Moving a Chinese Elm to a grow box

[Japh]

Hey everyone, I've just moved my Chinese Elm into a grow box! I did a blog post on the whole process, which I'd absolutely love to get feedback on if you don't mind: Migrating A Chinese Elm To A Grow Box

In particular, I'd appreciate if anyone can have a closer look at the photo of the roots after I've taken the tree out of its bonsai pot. Does that look like it was re-potted a month ago to you guys?

There's a small layer of gravel at the very bottom that the roots were tangled in. Also, I had to extracate the small piece of mesh from the roots that was covering the drainage hole.

Thanks

Edit: added photo of roots here, for those who'd rather not read the blog post, but might have insight to share

07_chinese_elm_roots.jpg

[anttal63]

hey japh put the progression up on aus bonsai. its here that we are building a datbase full of knowledge. then i will be more than happy to comment. please dont be offended but my motto is you get back what you put in.

[Japh]

hey japh put the progression up on aus bonsai. its here that we are building a datbase full of knowledge. then i will be more than happy to comment. please dont be offended but my motto is you get back what you put in.

Hi Ant, I'm not offended mate, and trust me I'm putting in here don't you worry!

As the blog post is quite large, I didn't want to post the whole thing in a thread, because it seems too big. I also don't think the style of writing or my level is necessarily quite right either.

Keep in mind that these things compliment each other. If you'd still prefer not to comment, I'll understand.

[anttal63]

hey japh put the progression up on aus bonsai. its here that we are building a datbase full of knowledge. then i will be more than happy to comment. please dont be offended but my motto is you get back what you put in.

Hi Ant, I'm not offended mate, and trust me I'm putting in here don't you worry!

As the blog post is quite large, I didn't want to post the whole thing in a thread, because it seems too big. I also don't think the style of writing or my level is necessarily quite right either.

Keep in mind that these things compliment each other. If you'd still prefer not to comment, I'll understand.

all good mate. i just meant the tree you're asking about, not your whole blog. as a rule personally i like it all on the forum im looking at, no time to surf around.

[aaron_tas]

i dropped you a comment on potensai...

and i mentioned teasing the roots, did you do this

because if you haven't already sorted the roots, i would certainly start working on the nebari/roots before you grow it out

what the roots do may even change your view on the styling of this tree altogether

all im saying is get amongst that rootball

[Japh]

all good mate. i just meant the tree you're asking about, not your whole blog. as a rule personally i like it all on the forum im looking at, no time to surf around.

Oh right, yeah, I already have a thread here about the tree in general. I assumed some people might not like to browse around, which is why I included the photo of the roots here too

i dropped you a comment on potensai...

and i mentioned teasing the roots, did you do this

because if you haven't already sorted the roots, i would certainly start working on the nebari/roots before you grow it out

what the roots do may even change your view on the styling of this tree altogether

all im saying is get amongst that rootball

Thanks, Aaron! Much appreciated I did tease the roots out a bit yeah. I was apprehensive about doing anything like this with the tree after what the guy I bought it from told me... but it doesn't look freshly potted to me, so perhaps I can disregard his advisement?

[aaron_tas]

after seeing the roots have obviously grown enough to hold all of the soil in the exact shape of the pot...

and the fact that this tree is still young, not forgetting how forgiving elm are when they are healthy...

MY advice would be to do all your initial work on the roots before you make them thick and therefore harder to move later

[Japh]

after seeing the roots have obviously grown enough to hold all of the soil in the exact shape of the pot...

and the fact that this tree is still young, not forgetting how forgiving elm are when they are healthy...

MY advice would be to do all your initial work on the roots before you make them thick and therefore harder to move later

Great! I might pull him back out and scruff him up a bit before putting him back in then, because I really don't feel I loosened them enough.

Might also be a good chance to check out exactly what's going on with that ugly root...

[63pmp]

I use styro boxes all the time as intermediate planters when moving from field to pots. Lining the bottom with paper is a dangerous activity as it will prevent drainage, it also takes along time for paper to rot, better to cover the holes with mesh, simply pin the mesh in place with wire staples. However, it is simple to pull the paper out of the holes so that it drains, so you don't have to start again. I've never used attapulgite. How long does it remain in pellet form? Will it fall apart after a few months of being wet?

If it was my tree I would have totally bare rooted the tree and prune the roots to start developing the nebari before planting in the box.

I find field growing trees fattens the trunk faster than box growing.

Paul

[Pup]

Japh, to answer your Question, no it does not look like it was re potted in the last month. I would say by looking probably 1- may be 1 and a half years.
Paul has suggested you bare root it.
That is the best way to go about sorting out the roots early. As you look at the roots when it is bare.
Have a look for some interesting shapes for potential new tree's.
As root cuttings, Chinese elms are one of the best and easiest to do this way. Just remember which way is up when you plant them out. Pup

[bodhidharma]

Yes i definitely agree. At least a year since attention has been paid to that root system. I would not dally bare rooting and teasing out the root system.

[Japh]

Thanks everyone, I might give it a go tonight, if the light hasn't disappeared by the time I finish working. Otherwise, tomorrow lunch time.

Should I completely bare-root it (if so... how does one do that?! ), or just tease out the root-ball?

[63pmp]

Japh,

I just posted an article on bare rooting trident maples. I treat Elms in a similar fashion.

Paul

[bodhidharma]

Well, looking at it i would cut of the bottom 10mm or so and then run a hose on jet through the rest of it,. You could probably tease it out with your fingers and finish with a rake. Cut around and leave 1/3 of the rootball and repot. If you are doing other preparation for your nebari like a stone underneath etc do it now also. The whole job should only take 10 mins or so. Cheers

[Japh]

I managed to find a dinner plater especially for arranging the roots over... but it's about 10mm too wide for the grow box!