Small Elm winter image
+3
abcd
JimLewis
Richard S
7 posters
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Small Elm winter image
Hi folks
As a relative newcomer to bonsai I don't have any trees that you could describe as finished. Quite the opposite in fact, most of my trees are in a very raw stage of development. One or two of them are starting to get there though so I thought I'd post an image and ask for peoples views/opinions.
This is a small Elm air layer that I've had for a couple of years (it went into it's first bonsai pot this spring). Now that the leaves have finally fallen and I've removed the wire I thought it was starting to look quite good so I took a photo. Of course photos have a way of concentrating your eye on details (and frankly defects) that you don't necessarily see or at least dwell upon when viewing a tree in the flesh. As a result I'm not quite as satisfied as I previously was.
Still, there's plenty of scope for change and I have a few ideas of my own but if anyone else would like to make a suggestion or two that would be very welcome.
I'm not a member of any bonsai club and none of my friends or family are into bonsai so it would be great to get some constructive criticism and advice from more experienced enthusiasts on this forum.
Cheers
Richard
As a relative newcomer to bonsai I don't have any trees that you could describe as finished. Quite the opposite in fact, most of my trees are in a very raw stage of development. One or two of them are starting to get there though so I thought I'd post an image and ask for peoples views/opinions.
This is a small Elm air layer that I've had for a couple of years (it went into it's first bonsai pot this spring). Now that the leaves have finally fallen and I've removed the wire I thought it was starting to look quite good so I took a photo. Of course photos have a way of concentrating your eye on details (and frankly defects) that you don't necessarily see or at least dwell upon when viewing a tree in the flesh. As a result I'm not quite as satisfied as I previously was.
Still, there's plenty of scope for change and I have a few ideas of my own but if anyone else would like to make a suggestion or two that would be very welcome.
I'm not a member of any bonsai club and none of my friends or family are into bonsai so it would be great to get some constructive criticism and advice from more experienced enthusiasts on this forum.
Cheers
Richard
Richard S- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Thanks Jim
One of the things I noticed myself was that the lower branches were a bit weedy compared to the top of the tree. Your suggestion would not only simplify the overall design but largely resolve this problem also.
Definitely consider that option.
Regards
Richard
One of the things I noticed myself was that the lower branches were a bit weedy compared to the top of the tree. Your suggestion would not only simplify the overall design but largely resolve this problem also.
Definitely consider that option.
Regards
Richard
Richard S- Member
elm layer
An other virtual solution
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Without cutting the first branch on the right, let it grow 3 or 4 years .
It seems that the crown is going to the back side ?.
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Without cutting the first branch on the right, let it grow 3 or 4 years .
It seems that the crown is going to the back side ?.
abcd- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Whoops, we wrote together, more or less the same virtual .
Best regards , Daniel
-Daniel-- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Thanks guys, that's really helpful.
Daniel, nice virtual. I'm sure you are right that cutting back and growing new branches would solve the imbalance that the tree has. However I quite like the existing top. It would allow me to add as much movement as I like though so maybe?
abcd, also a great virtual and one that has got me thinking. You know it's funny because it's such a simple idea to change the planting angle but it really hadn't occurred to me to try that. It looks good as an informal upright. The wider pot looks right as well, assuming the future ramification you've shown. Also yes, the crown is leaning to the back somewhat but perhaps not as much as it looks in the photo.
Todd, thanks.
Regards
Richard
Daniel, nice virtual. I'm sure you are right that cutting back and growing new branches would solve the imbalance that the tree has. However I quite like the existing top. It would allow me to add as much movement as I like though so maybe?
abcd, also a great virtual and one that has got me thinking. You know it's funny because it's such a simple idea to change the planting angle but it really hadn't occurred to me to try that. It looks good as an informal upright. The wider pot looks right as well, assuming the future ramification you've shown. Also yes, the crown is leaning to the back somewhat but perhaps not as much as it looks in the photo.
Todd, thanks.
Regards
Richard
Richard S- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Was just outside taking a few photos of my trees now that they've leafed out so I thought I'd update this post.
The Elm hasn't changed at all, just grew some leaves but this what it looks like now. The plan is to let the lower branches grow freely but to keep on top of the apex. Next spring I may consider a wider pot and a change of angle.
Regards
Richard
The Elm hasn't changed at all, just grew some leaves but this what it looks like now. The plan is to let the lower branches grow freely but to keep on top of the apex. Next spring I may consider a wider pot and a change of angle.
Regards
Richard
Richard S- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Thanks, it's getting there. Give it a few more years to thicken those lower branches!
Richard S- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Well the moss grew aggressively this season if nothing else did! Not much branch thickening going on there although the ramification may have improved a little bit. Perhaps it's root bound already?
Anyhow, think I will definitely plant the tree in a bigger pot next spring and try the more upright position as suggested.
Cheers
Richard
Anyhow, think I will definitely plant the tree in a bigger pot next spring and try the more upright position as suggested.
Cheers
Richard
Richard S- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Hi Richard, if it was mine i'd want to tidy it up a bit, the red indicates where ive removed a branch and wired another into its place, with the others following suit. i also thinned the apex a tad, i'd also have those on the right rising too, up and out.
the other side of the branch i removed looks like it could do with a tidy up too, or thinning slightly. just my thoughts and what i'd want to do as these things would bother me. maybe you're just growing the tree out before cutting back the straight branches for movement?
the other side of the branch i removed looks like it could do with a tidy up too, or thinning slightly. just my thoughts and what i'd want to do as these things would bother me. maybe you're just growing the tree out before cutting back the straight branches for movement?
BobbyLane- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
Well your quite right that it needs a tidy up but I was hoping that by letting it grow freely the lower branches might thicken a bit. Not much sign of it yet though.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Richard S- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
The top of this plant looks much stronger than the bottom. Have you considered defoliating the top? I don't know this species, but American elm and (most) Chinese elms can be defoliated.
Stan Kengai- Member
Re: Small Elm winter image
You know, I hadn't considered defoliated the top of this tree. That's perhaps worth trying.
Your right that top is very vigorous while the lower branches appear to have essentially stopped growing. The tree was very root bound in the old pot and I hoped that re-potting into bigger container would be enough to improve the growth but it only worked at the top (which of course wasn't where the problem was).
It grew a lot more before it went into a bonsai pot of course so putting it back in it's old plastic plant pot would be another option.
Regards
Richard
Your right that top is very vigorous while the lower branches appear to have essentially stopped growing. The tree was very root bound in the old pot and I hoped that re-potting into bigger container would be enough to improve the growth but it only worked at the top (which of course wasn't where the problem was).
It grew a lot more before it went into a bonsai pot of course so putting it back in it's old plastic plant pot would be another option.
Regards
Richard
Richard S- Member
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