Chinese Elm roots

Robsterios · Post by **Robsterios** » March 19th, 2018, 9:03 am

Hi Mel.. the other thing to consider is taking more off the root ball at the base and burying the tree deeper so that you just see the flare of the roots as they flare out. In addition to removing or shortening any over time.
I have a similar issue with a Fagus Sylvatica with exposed ugly roots but I reckon it may look a lot more natural by sitting it deeper in the pot. Anyway, my 2 cents worth.. It looks healthy as though and a good looking tree in the making.

melbrackstone · Post by **melbrackstone** » March 19th, 2018, 9:26 am

Cheers Rob. I really want to get this into a much smaller pot, so reducing the roots on top and the root ball are definitely in its future... I might have one or two spare pots after asking on fb for help on the crepe myrtle pot....LOL!

Sorry to hear we won't see you at Cradle this year...hope you can recover soon.

dansai · Post by **dansai** » March 19th, 2018, 9:00 pm

You should be able to do as shibui with the existing roots and cut them back hard. Definitely bury it deeper. Maybe leave some lower ones if you are worried about cutting too much off. You can then put into an orchid pot with a good open mix and feed it and water it heavily. It will grow like the clappers and then the following winter do another hard root prune, removing any lower roots that remain and pop it back in the orchid pot. Repeat for a few years and you will get well ramified roots just like your branches. And like your branches, the bits closest to the trunk will thicken up. This will help spread the base of the tree and eventually all the roots start to meet. A young vigorous elm will cope with yearly repots and hard pruning and will reward you with the nebari you are after. You can work on the branches at the same time and when you are happy with your base and trunk, then pop it into a beautiful pot and finish the branches.

melbrackstone · Post by **melbrackstone** » March 19th, 2018, 9:27 pm

Thanks dansai, extra info very much welcome!

Cheers

melbrackstone · Post by **melbrackstone** » May 26th, 2018, 8:59 am

As per usual with people asking advice, I've asked and mostly ignored....LOL!

Sorry guys. What I decided to do was cut the roots back while the tree was still actively growing, so that they can start producing new leaves, and leave the tree in the pot to recover without too much disturbance. I did half not long after I asked in here, and the other half about a month ago.

This is the result.

ElmRoots1.jpg

elmRoots2.jpg

ElmRoots3.jpg

ElmRoots4.jpg

ElmRoots5.jpg

Watto · Post by **Watto** » May 27th, 2018, 7:34 am

Not a bad decision at all Mel. All the root systems have not been disturbed and all have growth. At the next re-pot you should have success with all of them.

Ryceman3 · Post by **Ryceman3** » May 27th, 2018, 7:45 am

Instant forest...!
... and hopefully better roots on the original tree ... win/win!

melbrackstone · Post by **melbrackstone** » May 27th, 2018, 9:29 am

Cheers Watto and Ryceman3, I'm pleased with the result so far, now itching to get them out of that large heavy pot!

Patience is always my biggest problem...

melbrackstone · Post by **melbrackstone** » April 24th, 2019, 4:52 pm

Thought I'd update this thread....

Raging Bull · Post by **Raging Bull** » April 24th, 2019, 7:27 pm

Well done Mel, A good result!

BrettP113 · Post by **BrettP113** » April 24th, 2019, 7:42 pm

Hi there Mel

How did you promote the growth on the tree roots. I gather it was some sort of cut.

Thanks

Brett

melbrackstone · Post by **melbrackstone** » April 24th, 2019, 8:14 pm

Thanks Frank, I'm happy with the way it's going.

Brett, Chinese Elms are very strong growers from root cuttings. All I did was make a cut in the root at the position I wanted to shorten them. The bits that were cut were left in the pot and were shooting within weeks. I've since taken them and potted them up separately.

BrettP113 · Post by **BrettP113** » April 24th, 2019, 9:04 pm

Thanks Mel

MJL · Post by **MJL** » April 24th, 2019, 10:54 pm

I really like the shape/direction you are taking that MelB. [THUMBS UP SIGN]

Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Keep Calm and Ramify · April 25th, 2019, 12:16 am

That's a huge improvement Mel - a bit of Chinese penjing influence happening?

AusBonsai

Chinese Elm roots

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