Hello everyone! how was your weekend? Is it hot in your area? It's been around here for a long time, and that is showing a lot, especially in the trees. Some of them have stopped due to high temperatures. But it has not been the case of elm. This plant is very resistant, both to cold and heat, and only ceases its activities in winter, when its leaves have fallen.
Today we are going to talk about pinched, a job that can be done throughout the vegetative season to ensure that our future bonsai is more full of branches and, as a consequence, also leaves.
If we look at it, the branch on the left is the one that is right in the center, and therefore the main one. Normally, whenever we have a tree like this, that is, with two branches that are growing very long, at different heights, we will have to leave one that is the main one, which will serve as a guide. Is it is the only one that can have a greater development than the others, which will be shorter.
Thus, as if it were a hairdressing job, if possible, we join the two branches to see how much we have to cut, and with pruning shears we make the cut (if not, it will be enough to move away from the tree a bit, and calculate »By eye» how much to remove). The cuts must be bevelled, that is, slightly inclined.
We have it cut out. As you see, the cut has been made very close to the lower twig. Well, it is done like this for aesthetics, and also to prevent more buds from appearing on the branch that we do not want.
How to get the tree to have more foliage? As we are in full vegetative growth season, it is achieved pinching leaves.
We will remove between 1-2 pairs of leaves of each branch. It may take time, but it will be worth it in the end.
And, by the way, you can also take advantage of pay. Combining a very porous substrate and compost, we are getting the trunk to thicken it is nice to see it.
If you have any doubts, leave a comment on the blog or on social networks 🙂.
I have my first pre bonsai they told me that it is about 3 years old. I don't know how to prune it, I honestly have no idea of pruning. They gave it to me and I really liked it and I would like to keep it and learn more about this art that is beautiful indeed .. Thank you I hope you help me .. !!
Hello Natalia.
For now my advice is that you can't. First, you must learn to water it every time you need it, let the bonsai get used to your care and you to its natural cycles.
Next year then you can cut back, only if necessary, those branches that are growing too much.
I leave you this link in case it can help you to give it the care it needs.
If you have any doubts, please contact us.
Regards!