I'm gonna make brooms.

[cmeg1]

Zelkova#2

Here is Zelkova #2.
It is the other 2.5 year old tree.This tree was quite the problem child,but I finally gave it some shape.It may be a bit out of proportion with not a lot of room to grow though.
We'll see,I may air layer it at the top of the bole for a little twin trunk.Maybe that could create some root flare in a shallow pot and make it interesting.
Then I could maybe re-use the old bole section for something different.

Well,this is all the shaping I have to do this year.I did 11 trees.I wonder if they will all fill in properly?
I think I have filled my desire to make this type of broom.
I am going to move on to clump forms now.I have 18 cuttings in the ground.I think in Spring I am going to thread them each through their own clay saucers with a hole drilled in it and let them ground layer and then repeatedly cut back to zero after a new leader has formed.Eventually clumps will form with shallow root pads.
I am going to speed this as much as possible.It should go fast since there will be a tap root below the saucer in the ground.

I also have seeds sewn.They will maybe get tortured and bound with zip ties into a shape very early down low.Then after a few seasons I will air layer them for some very small trees with shapes.

 

[cmeg1]

So,what the heck.I was not going to post anymore in this thread,but it seems the logical place to post updates on these trees,rather than a thread per tree.
Here is zelkova #7.
It is exciting to see what kind of Nebari on on these trees.I tried to treat every root as a branch and cut back to forks.Had to remove a large root on this one.
The trunk is 1/2" for reference.
2 years old.

 

[Vin]

Why stop posting? We all enjoy the updates.

 

[AboveBeyond]

I second that. The changes may not be mind blowing for each update but when we look back years past, it's pretty cool/informative to see the progression.

 

[akhater]

+1 don't stop it is very instructive for others

 

[CamdenJim]

Keep it up. I read through the entire thread this morning, just for inspiration.

 

[cmeg1]

Thanks everyone! I will keep posting.This thread challenges me to do ,at least,slightly better with these small trees.

 

[cmeg1]

Keep it up. I read through the entire thread this morning, just for inspiration.

Thanks,Jim.
Wow,I don't think I can do that,for sake of some embarrassment from when I thought I had a plan then would post it to only find the right path was completely different.
Thanks again

 

[cmeg1]

Here is Zelkova #9. A couple were ready to re pot tonight.
2 years,1/2" trunk

 

[cmeg1]

Then there is Zelkova #10
2 years 1/2" trunk.

Hopefully the Nebari will fill in some on all these trees.There are spots with future roots poking out and I bet they will completely change in appearance in a few years.
I am taking great advice from fellow members and really trying to work these roots.

 

[Adair M]

Ok, I have to ask: How are you securing your trees into the colanders on top of the upside down dish?

Instead of a dish, consider using a thin board. Run a screw up from the bottom, and into the bottom of the trunk. That holds it down. Spread the roots across the board. Drill 4 holes in the board at 12, 3, 6, 9 o'clock positions. Run wires up from underneath. Use the wires to hold the roots down securely against the board. Bury the board and roots under an inch of soil in your pot or colander. Before you cover the roots, if you want roots on a certain part of the trunk, scrape off the bark using a sharp knife, and stuff that area with spaghnum moss. It'll root. Bury it.

Next year, dig it up, and roots will have run across the board and over the sides. Trim off all the way around the board, bury it back for next year.

It's really easy, and it builds a flat nebari.

 

[milehigh_7]

Yes please keep this up I have a batch of 26 coming up and 200 more ready to stratify. One request, distill what you have learned in to a guide. You have some awesome data to pull from and it is super valuable. Thank you for the hard work you have put in to the documentation.

 

[JoeR]

I'm not asking because I am trying to buy them from you, but how much roughly would these trees go for? I'm just trying to get an estimate or reference for some zelkova.

 

[milehigh_7]

I'm not asking because I am trying to buy them from you, but how much roughly would these trees go for? I'm just trying to get an estimate or reference for some zelkova.

http://www.gregorybeachbonsai.com/5.html

Don has awesome little Zelkova brooms. Buy one, you won't be sorry.

 

[cmeg1]

Ok, I have to ask: How are you securing your trees into the colanders on top of the upside down dish?

Instead of a dish, consider using a thin board. Run a screw up from the bottom, and into the bottom of the trunk. That holds it down. Spread the roots across the board. Drill 4 holes in the board at 12, 3, 6, 9 o'clock positions. Run wires up from underneath. Use the wires to hold the roots down securely against the board. Bury the board and roots under an inch of soil in your pot or colander. Before you cover the roots, if you want roots on a certain part of the trunk, scrape off the bark using a sharp knife, and stuff that area with spaghnum moss. It'll root. Bury it.

Next year, dig it up, and roots will have run across the board and over the sides. Trim off all the way around the board, bury it back for next year.

It's really easy, and it builds a flat nebari.

Thanks,Adair.
I am a patient man,but I could not bring myself to get the board,screws and drill bit.
All I had to buy with my method was a bag of soil
I really like the sphagnum moss method to make roots.Thanks for reminding me.It is a crucial time as I am potting about two a day now and have five more to go as the buds are awakening on different trees.
What I have been doing is using zip ties to anchor the trees in the colanders so they do not wobble in the breeze.
Here is a picture
Thanks again

 

[cmeg1]

Yes please keep this up I have a batch of 26 coming up and 200 more ready to stratify. One request, distill what you have learned in to a guide. You have some awesome data to pull from and it is super valuable. Thank you for the hard work you have put in to the documentation.

Thanks,Milehigh.I am so still learning though.
What may help is post #55 and #58. That is what I did with these trees.#58 depending on wether you want taller or shorter trees.I opted for taller bole sections.
Best of luck!

 

[cmeg1]

A couple more trees today had buds almost popping,so I did some more.
This Zelkova #11 had a lot of roots.
The thick roots are only just over an inch,they look really long for some reason.
1/2" trunks.
I am taking advice from more experienced members and straightening all the roots I can.
I use a bamboo skewer.

 

[cmeg1]

Here is zelkova#12
It has roots pretty much all the way around it,just a little lopsided.

 

[Vin]

I like #11 a lot!

 

[cmeg1]

I like #11 a lot!

Hey thanks,Vin.That is a favorite of mine too.
I see a trim after the first flush hardens a tad right before I start defoliation.It seems I will need more room to develop the canopy.