Bonsaify | How to Propagate Elms for Bonsai: Eric's Three Favorite Elms!

Eric shares his tips for successful propagation of Elms, focusing on his three favorite types and what size bonsai they are each best suited for, from mame and shohin to large trees.
00:00:44 Seiju Elms are a variety of Chinese Corkbark Elms whose leaves are significantly smaller than the regular variety. They're not common outside the United States. The leaves do get a bit bigger but still really tiny. This variety makes good shohin and mame. We are selling these as starters: www.bonsaify.c...
00:01:49 Regular Chinese Corkbark Elms are a little more vigorous and can grow larger, making medium and large-sized bonsai. We're also selling starters of this variety: www.bonsaify.c...
00:02:26 The third variety of Elms Eric likes to work with are Texas Cedar Elms (Ulmus Crassifolia). These actually have nothing to do with Cedar! The foliage/leaves are thicker and tougher feeling.
00:03:17 Eric finds these so interesting because the twigs are vigorous and having little wings. They produce nice rugged bark and fast growth characteristics.
00:03:50 When it comes to Elm propagation, to get the best results Eric recommends taking cuttings from the exact tree whose characteristics you already like.
00:04:17 One standard propagation technique is to cut vigorous shoots into sections between 5-8" in length. Then strip off bottom leaves and tender tips (to reduce water stress).
00:05:20 The health of the parent plan is important for cuttings.
00:06:01 A second propagation technique is to use slightly larger wood and create a heel cutting. Select a side branch with a larger branch below. Less reliable technique but does speed up growth.
00:06:52 Eric explains a third propagation technique: root cutting process. It has interesting advantages, you can use a big root to make a tree rather quickly but a disadvantage is that you can introduce a reverse taper into the composition.
00:08:58 Sticking the cuttings using rooting hormone. Eric demonstrates with Hormex 8. Origin of rooting hormone is actually willow branch cuttings soaked in water!
00:09:56 Dip & Stick!
00:11:23 This method leads to quick rooting and take off growing almost immediately.
00:11:48 Eric advises the next step is to put processed cuttings somewhere relatively moist, or a cool shaded environment out of any direct sun. He demonstrates covering in plastic.
00:13:01 Creating a "tiny little greenhouse".
00:14:05 Eric shares the process at a larger scale at the greenhouse.
00:14:54 Once cuttings have rooted, wait for dormancy before transplanting them.
00:15:38 Why Eric loves propagating: You get complete control over both the genetic material and the shape you're propagating!
What experiences have you had propagating Elms? Which variety do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below. Thank you for watching! Please like this video and share it with bonsai friends. If you haven't already subscribed to our channel, what are you waiting for? 😉
Setup for an Electronic Leaf misting system (note this is for reference - please make sure all parts you use are compatible!)
Electronic Leaf:www.berryhilld...
3/4" Plumbing: (all 3/4" Iron Pipe thread, beware of hose thread!)
35PSI pressure limiter: (inline-3/4")www.berryhilld...
Back flow preventer: (check valve)
www.amazon.com...
140 Mesh inline filter:www.berryhilld...
Valve: www.berryhilld...
Beyond the valve:
3/4" to 1/2" adaptor (make sure your adaptor matches the 1/2" pipe exactly since there is some variation. - .600 is the most common)www.dripworks....
More EZ loc fittings:
www.dripworks....
1/2" flex-tubing:www.berryhilld...
Fogger stems:
www.dripdepot....
Fogger Nozzle:
www.dripdepot....
You can hang the tubing any way you want, I used a 10' piece of 1/2" electrical conduit to keep it straight.The emitters are placed at 2' intervals alternating 45 degree angles. But you can get better coverage with multiple lines of them.