My modest beginning: Elm

[TreanuLeaves]

Hey all! I'm trying to stay active and excited and keep learning! I picked up a nice book and took a drive out to my local bonsai shop and picked up a little elm.

Artisans bonsai in thononasassa fl, the owner was very nice and there was quite a bit to look at. I took his last small elm from him for $35 and I must say he makes my crappy side yard a little happier.

I've been reading all about it but I was just wondering what people's thoughts were moving forward. It's got a branch at each bend so I might try to train those out a bit and eventually try to broom out the top. I picked the runt of the litter and I like him a lot but the movement seems a little rigid and manufactured and I'd like to soften him up. As you can clearly read I don't know what I'm talking about but I'd love to see what a more seasoned nut thinks of him!

Thanks!

 

[DougB]

Treanut welcome to the nut house and insanity. The first 2 things you must master are: 1. the ability to not just keep a tree alive for a few months, but to have it thrive over several years. and 2. PATIENCE and this is often the most difficult, for all of us. Bonsai are not made in a couple of hours, but over several years. Patience is the ability to not pick up your scissors, but to envision how your tree should look in 3, 5 or more years. And often make drawings.

So welcome, join your local club and they will help you gain these two important things. Yes and put your tools away and enjoy and keep your new tree alive.

 

[Cypress187]

If you like the S shape kinda type of bonsai then it sounds like a plan, but I don't think it's easy to transform this into a broom. Perhaps airlayer it and grow some more, develop taper and patience.

 

[TreanuLeaves]

Thanks DougB! Yeah my bad, I'm just excited I guess. I don't plan on chopping it up and trimming roots I am trying to look at it and develope a plan long term but I guess I'll take my time with that too!
Thanks again!

 

[TreanuLeaves]

Cool thanks cypress! I guess air layering is what I was trying to say! I'll just keep spinning it and drinking with it and see if it'll bush out for me! I guess I was looking for something with a more natural vibe to start with but I drove an hour to get there and it was closed so I get half way home and called them to find they opened late, so I drove back and wasn't leaving without a tree after all that. Anyway I'll let it tell me what it wants!
Thanks!

 

[Cypress187]

Did that soil jump out of the pot?

 

[TreanuLeaves]

yeah I was poking at the base of the tree when I brought it home. I'm not as patient as is like to be, I was just trying to take it all in!