soon as they get leafy I bet I will be watering more often.

 

[Wilson]

I do not cut away the netting,would probably tear the roots off.I question their biodegradability also.I heard of people digging them up in their gardens a couple years later.They do tear extremely easy,so will not stand in the trees way as far as growing through them.
I read they are more photodegradable than anything.
I actually like the stability they give my cuttings when planted in my plastic pots.In my fast draining soil,I cover with a 3/8” layer of shredded spahgnum and only need to water every three days.Soon as they get leafy I bet I will be watering more often.

The netting of jiffy pucks has never posed a problem, from what I have seen. You have yourself a whole bunch of great starts!

 

[cmeg1]

I am so used to seeing broom style Zelkova in the US that I did not realize they can live to be 1000 year old trees and actually can resemble old Oak trees.
Definately something to consider when styling Zelkova.
Here is a 600 year old in Korea and a 1000 year old Zelkova with leaves in Japan.
So cool!

 

[cmeg1]

Wired these straight from arching over.They are growing vigorously now.
Most zig zags grow out naturally.To be sure though,I will wire tighter on the second wiring to make perfectly straight.
This whole flat is destined to become air layered brooms.Who knows,maybe air-layer a few this season towards first week of August since they are growing fast now.

Others I am letting branch out for different styles.

 

[cmeg1]

Wow, Just made the last of the cuttings for the season.I have 46 potted up!
Will have enough room for 50 total.I would do more,but I need to conserve rainwater.I was tired of watering the couple stock plants too.
The ones that are rooting,if superior, will replace some of the ones I have potted currently.
Feel I did alright this year having almost 50 growing by first of July.
First batch are about 18” tall already.In six weeks they should be about 3’ tall.

 

[MACH5]

Great work Curtis!

 

[milehigh_7]

Such a great thread! Great stuff! I'm gonna try some things here soon and try to use your voodoo!

 

[Steven1969s]

I planted these cuttings of Zelkova, Korean Hornbeam and Elms about 2 weeks ago. I realize that not all will survive, but so far so good. I planted them in a small plastic green house in small granular substrate.
They are sitting underneath a 50% shade cloth.