[Watto] - Chinese Elm

[Watto]

Hi, this is my first entry in this comp and really looking forward to to see how I can improve this over the coming months.
Species - Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
Height - 14cm
Origin - Friom root cutting taken in 2010
Cost - Free to a good home
I will post some other photos soon.

[Watto]

I started some work on this little fellow today. On closer look I discovered that this tree does not have a good root system as yet so some caution is needed when working on it.
The leaf size of this particular tree is very small (one of its attractions) and it has some movement close to the soil surface. I wired it and reduced the height a bit (it now stand about 7cm tall).
Now some fertilizer and TLC.

[siddhar]

Awesome trunk mate.. I've been working on a root over rock Elm I've had for 6 years, its getting there slowly!

[Watto]

Just a quick update.
The foliage pads are starting to develop nicely, but I am still a bit concerned with the root activity. A good fertilizer program should build it up - hopefully!

[Watto]

The foliage pads on this little tree have been trimmed quite a few times now, although there is still a lack of foliage along the branch on the right as we look at it. With some luck it will fill in before winter sets in.
I am very keen to get it out of the plastic container but still the root system is not quite strong enough so it will be an early spring re-pot. Not shown very well as yet, but it does have a nice thick trunk for a very small tree - honest!
Cheers

[bodhidharma]

but it does have a nice thick trunk for a very small tree - honest!

I believe you Watto

[MattA]

It does have a nice thick trunk for such a little tree, however, I am wondering if it is a chinese elm & not a Seiju elm.

[Watto]

Thankyou Bodhi.
Pretty sure its a Chinese Elm, probably corky bark.

[Watto]

Not a lot of foliage growth recently, however it is showing some colour in the leaves which is nice. The growth along that right branch that I was hoping for has not eventuated as yet, but I live in hope.

[Watto]

The reminder from Steven spurred me into action, but just to take a photo of the winter look and the ramification I have been able to get in the last 12 months.
So far I am pleased with the ramification, but I am still worried about that right branch. I have let it grow, and I have trimmed it, but still the secondary branching has refused to sprout as I was hoping.
I have been scouring the pot shelves for a suitable pot and now I have it down to a couple - classical Japanese and classical Australian. Only a few weeks for me to make up my mind now.

[Watto]

This tree is decidious and it is August (the usual potting or re-potting time for decidious trees where I live) so I decided that it was time this little darling went into a real bonsai pot.
To facilitate this I removed the wire, did the usual root trimming and placed it in its new pot. Unfortunately the branches (well most of them) reverted to their original position. So I now have it in a pot, but I need to re-wire it all over. Oh well, at least it will get an improved level of care because bonsai pots deserve the best treatment, well at least they get that at my place.

[Watto]

Its very sad that this little tree has passed to the bonsai garden in the sky.

[Bonsai4ever]

Ah! The cost of learning. Taken from a root cutting in2010 and poor root growth in 2012 is perhaps the reason, not to mention placement in a bonsai pot a little too soon perhaps.

[Watto]

It was a risk -v- reward situation, and the risk wasn't worth it!