Progression thread - Ulmus Parvifolia & Trident

[Nelis]

Hi B-Nuts

I've been floating around for a while, but this will be my first post.

I have a lot of "projects" going at the moment, but I want to concentrate on these 2 trees as a personal progression thread to start my journey on Bonsai Nut and to document my own and tree development.
I generally have green fingers, so propagation usually goes well with me, and I tend to keep plants alive.

Being in the southern hemisphere, we are getting well into spring at the moment. I had to urgently relocate at the end of August, so things was done in a haste, trees that was in the ground is now in pots, and will unfortunately remain so for now.
I am extremely bad at taking photos before I DO things(working on that) so these picks were taken after the work.

Firstly, is the Ulmus Parvifolia.
When this was in the ground, it was sticking 90 degrees straight out of the ground.
I dug it up did some root work(made root cuttings) and planted it at an angle and did a serious trunk chop, this was done on the 27th of August 2020, now I'm just letting it grow out before the next chop at the first branch to keep the movement going.

 

[Nelis]

These photos were taken today;

 

[Nelis]

Second tree is is one of 5 trident maples I have, the smallest of them all, although they are the same age. I picked this one, because it is the first tree that I wired (the others are too thick to do so). I do not know where this one might end up in 5 or 10 years, might remain in this general shape, or maybe ROR. The tree might let me know otherwise.

Again, photo was taken after the work was done. Tree was also in the ground, but straight as an arrow. It has some buds (that just doesn't want to pop) on the bare trunk, and due to haste and inexperience while doing the wiring, I rubbed off 2 of them that I believe would have been important in the future.

 

[Nelis]

The maple was also done on the 27th of August 2020.

 

[Grovic]

Second tree is is one of 5 trident maples I have, the smallest of them all, although they are the same age. I picked this one, because it is the first tree that I wired (the others are too thick to do so). I do not know where this one might end up in 5 or 10 years, might remain in this general shape, or maybe ROR. The tree might let me know otherwise.

Again, photo was taken after the work was done. Tree was also in the ground, but straight as an arrow. It has some buds (that just doesn't want to pop) on the bare trunk, and due to haste and inexperience while doing the wiring, I rubbed off 2 of them that I believe would have been important in the future.

Trident maples back bud easily, when you decide to trunk chop, you can just aim a bit higher than your intended height, once you secure some buds, you can chop lower, but let it recover first from the recent work.
I find this article very helpful: https://evergreengardenworks.com/trunks.htm

 

[Nelis]

Trident maples back bud easily, when you decide to trunk chop, you can just aim a bit higher than your intended height, once you secure some buds, you can chop lower, but let it recover first from the recent work.
I find this article very helpful: https://evergreengardenworks.com/trunks.htm

Thanks @Grovic
Very nice, detailed article.
Yes I know they do, just don't want to "force" the buds to come out at this moment, as I do not want to cut the current leader of, yet.
Just want 1 or 2 shoots to help thicken the trunk a bit. Patience.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[AlainK]

You should get rid of the dry stub, then apply cut paste on the wound :

 

[leatherback]

I rubbed off 2 of them that I believe would have been important in the future.

Don't worry about it. At this age it will pop buds all over eventually. Once you get strong growth and trim.

 

[Nelis]

You should get rid of the dry stub, then apply cut paste on the wound :

View attachment 330851

Thanks @AlainK will do that, not quite "dry" yet, will give it another month.

 

[Nelis]

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

Thanks @sorce , can't wait for the next 10 years growth!

 

[Nelis]

Quick update, I nipped of most of the growing tips on the right side of the tree to get some balance.

 

[Nelis]

Update.
Not very happy, neither are my trees.
Got some good growth to start out with, but the last 2 months was horrible, with temps touching 40 deg C, and the last 2 to 3 weeks constant afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity, my soil is formulated to retain moisture, as we have more dry weather than wet.

Non the less, my trees are still alive, but struggling, as is evident in the pictures;
Ulmus

 

[Gustavo Martins]

Your Ulmus does not look to be struggling much IMO.

 

[Nelis]

The Ulmus was infected by powdery mildew as well. Tried the soap treatment, twice, they came back is 3 days each time. Then I zapped them with rose care - problem gone. The only species of the 10+ ones I have to get the mildew.

 

[Nelis]

Your Ulmus does not look to be struggling much IMO.

Its losing leaves and have some twigs dying. After all the rain I fed them high Nitrogen chemical fertilizers today, hopefully it picks up in 2 weeks or so.

 

[Nelis]

Trident.
Removed the wire about 6 weeks ago, was starting to bite into the trunk, but all that new growth on top was too heavy and pulled the trunk almost horizontal, hence the stake.
Still no buds breaking on the lower part, but then I trim it in late winter (end of August) I'm pretty sure things will happen, for now I'm happy with the trunk thickening.
I will definitely have to get them in better soil for the next growing season.

 

[Nelis]

For some or other reason, all my racers (acer p, acer b and acer r) leaves looks similar to this, so I sprayed them with the rose care as well. Hopefully it helps.

 

[SeanS]

Trident.
Removed the wire about 6 weeks ago, was starting to bite into the trunk, but all that new growth on top was too heavy and pulled the trunk almost horizontal, hence the stake.
Still no buds breaking on the lower part, but then I trim it in late winter (end of August) I'm pretty sure things will happen, for now I'm happy with the trunk thickening.
I will definitely have to get them in better soil for the next growing season.

Why do you want to trim it this winter already? It’s still a seedling, it needs a few more years of growing before you start cutting back. I’ve got around 60 trident seedlings ranging from 1-2 years old, they’re all going to left to grow for a few years before any cutting gets done to them.

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

Hi Nelis,
So here is my take on your trees.
Your elm (maybe Zelkova ) looks like it is staying too wet for too long and the roots are in trouble. The yellow leaves and early defoliation are a symptom of a problem. So if the roots are in trouble the last thing you want to do is feed it. Getting the roots healthy first is the game, and ease up on the watering with this one. Maybe repotting in the next Spring into a more open media might be an answer.
Your trident looks ok and healthy, and I agree with the others that you need to leave it alone.
Both look like you could be impatient, and I was definitely one of those a few years ago. How many other trees have you bought/grown etc? I have a hundred or more I am growing out for the next few years or more, and a few more advanced ones for me to do something while waiting and trying not to be impatient lol.
Good luck,
Charles