AusBonsai

hi everyone,im a beginner to this hobby but im just wondering whats ther best way to get dense foliage pads on elms? do you cut back the new shoots or defoliate if someone could help that would be great

Hi Griffo, you use both of these techniques you can defoliate your tree and then as the new growth commences you pinch out the tips. Its not a bad idea to let the tree run for just a short period in spring after it comes into leaf but by now you should be feeding and working the foliage hard.
Craigw

Hi Griffo
I Tend to let my elms extend to about 6 leaves or so and then cut back to the first 2 or 3.
This will then force the buds at each leaf to grow which will then grow more leaves etc. Rinse and repeat thru the Growing season continually and you will have quite dense foliage pads form in no time

Ken

Ps
if this is on your elm you just bare rooted, I woud not go near it with scissors or shears with the plan to develop the foiage till after it shows positive signs of growth after about 6 weeks or so.

If the tree show signs of the new foiage wilting I woud remove the new tips tho

...ditto with Ken. I have an elm forest and tend to keep a close eye on cutting back to two leaves on the new growth. At this time of year the trees are exploding and need to be trimmed every two weeks. Never had the need or the inclination to defoliate as this method works very effectively. I'm working on a Semi cascade elm at the moment and the tree's natural structure and "padding" potential should result in a pleasant tree in few years....

Why do you want dense foliage pads?

Hi jeremy
Can you post a few Pictures of some of yours to show what a very nice Chinese Elm should look like

I know you have some which I have not seen for while ( since Bonsaitalk)

Ken

I'll second Ken Jeremy, please do show some of your work here, it would be a great learning experience for our members.

He has a link to his bonsai as his signature.

Waltron wrote:He has a link to his bonsai as his signature.

Yes I realise that, but was hoping he might post a few here to demonstrate the point in Question

As they say a picture is worth a thousand words

Ken