From what I have gathered there are a few people trying this method of making small broom Zelkova from seed.I thought I would share the only way I have learned in the past three years that works.
First year technique is essential so I copied it from earlier in the thread:
First year technique is quite simple.
-Sprout from seed in complete shade so they grow leggy and have unusually long trunks,deep shade.
-When first two true leaves stabilize,transplant to a grow pot and put in sun/part-sun.
-When they split in the -V- shape,which occurs naturally,let each side grow to 5-7 leaves,then cut back to 4 leaves.(each stem).
-If one side of the -V- is weaker,it don't matter,just start trimming the other side(as explained below) while the weak side catches up to 5-7 leaves.
-After you cut back to 4 leaves,cut the top-most 4th leaf leaving 1/3 of the leaf,cut the 3rd leaf leaving 1/2 of the leaf,cut the 2nd leaf leaving 2/3 of the leaf ,and leave the bottom leaf whole.(each stem)
-Remove 1 of any opposed leaves pointing at each other and clashing from different stems.
-Repeat this process of cutting and restraining leaves all season(just keep repeating these steps).They keep sprouting.
-In winter,tie up the branches with the ribbon and cut off to appropriate height(the trunk should be 1/3 of eventual tree height).
-Done.
This whole technique is to be done in first season only.I left the pictures of their first growing season.REMEMBER, sprout from seed in deep shade so they get unusually long before the first two leaves stabilize.Untie the ribbon the following Spring when you bring them out.
Have fun.Hope this helped you.*Plant seed with sharp end and root sticking out straight down*for straight trunk.