Mame- Chinese Elm- Beginning

[Luke]

hello peoples, while removing weeds from a chinese elm, i found an unintentional root cutting, 'im guessing thats what it is' , its been potted on its own and will become my first attempt at a shito - mame.
Pup, (hope you're reading this) your minis are absolutely amazing and an inspiration!, i will be asking questions as they arise and any knowledge and wisdom you share will be jotted down in my notebook and worshiped! thanks champ
This is the lil fella with possible pots and angles,

mame elm 1.JPG

100_2036.JPG

mame elm 5.JPG

mame elm a.JPG

mame elm b.JPG

mame elm c.JPG

mame elm d.JPG

mame elm e.JPG

any comments?

thanks for taking a look happy easter all
Luke

[kcpoole]

the standard answer will be to "Put it in the ground to thicken up"

In reality let it grow as fast as it can so you then cut back and regrow, then do it again
I love looking at Pups Minis too, But usually they start with a cutting or larger tree which has been cut down.

I have heard it takes as long to make a large tree into a Bonsai as it does to make a seed into one as well.

Ken

[MelaQuin]

Can't see the inspiration at this stage. Even thinking pots and stones and whatever is like looking at a newborn baby and trying to plan the university path without a clue as to the child's inclinations. I'd pot it on and let it grow and look for something with more development to start on your mame and coax this along on the sidelines.

[Pup]

Can't see the inspiration at this stage. Even thinking pots and stones and whatever is like looking at a newborn baby and trying to plan the university path without a clue as to the child's inclinations. I'd pot it on and let it grow and look for something with more development to start on your mame and coax this along on the sidelines.

In total agreement. Mame and Shohin are still tree's in miniature so they need the branches and Apex of the larger tree's, just not as many, they need taper as well, so yes by all means start styling, but leave it its growing pot.
That way it will develop quicker especialy if you water and feed it well.

Cheers Pup

[Luke]

Can't see the inspiration at this stage. Even thinking pots and stones and whatever is like looking at a newborn baby and trying to plan the university path without a clue as to the child's inclinations. I'd pot it on and let it grow and look for something with more development to start on your mame and coax this along on the sidelines.

i agree melaquin, thinking about a show pot now is silly!, but remember im fairly new to bonsai, young and.... easily excited .... after finding the elm and the pots, originaly for mini suculents, i got excited about creating a mini and decided to share here The current pot is its grow pot and the stone was a backdrop. These pics are basicly just reference to the beginning!!! i do realize its just a twig and is insignificant at this stage!, and your right the inspiration in the twig has yet to be seen!. but a bit of excitment never hurt anyone even if it is a couple years premature .
It will be joining the others on the sidelines for power growing and coaxing!

In total agreement. Mame and Shohin are still tree's in miniature so they need the branches and Apex of the larger tree's, just not as many, they need taper as well, so yes by all means start styling, but leave it its growing pot.
That way it will develop quicker especialy if you water and feed it well.
Cheers Pup

hi pup, cheers hey.. could you recommended any books, articles on mame / miniature bonsai? thanks
luke

[FlyBri]

could you recommended any books, articles on mame / miniature bonsai? thanks

Gday Luke!

They're not nearly as small as Mr Pup's minis, but Morten Albek has a great website devoted to his Shohin Bonsai. I haven't checked for a while, but I seem to recall that most of the trees in his gallery come complete with pictorial histories.

Good luck.

Fly.

[Gerard]

Hi Luke,
It is great to see you havind a go.
You are telling us what you like and what you would like to achieve, lots of people are learning from this.

Regards Gerard

[blkrota]

Get excited, its a cool find.

Buy the smallest pot you can ,Maybe the same size as the bottle cap and put it in.

I have learnt that you can use single leaves as branches on that scale.Truck will come with time, It was free so why not give it a go.

I just bought some Mame pots yesturday and going back for more. Japanese made pots for $6.50

Adam