Smysgma
Seedling
Hello!
I have a seiju elm that I bought from a nursery late last fall (#3 pot). The bark looked rubbed smooth on the first couple of inches of the trunk (it looks slightly more rough already). Even with its reverse taper, I just love this little tree. During the winter, I brought it into the garage only during the deepest or longest freezes. Once it leafed out in the spring, I thinned it quite a bit (at least for a newbie's first try) and it seems to be growing well. I see that this tree is going to give me a lot of trimming practice!
Before reducing the height of the tree, I'm trying my hand at air layering. I started the first one about three weeks ago, a second one today, and I have my eye on one or two others. I was worried that the air layering pods/balls would not retain enough moisture, but I peeked inside the first one today and it seems okay.
I have a few questions if anyone has advice to share, please:
--Is it okay to trim back new growth above the air layer? Or would that take nutrients away from the growing roots?
--Has anyone had good luck at getting seiju cuttings to root? What's the trick? I've tried a few different ways and they have all either shriveled up or grown mold.
--I'm confused about fertilizers. Any suggestions for a seiju?
--Today I kept seeing ants in the seiju's pot. Would they be damaging the roots? I put some diatomaceous earth on the soil, but do I need to do more?
Any wise words would be appreciated!
I have a seiju elm that I bought from a nursery late last fall (#3 pot). The bark looked rubbed smooth on the first couple of inches of the trunk (it looks slightly more rough already). Even with its reverse taper, I just love this little tree. During the winter, I brought it into the garage only during the deepest or longest freezes. Once it leafed out in the spring, I thinned it quite a bit (at least for a newbie's first try) and it seems to be growing well. I see that this tree is going to give me a lot of trimming practice!
Before reducing the height of the tree, I'm trying my hand at air layering. I started the first one about three weeks ago, a second one today, and I have my eye on one or two others. I was worried that the air layering pods/balls would not retain enough moisture, but I peeked inside the first one today and it seems okay.
I have a few questions if anyone has advice to share, please:
--Is it okay to trim back new growth above the air layer? Or would that take nutrients away from the growing roots?
--Has anyone had good luck at getting seiju cuttings to root? What's the trick? I've tried a few different ways and they have all either shriveled up or grown mold.
--I'm confused about fertilizers. Any suggestions for a seiju?
--Today I kept seeing ants in the seiju's pot. Would they be damaging the roots? I put some diatomaceous earth on the soil, but do I need to do more?
Any wise words would be appreciated!