Thick elm cutting

[kez]

Hey folks,

I have a largish chinese elm that I am developing and it has a thick branch down low and towards the back that I believe is confusing the shape of the tree. I was initially going to work it into the design but I am starting to think it needs to go, I was reading through the elm species article on bonsai4me and it mentioned that hardwood cuttings should be taken in winter.

The branch in question is about 2-3cm thick and could make a good shohin, and I was wondering what thoughts were on taking this as a cutting now? Would a rooting hormone be recommended? and would it be a good idea to use a plastic bottle as a little green house,or should I just wait until spring?

I can post a pic when I get home

Cheers,

Kez

[Eusto]

I would wait until spring but someone else might have a good method for this time of year.

You'll have a better chance of success if you air layer it.

Some people use bottles, personally i use clear large sandwiche bags with the zip lock tops. I took cuttings which were pretty thick about 2 months ago and they are shooting new leaves. I find the advantage of the plastic sandwich bag is it expands lots when the cuttings create oxygen . When the bag looks like a balloon then you know its time to open the bag up for a few minutes and then close again. I haven't had to water them once in two months, its a great little humid environment in there, meaning i didn't wash any of the rooting hormone away.

[shibui]

The issue with cuttings Kez is to maintain moisture content until the cutting is able to produce roots and obtain its own water. I find that the earlier I take cuttings the longer they have to dry out. I have better success with dormant hardwood cuttings closer to spring. I have had good success with earlier hardwood cuttings ( mostly fruit trees) by following an old technique of burying them completely until spring (which i assume stops them drying out exposed to the air over winter) Using a plastic bag or bottle might give the same results or store the cuttings in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge until spring.

Might be easier to wait though.

[Elmar]

I would wait until spring but someone else might have a good method for this time of year.

You'll have a better chance of success if you air layer it.

Some people use bottles, personally i use clear large sandwiche bags with the zip lock tops. I took cuttings which were pretty thick about 2 months ago and they are shooting new leaves. I find the advantage of the plastic sandwich bag is it expands lots when the cuttings create oxygen . When the bag looks like a balloon then you know its time to open the bag up for a few minutes and then close again. I haven't had to water them once in two months, its a great little humid environment in there, meaning i didn't wash any of the rooting hormone away.

G'Day Eusto,
Any chance you could show us what it looks like?

Cheers
Elmar


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[Eusto]

Show what, what looks like?

[Elmar]

Show what, what looks like?

your set up. How you do it...


Cheers
EZ
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[Eusto]

Well i only currently have 4 cuttings in two zip lock bags. i opened them last night to allow new air in. I will take pictures when the bags inflate again. Should be about a week.
It's really not that impressive ha, but i'll get some pics for you. Its pretty much the same as the plastic bottle method only you can see how much oxygen the cuttings are producing. I could be wrong, but plastic bottle,s the pressure inside might be too much if you don't open them often enough, i have no idea if this affects the cuttings but i'm experimenting and its good to be able to see when the bags need to be opened..