Turning Twigs into Trees

In this post I will show the entire growth progression of two tiny cuttings as they begin their journey to become a small tree.

These cuttings were planted here at the end of June 2016.
Chinese Elm (short leaves), Hydrangea (big leaves), and Rosemary (center).

Start out with a deep tray or shallow bin and fill it with rocks, sand, perlite, or anything else small and coarse and free draining. Put the cut ends of the cuttings under the rocks so they are touching the bottom. Experiment by putting them straight down, slanted, or horizontal. Keep the bin wet, and tip the corner up if it rains to let any excess fluid drain out. Make sure it never dries out or floods. Keep it outside.

If something digs up your cuttings overnight, mound up around it so it stay buried tight, and consider putting a protective barrier/screen around it.

Rain and critters is all you have to pay attention to. Simple.

I basically adapted my method from this video on youtube...

Once they get big enough, and summer is completely over, I gave them their own pots. I use some of the rocks they were growing in, and lots of coconut fiber, and excellent growing medium that holds moisture well.

Early October 2016

After winter ended, they finally opened their new buds.

The little runts look like they might putter out.

Good things come in small packages.

March 15, 2017

March 29, 2017

After the cherry blossoms fall, Spring will work its wonders on these little cuttings.

April 2, 2017

They are growing fast already.

April 19, 2017

Have patience.

June 11, 2017

All summer long I let these cuttings grow.

They have come a long, long way.

Sitting under the eaves of the house on the deck.

Collecting the rays of the sun.

Enjoying the shade.

Nearly forgotten.

October 10, 2017

Holy Moly!

They got bigger.

Time for a haircut.

Next?

Take a load off.

Ouch!

Not the cleanest cut.

A hand saw would have probably worked better than the root pruners I used. Elm wood is very hard for a blade to cut through.

October 25, 2017

Final Results.

Thanks for viewing my post. I hope you learned something new or enjoyed your time. I will be posting more about my bonsai tree hobby in the future.

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Until then please enjoy a bonus photo:

Indigenous tribes on traditional canoes at the Port of Olympia in 2016. Very rare cultural event I witnessed.

Read more about it here...

https://intercontinentalcry.org/paddle-nisqually-native-american-cultural-resurgence/