Water Elm (Planara aquatica)

Jim Lewis,,, I saw a elm you posted on another forum,, I would really like to know what you have thought to do with this tree !! it is different but nice... thank you take care john

I'm confused... If it was posted on another forum, why not ask him there?

Russell,,,I LOVE THIS FORM and check the other not often..I Thought may Jim would post the tree here also... Sorry if that was the wrong thing to do...take care john

I do too!

I don't check out the other forum, and I certainly can't say why it was posted there and not here. None of my business. I can only assume that if Jim wanted it discussed here, he would have posted it here. Maybe he intends to, who knows? Maybe you could just follow it there????

Well, I've posted it here before -- a few years ago. It's a collected-from-the-swamp natural bunjin. It is NOT a great tree. Just fun.







It has been in this pot about 10 years now. I've done little more to it than some pinching of the top. All the bends are natural. I was asking if more of the top needs to be removed to make it a better literati. So I'll ask it here, too.

I've gotten very little leaf reduction over the years.



To answer your question, John, I'm not planning much. I keep it as an oddity.

hi,
i think for the simplicity to really make the design work this tree could have just one of the branches rather than two. - either one is good, depending on the direction you want the tree to move. looking at the tree as bujin with just its essential branch remaining would be a nice design. if you want the literati style though, dropping one of the branches down and thinning both of some of the twigs would look good too.

nice to find such an unusual little tree

regards Marcus

OK. Here are the two options. As Marcus says, both might work, but I like the first one a bit better. Or, maybe . . . . ?

What do you think?

hi Jim,

for me i'd try the 2nd picture, tilted to the left, then the larger portion of the 'canopy' just gently wired upwards a fraction.

i'm sat here tilting the laptop with my head on one side !! haha, but it looks pretty good

cheers Marcus

Thank you Jim for posting your tree here.. I saw it and thought what a different tree it is.. one of a kind for sure.. both the styleing pictures look good but # 1 would be my pick to keep the tree kind of inside the pot,,your call .. please post what you do with it ..thanks take care john

I still haven't decided (but it is imminent).

Does anyone have any idea how Planara aquatica does as a cutting? That may determine when I do the deed.

Option #2 all the way, I think that would look outstanding. You then have an upward facing apex to work with!

If your thinking of trying to root out the other branch as a hard wood cutting, its best done now, pop the end in rooting hormone, then into fine bonsai soil, water it in and let it sit in cool shelter for the winter. You don't need me to tell you how to do hardwood cuttings I'm sure. Thats just how I do it.

-Jay

Thanks, Dr. (doctor Gonzo?) <g>

I think that's how I'll go.

Very nice Jim,

If it were mine I'll pick the number 2 option, although it is Ok for Literati to have Criscrossing branch or trunk, the first picture looks too number "9". Is it still possible to bend the trunk down to create more fluid movement? Probably by anchoring a guy wire to the pot and pulling the top part down.

regards,
jun

Is it still possible to bend the trunk down to create more fluid movement? Probably by anchoring a guy wire to the pot and pulling the top part down.

Thanks.

Can I put a bend in the trunk? I doubt it.