Chinese Elm

I recently bought this Chinese Elm as a stand alone Chuhin exhibit or as a possible secondary tree in a Shohin rack composition (height c.15inches.) I don't like it in its current pot and am tinkering with some options for a replacement. I am envisioning it in a rectangular rather than oval as per the quick virtual. Not sure about the colour though. Any suggestions?

The current pot is a creamy-yellow.



I do prefer the rectangular shape.

Hi Fiona,

I prefer it in the rectangle. I think the depth of pot you've chosen is fine, but maybe a slight bit shorter in length? I think the colour is fine, maybe a shade darker, but not much in it?

See you soon.

Paul

Should have added that the tree will be displayed predominantly as a winter image as it looks far better out of leaf.

Funnily enough, when I was doing the virt I thought it would be shorter too. But it actually looked better at this length. Maybe a different colour would change that though.

FIONA,,A very nice tree with a great trunk!! to me the pot looks good but if you think it needs changing what about a light brown or some darker than your picture??? Anyway good looking tree take care john

I really like the current pot. Just my opinion though.

as a stand alone medium sized tree the last pot goes really well, but for use in shohin display wont you will need to reduce the tree quite drastically in size? - both height and maybe width - (or is it a shohin tree you plan on growing up into a chuhin?). once reduced in size i think the pot choice will need to be made again as shohin trees can work better with brighter colours and even decoration on the pots, also the shohin pot chosen would be better complementing the other trees and pots used in the display so nothing distracts the viewer

(haha, see Mark, lots sunk in at your excelent talk you did for us ! )

i think once a tree has a definite direction the pot and level of refinement needed will become much clearer.

really nice elm, totally reminds me of the peter adams one in the books from years ago (although that tree is a fair bit bigger now)

regards Marcus

I won't be doing anything to the tree until it drops its leaves and I can see the ramification. It appears (from what I can see through the leaves) to be getting a bit too leggy and if that is the case, it would be my intention to reduce it quite a bit. That would also make the trunk seem even more substantial and dramatic.

To clarify the use in a shohin display, it would not be used as one of the five trees in the main rack (it's always going to be way too big for that) but as a secondary tree - i.e. the one that sits off to the side of the main rack. It therefore would be the second most dominant tree in the overall display. (I should fess up here that Mark is my teacher too ) Caroline Scott has a similar one which she uses in this capacity and it is marvellous. I have a picture somewhere which I will try to find.

But as I say, I am reserving judgment until I can see what can/needs to be done once it is out of leaf.

Hi Fiona.

the oval pot I think is better but a bit wider.

...IMHO Though not the concern at the given topic, the branch or foliage pad in front and dead center seems to be blockin' the trunk and branch structure beyond.

regards,
jun

Hi Fiona
Nice little tree,if has you say you are going to cut back to tighten up the image I think the size of the oval pot is no problem. If the tree was mine I would stick to the oval,but in a far darker colour.my preference would be a glazed dark bottle green,sounds a strange colour,but I tried it on an elm of mine and for a winter image works well. I would also lose the moss at the bottom of the trunk as this can be a real problem in the winter (50%water 50%white vinegar)
Works great.
Bob
PS haven,t had your entry yet!

FIONA,,I have one question...Could the large bottom branch on the right be removed also the two on the right so you would have just one on each side to thicken up ??? this i think would make the tree more compacted with the branches not so close togather..only my opion..take a look you know way more than I !! I still like it !! take care john