Can I save my 40-Year-Old Chinese Elm Bonsai? (Part 3)

[@notionbonsai]

Oh wow thats a huge chinese elm! Beautiful tree Xavier! Lovely repot and great pruning decisions! I'm really looking forward to seeing your deadwood carving!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Adam - I look forward to seeing what you think of my answer to my dying Corkbark Elm next week :)

[@TonysBonsai]

Nice job mate. I really like that deadwood, and if you can make it a little lighter and not so chunky, it will look amazing.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That is definitely my plan and I want to go a blowtorch into it as well - Ive never used that technique before. It was just too wet to attempt it right now.

[@joycefleming4986]

I really like both branches Xavier, I think you made the right decision in keeping both of them. I'm looking forward to seeing this tree develop into the future.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thank you for that Joyce. I am hoping that the deadwood when complete will really add age to the tree too.

[@phillipwaterman5721]

Nice shape tree deadwood will be beautiful thanks xavier keep up the good work mate

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Phillip - I hope when I have finishsed with the deadwood it will look like a naturally very old tree on its last legs...a bit like me :)

[@mchlbk]

A lot of potential in that one Xav.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is finding it's own way as each time i look and style it I get a clearer view of what I want it to become. Definitely a fun journey ahead :)

[@tacobonsai]

I like your decision. It turned out really really good. I look forwards to the carving. fingers crossed that it thrives in the meantime. Matt's root hooks are actually really amazing. I was blown away the first time I used mine.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I never thought that the corkscrew design he used would be so effective on mine. It seems to naturally untangle without ripping. :)

[@maryweber4176]

Nice tree. Looks like an alien emerging from the top

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I suppose it does Mary. It now looks like a bird totem pole :)

[@bobcatbonsai]

Nice option Xavier! The dead look is pretty awesome on this tree I can't wait to see were you go next with this tree!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Probably the bonfire :)

[@bobcatbonsai]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat 🤣🤣🤣

[@nwilliams1540]

I love it and think it will turn out looking great with the dead trunk top.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I just need to get my industrial flamethrower onto it first :)

[@guysolis5843]

Haha! "Dudley Do Right! Interesting specimen...can't wait to see the rest of the video. I think like you do. I don't have time to wait, certainly waiting on seeds to mature is out of the question..The end of this video changed how I look at trees. I hope you plan to broadcast your carving...that would make an interesting finale! Cheers!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Most definitely will be doing that Guy as I will be using the burning method for the first time...apart from what I did on bonfire night :)

[@oachkatzlsmum]

So happy, that you’ve NOT taken my advice and just chopped off all the dead stuff. 😂 Watched the Elm-Video again 2 weeks ago, saw the comments on dead-wood and thought (😉) that this would be a perfect solution for this tree - to become a very special one. So in my opinion you‘ve chosen very wisely Xavier. ❤😄And I‘m perfectly inspired 😄👍🙋‍♀️

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thannks martina - we shall see how the deadwood work goes later on in the year before a final decision. But it hink once it is thinned down and burnt a bit it will look pretty good :)

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Looking forward to see what else you do with this! Or what else subscribers tell you to do with this...

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Deadwood city with Calamity later in the year :)

[@gerardoforesthillsbonsai]

Great work Xav 👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Gerardo

[@joegarland4885]

Hi Xav I feel you have taken the best option with it you leave yourself options, I have started using sphagnum moss it seems to help, I tend to put in the bottom of the pot as a first layer having chopped it first I thing you have the makings of a nice C Elm, the pot brings back memories 25 years ago when I left work the staff bought a set of them as a leaving present, they are very strong pots the tress I had in them were sold about 15 years ago so non left now, they make good recovery pots as you are using it for. Stay good mate.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks for that Joe. Let's see if you agree with what I have done to my Dying Corkbark Elm next week :)

[@gloriablanco7856]

Thank you.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

thanks for watching Gloria

[@aden8]

Gaya bonsai yang sangat bagus dan menginspirasi sekali

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Terima kasih dan selalu membantu menggunakan saran dari orang lain

[@sharonbuckley4591]

Nice to see and hear your thinking process on what and nottodo. I struggle with design decisions as I’m not really artistic that way. Better with a hammer and saw. ☺

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I have used many hammers and saws on my bonsai in the past! I think you have to just keep trying things and watching others. It took me a good few years before I actually started to see the possiblities and even now it is viewers that are still helping me see the way ahead.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

***** SPOILER ALERT ***** That looks great at the end when you show the front view. Just need to chop that upright pointy bit. 😆

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

What and lose the opportunity for another video doing deadwood carving😁

[@greenmachinesweden]

Great choice Xav. 🙂👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Magnus - I just need to see how good the deadwood will look once prepared later in the years :)

[@dreamingofbonsai]

It looks great! I have a couple Chinese elms and hope they grow nice and strong like this in the future!!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

They are a pretty robust tree so I am sure both will flourish nicely over the years :)

[@robertscarborough68]

Wonderful video Xav 😀 it reminds me of an old English oak that's been hit by lightning, I would love to rip apart that dead stump...

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

It is amazing how many trees you see scarred in our countryside. Feel free to drop in with your drill and hammer :)

[@robertscarborough68]

I was thinking more a blow torch,a few snaps, pulls and twists her and there

[@KennetDeBondt]

I wonder if the angle is right when I look at this rootbase... could change the whole design. Grts Kennet

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I am definitely taking this forward as a semi cascade and reducing all of that deadwood I mucked about with last year :)

[@mikegrayleeds]

Beautiful work mate. You said you haven't got four or five years? Hope all is well bud 👊🏻

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I wasn't even thinking how that would come across when i said it - very light hearted. Its only when i looked at it again that I realsied how poorly that could come across. Thanks for enquiring Mike - I am fine...i think :)

[@mikegrayleeds]

@@XaviersBonsaiRetreat good to hear mate! 🌳⭐

[@GrowingBonsai]

👌

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

The Jelle sign of approval :)

[@judlpd]

Why did the top die? Is there another video about it? Thanks.

[@oachkatzlsmum]

There is a short Video: Large Chinese Elm Bonsai needs urgent help. Released 24.02.2023

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

HI Richard there is a couple of videos about the heat of last summer and how they hit three of my trees really hard. The link to the video is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKbKiJVmpNRoZ6s Hope this helps, cheers

[@judlpd]

Thanks - I see. You mentioned eBay sales - how do we find you on eBay?

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

@@judlpd I dont have a shop but I will let people know when I am going to put trees on. (I only do this once or twice a year) However, if you are looking for anything or see something then just send me an email and I can see what we can do. better still, pay me a visit and I am sure you wille nd upw ith some cuttings too :)

[@Candice.BonsaiScience]

Great work Xav❤ It’s funny how the original looks like my bigger ones twin. I love the flow and design your going with❤

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Thanks Candice. It is just mad that i didnt see that great movement low in the trunk until you mentioned airlayer 😉