Transforming 2 Mallsai

[Atom#28]

I got these on a sort of “Amazon BOGO” deal. My first bonsai trees, and the gateway to my full fledged addiction. I quickly learned that exaggerated S-shaped elms are basically the devil incarnate. Winter boredom has led me to pulling these fellas out of dormancy early. Some wiring and some air layering ensued. Here’s my first work on deciduous trees:

Chinese elm #1
Repotting in January? Why not?! I discovered some big roots beneath the original soil line. Some tentative pruning, and into the pot.

I see an opportunity for 2 trees here, so I did a little wiring, then started an air layer:



and here is elm #1 ten days later:

 

[Atom#28]

Elm # 2 gets the same treatment. Wired into a windswept look....


And airlayering attempt:





Sure doesn’t take long to begin growing! Ten days under a 600w led grow light results in:

 

[Warpig]

Looks good. Hope they root well for ya. Keep us posted.

 

[leatherback]

Lol, not waisting any growing season are you!

 

[henrykiser]

I got these on a sort of “Amazon BOGO” deal. My first bonsai trees, and the gateway to my full fledged addiction. I quickly learned that exaggerated S-shaped elms are basically the devil incarnate. Winter boredom has led me to pulling these fellas out of dormancy early. Some wiring and some air layering ensued. Here’s my first work on deciduous trees:

Chinese elm #1
Repotting in January? Why not?! I discovered some big roots beneath the original soil line. Some tentative pruning, and into the pot. View attachment 279312View attachment 279313View attachment 279314View attachment 279315

I see an opportunity for 2 trees here, so I did a little wiring, then started an air layer:

View attachment 279316View attachment 279317View attachment 279318View attachment 279319

and here is elm #1 ten days later:



View attachment 279320
View attachment 279321

Will be cool to see how the fatty base of this one develops as a shortie...

 

[Atom#28]

Will be cool to see how the fatty base of this one develops as a shortie...

I think so, too! That was all buried and unknown to me until this repotting.

 

[AlainK]

Very good job, I'm with you...

 

[Atom#28]

Just 9 days later, one of the elms is already spittin out air layer roots! Apparently air layers can be done under lights.

 

[misfit11]

Very nice, Atom! Not many newbies are able to progress as quickly as you have in this hobby. And to take typical newbie malsai material and transform it into quality material with the potential to become nice trees is inspirational.
I wish I had progressed as quickly as you seem to be. I spent many years spinning my wheels with crap material and growing them in inferior substrate. I wish I had joined a club sooner and begun doing workshops. My knowledge and skill level took off after doing so.

 

[Atom#28]

Damn, dude! I appreciate the kind words. I owe every single bonsai success to this forum. You guys are the most welcoming, helpful, and supportive community I've been a part of. I actually got kicked out of and BLOCKED from one of the biggest facebook groups because I dared to comment on a way I thought someone could improve their work... FB bonsai groups are TOXIC!!!!

 

[Tommykeolle]

excited for the windswept idea! Hopefully this all worked out for you, any updates?

 

[Atom#28]

excited for the windswept idea! Hopefully this all worked out for you, any updates?

saw lot of roots, so I separated the top. It quickly decided it was time to die

 

[Tommykeolle]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that... I've been there. Dare I ask....how are the others?

 

[Lazylightningny]

When I saw your layers my first thought was that it was not wide enough and you did not get enough of the cambium off and it would bridge, but glad to see some roots coming off. fingers crossed!