In a message dated 5/18/05 12:11:46 AM, ephman writes:
i have some american elm seeds.* i have a small bonsai pot that is 3x3x1.*

You don't tell us where you live, which would help in giving you advice.
Your pot is very small for anything like an elm tree. It is more suitable for
an accent plant.

how would i start to grow these seeds into a bonsai tree?

I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but American elm is not a particularly good
bonsai subject. You can practice on them if you like. You can plant the seeds
in the ground. They may be ready for a bonsai pot in 5 or 10 years. Meanwhile
make bonsai out of nursery or collected trees.

is this difficult for a beginner?* how do i begin?

Yes. It is much easier to start with a tree that is several years old.
Begin by going to the library and reading all the books you can find on
bonsai. Find the nearest bonsai club and join it.
There is much to read on the Web
http://www.bonsai-bsf.com/imagesatepcot2000/ulmus.html
is a picture of an American elm bonsai. I would bet it is collected, and
probably the Florida subspecies.
Iris



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On May 18, 2005, at 8:51 AM, wrote:
snip

I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but American elm is not a
particularly good
bonsai subject. You can practice on them if you like. You can plant
the seeds
in the ground. They may be ready for a bonsai pot in 5 or 10 years.
Meanwhile
make bonsai out of nursery or collected trees.
snip

Iris



Iris:
Have you tried this species for bonsai? Just wondering what your basis
is for saying this.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

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On May 18, 2005, at 8:44 PM, wrote:

In a message dated 5/18/05 9:42:37 AM, writes:

Have you tried this species for bonsai? Just wondering what your basis
is for saying this.


No, I must admit I haven't tried it personally. I have seen one or two
bonsai specimens* & a couple of pictures. I have also seen the species
itself before they died out, & a few since. For a beginner, why put
the effort into an iffy subject, when there are other elms which are
so much better?
Iris


Well, if it were the person's only tree, I'd agree it probably wouldn't
be the best subject. But why not have them experiment with the elm, and
work on something else too.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

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