Zelkova - remains of air layer

[Bonsaiforest]

Hi to all. Approximately 3 weeks ago (actually 18 days) I removed the air layer on my Zelkova. With the remaining stock from the parent plant I trimmed so that it was an even & clean cut. Sealed the heart wood with cut paste ensuring that I did not touch the cambium or outer bark. It has been kept in morning shade, then 3-4 hours full sun, then the rest of the day in shade. It also had 2-3 shoots 1/2 way up from the base of the trunk that were growing when the layer was still attached. Since the chop it has not showed any sign of new growth, no swelling or buds around the outer ring...Should I be concerned...? How long should I be waiting...? What would be best, keep it in dappled light, full shade, or full sun...? Should I be feeding it at all, or would that be pointless as there is no growth yet...? And last of all is it best to keep the soil just damp or err on the drier side, similar to what Shibui explained to me when I had done my first maple chop...?

Advice is always welcome...!!! I know I've asked a lot of questions...So answer as many as you like...

[peterb]

Hi bonsaiforest , when i chopped my chinese elm I waited a bit more than a month to get shoots and then they started slowly at first and then went bunta on me so that I'm pruning away unwanted shoots all the time . I know they're different species but what I'm trying to say is I think you need to wait a bit longer maybe. Mine also got morning sun and dappled afternoon sun
Peterb

[Bonsaiforest]

So another month on since I last posted. Stump is shooting from buds half way down the stump which for me really isn't ideal. I was hoping that it would shoot right at the chop mark, so that I had more options for main branch selection to create my broom style. When I scratch away at the bark at the top above the shoots it's still green, so would that mean that I still have a chance of it producing new growth at the above. Should I remove side shoots completely and re-chop the top slightly and start again...? Or would that be to risky with the chance of losing the lot seeing as we're coming to the end of the growing season ...?

[KIRKY]

I would trim the shoots, not remove at this stage and I would start with a heavy course of liquid power feed to try and push as much growth as you can. I know its towards the end of the season, but there is still time to push somemore Autumn growth.
Cheers
Kirky

[Bonsaiforest]

Thanks Kirky will do. Do you think I should also trim the top of stump as well or leave as is...?

[Scott Roxburgh]

Why not cut it back to the shoots?

[shibui]

Normally I would also say cut back to those new shoots but unless there is more trunk under the soil that would leave the trunk far too short
I think there is still a good possibility for shoots around the cut. It looks like callus is just starting to form there so shoots should still form.
My recommendation: and just let it grow until next spring.

[KIRKY]

Agree let it grow. There is plenty of time to cut after you see what growth you get.
Cheers
Kirky

[Bonsaiforest]

Thanks Shibui & Kirky will keep Will keep up with Kirky's suggestion to liquid feed & keep side shoots trimmed for the rest of Autumn. As there is no more trunk under soil (just root flare) will then wait till the end of next spring to see if more shoots pop. If not successful I'll try re-cutting the top slightly and see if that promotes any new growth. And if all else fails then I have the option of creating a twin/split trunk...with a little carving to do...not that I've seen any pics of the proposed style in nature...but may be an interesting project to work on. Time will tell.............

[KIRKY]

Hi Bonsaiforest,
I can't post pic's here sorry, as I was reading this one this morning thought of your little stump.
https://robertnochershohinbonsai.wordpr ... hawthorns/
Also I wouldn't rush to do anything in Spring. I would wait until summer as Spring will be the time it should push growth.
Heavy liquid till June? Or once leaves drop. Then I would start pallet feed about end July allowing it to break down and be ready for that flush of spring growth. Once leaves start again heavy liquid feed. Then come summer decide what you want to do.
Cheers
Kirky

[Bonsaiforest]

Hey Kirky...Thanks for all of the advice. Will follow as directed. Really appreciate the link that you've attached...great site lots of reading and the pics of split trunks on the first page are what I envisaged, that is of course if I'm only left with the side shoots by next summer. Do you have a preferred liquid feed...? I'm currently using "VitaRich" & will alternate with "Superthrive"...... Any others that you could recommend to fit into my fert regime would be greatly appreciated.

[KIRKY]

I use Powerfeed. But I don't think it matters. As long as you do it often. The thing is to try and push growth thru with instant feed. Pallets tend to break down and slow feed over time. Thats why I feed earlier than Spring.
Good luck hope it shoots lots and at least some are where you want them
If not, there are always different styles to choose from. Never set your sight to just one plan, if it doesn't work there are many more options. I had a cascade that just wasn't working. The more I looked at it the more I didn't like it. However after a tweek here and there its a great informal upright and I'm happy with it. A bare informal upright that was an eye sore became a great wind swept style. Challenge and change is good.
Cheers
Kirky

[Bonsaiforest]

Cheers Mate...Thanks Again.....