Zelkova from Cuttings

[cmeg1]

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.View attachment 199567View attachment 199570View attachment 199569View attachment 199568

Cool,they are still green! Should have some chance of rooting.

 

[cmeg1]

2nd wiring

Did a 2nd wiring on the tall ones.They were literally growing before my eyes!
Really taking off now.
Just want to make sure bottom foot of trunk is straight.

 

[cmeg1]

Some are getting trained already to develope branching.Then will proceed with air-layering the base next season.

 

[MrWunderful]

Awesome thread. I have about 40 zelkova from seed in my growing bed that I started this spring. Once they grow for a few years I will start a thread on them, I am curious to compare growth against your method of striking cuttings.

I also am going to try to develop some traditional broom style as well (among other styles).

Great work, working with elms is so satisfying due to the amount of growth.

 

[cmeg1]

Awesome thread. I have about 40 zelkova from seed in my growing bed that I started this spring. Once they grow for a few years I will start a thread on them, I am curious to compare growth against your method of striking cuttings.

I also am going to try to develop some traditional broom style as well (among other styles).

Great work, working with elms is so satisfying due to the amount of growth.

Thanks,
Seeds work well!
My cuttings will probably be 6’ high at the rate they’re growing.
I may try to air layer for radial roots at first of August.
I usually wait till second Summer,but I see no reason why I cannot in a few weeks.

 

[Steven1969s]

Why do you wire them straight up?

 

[cmeg1]

Why do you wire them straight up?

Not totally necessary,they will grow mostly straight anyway,although some do keep an unsightly wiggle not good for broom zelkova.
I believe it will speed growth to have the tip pointing up and I will proceed as shown below in pictures.photos are out of order,but you get the idea.
I personally only see 1 year or younger cuttings air layer that readilly like with this method.

 

[cmeg1]

I transferred the biggest batch to the grow area because they’re getting tall and trunks are just about big enough for me to air layer better roots like in the post above,though not cutting the leader off.
I am going to plant on tiles or something flat and let them grow in prepared ground soil before Autumn through next season and longer for some.
Then the roots can flare out relatively quickly on the tile and harden up before I cut off the leader to make the Broom.
Seems a great way to make Broom Zelkova with bigger trunks!
I plan on layering by 1st week of August.

 

[John P.]

Always enjoy your threads ...

 

[cmeg1]

Always enjoy your threads ...

Glad to hear it.Thanks!
My small colanders arrive tomorrow,so I will prepare the air-layering.

 

[cmeg1]

Did some air-layers.

I experimented with five of the most vigorous plants and air-layered for better roots their first growing season.
May as well because they root so quickly.
I plan to put these on tiles in the ground by the first week of September.Let the leaders grow into next season for a few bigger trunk Zelkova.
I used perlite and covered with terry cloths to retain moisture for the roots to grow.
Hopefully can separate the layer in a couple weeks.

 

[cmeg1]

Different styled ones
Here are 10 trees that I wanted to shape into different styles.
It is exciting to see how each one turns out.
First year involves cutting and restraining leaves to promote lots of branching and then after leaf fall I will wrap all the branches pointing upward with a piece of wire.
These are all cuttings that I plan to air-layer for better roots next season.
I will also start defoliation and wiring next season too.
For small trees ,they actually trunk up relatively quickly in a couple years.
Here are the trees and also included a 2 year seedling grown tree I’ve grown with this method in the past that I gave to a friend(the tree should of been getting wired,but I missed the ball on that swing) I no longer use potting soil either.
And how I will wrap them up.
I think they are cool how you can start training very early.

 

[coltranem]

Great thread

 

[cmeg1]

Great thread

Thanks,man!
I enjoy showing this.I am grateful I can take time to try and perfect these bonsai.I see a lot of shaping to be done next season.I have come to enjoy wiring trees though.When done at the right time it is not that bad at all.
The plan next season is to wire as shoots extend then they should set quickly and I can cut back and defoliate after that and repeat if need be.
I like smaller bonsai when they look well formed.

 

[John P.]

Are you fertilizing these young trees, or are you not in order to keep the internodes short?

 

[cmeg1]

Are you fertilizing these young trees, or are you not in order to keep the internodes short?

I am still learning with Zelkova.
I fertilize heavily a liquid organic with every watering first year and during defoliation in years after until the tree gets refined.
My approach is going to be similiar to an article I read in Bonsai Focus.
Fertilize heavy during first flush,wire ,let extend,then prune back to the short internodes and defoliate,then I will switch to a 0-3-1 liquid organic with every watering and growth will come to a halt if need be ,but will remain healthy since fertilized every watering with the 0-3-1 and whatever supplements I want to give.I find it useful to slow down the trees like this.I have employed the 0-3-1 before and it works great.
Or just fertilize with nitrogen all season and defoliate 2-3 times for developing trees.Need to wire as each flush of growth is extending though.
Defoliation is what really gives me the short internodes that are always at the base of the flush of growth.I have deduced that much when defoliating in the past.

 

[John P.]

Great to know. I need to step up my fert game.

 

[Vin]

Looking good! What ever happened to all the ones you had from about 5 years ago?

 

[cmeg1]

Looking good! What ever happened to all the ones you had from about 5 years ago?

Thanks Vin!
When I was growing them I guess life happened.I lost my Mother last year and also moved.I gave what trees I had to a bonsai friend.
Actually though a lot of them were getting poor technique from my learning to grow them but I’m getting it together now I know what I Gotta do.
But everything is good I learned many different ways to start these trees and maintain them.Now I’m just gonna bring it all together. I’m starting from scratch it does not take long.

 

[cmeg1]

Air-layers

Looks as if everything is going as planned with these air-layers.It has been 8 days and it looks like roots will be growing any day now.
Hopefully can separate in a week or so and then make five more now that I see it is working.