Hokkaido Elm "strong" variety

[Scott Roxburgh]

...do not turn it into a single trunk tree what ever you do ...

Totally agree with Craig, nice spreading-form bonsai are few and far between

...also could use some 1mm wire...

[Bretts]

Thanks Scott, I didn't think I did much to the tree last spring but it was slow to respond (not what I expected anyway ) so I will leave the major pruning and wiring until next spring. Also lots more guy wires because even though it is the strong variety I still found that it was pretty easy to snap branches using wire to bend branches.

[GavinG]

This is natural, very graceful and rich to look at. There are too many "formula" trees in the world (I know, I have plenty) - let's see what else we can do.

I'd like to see it in a couple of years, when you have the foliage where you want it. Maybe not too clipped?

Gavin

[Bretts]

Thanks Gavin, I am thinking the foliage will be much like the seiju elm at the national collection.
viewtopic.php?f=129&t=8531

[Luke308]

I agree with Craig, I think this tree is looking good, and I would leave it as is (ie not a single trunk) Also thanks for sharing the info on guy wires, I had found an article on it before, but not as detailed as the second one you posted, and it didn't include the bit about snipping a bit off of the tubing for branch to branch guy wires. good find!!

[pjkatich]

Hi Brett,

You have done a good job with this Hokkaido.

I would continue in the direction you are going with this tree. In my opinion, trying to fight the natural growth habits of this species is a mistake.

I also use guide wires a lot with my deciduous material (especially brittle elms like the Hokkaido) and offer you the following idea that I came up with a number of years ago for dealing with trees in bonsai pots.

I build a simple wood-frame box like this to fit a specific tree:

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I include some screw-in eyelets like this:

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And the rest is self expanitory:

IMG_0011a.jpg

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These boxes accomplish several things:
They provide a better anchor for your guide wires.
They a very handy for transporting your trees (thus the handles).
They help keep soil cooler by keeping the direct sun off the pot during the summer months.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers,
Paul

[Bretts]

Hey Paul that's a great idea thanks for that

How do you go growing the Hokkaido Elm, alot of the international guys say they have trouble with them dying back even the seiju elm. They love heaps of sun so maybe it is the Aussie sun that helps us have more success here with them. I seemed to lose some twigs on this last Winter so I will be interested to see how it goes from here.

Is there a natural form for the Hokkaido Elm It seems they are a sport that doesn't get used anywhere but in bonsai
Have to plant one out and just let it grow. Walter reckons they won't survive in the wild. A domesticated tree

Still love that tree of yours and thanks again for the idea

[pjkatich]

Hey Paul that's a great idea thanks for that

Your welcome Brett.

How do you go growing the Hokkaido Elm, alot of the international guys say they have trouble with them dying back even the seiju elm.

I tried growing Hokkaido's for 11 years before I finally gave up on them. They would grow great for 3 or 4 years if left alone. Then, when I tried to refine them they would die.

Just about gave up on the Seiju Elms until I figured out what I was doing wrong.

They love heaps of sun so maybe it is the Aussie sun that helps us have more success here with them. I seemed to lose some twigs on this last Winter so I will be interested to see how it goes from here.

Yes, they do love a lot of sun. But more importantly, it's what the don't like and that is going into dormancy without all the twigs having hardened off.

If this happens, both of these elms will drop most of their fine branches without a second thought. They seem to pull back all their resources from these areas and abort several years worth of growth.

I do not pinch or prune any of my Seiju elms after August 15th. I cut back on the amount of nitrogen I feed them at the same time and just let them go until the cold weather comes.

Is there a natural form for the Hokkaido Elm

I'm not sure if there is a natural form but this is how I saw the ones I worked with trying to grow.

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Cheers,
Paul

[Ces]

Gday Bretts,

I'm with you on the styling for this one... love the natural feel. any chance of an update on this wee elm?

Cheers,

Ces.

[fiveoffive]

yeah I like it as is.
I can see a very nice tree in a few years from now.