How to Plant Elm Trees Dug from the Wild
Transplanting elm trees is an important step in creating bonsai, but the low survival rate and high maintenance difficulty of wild old stumps deter many gardening enthusiasts. Mastering scientific digging and planting techniques, combined with meticulous seedling management, can completely bring new life to wild elm trees in containers. This article will systematically analyze the complete technical process of transplanting elms from digging timing to post-transplant care.
Core Steps for Transplanting Wild Elm Trees
Choosing the Right Time for Digging
Digging should be done during the dormant period from November to March of the following year, when the sap flow is slow, minimizing transplant damage. Operations should be performed on cloudy and rainy days with air humidity above 65%, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent tree dehydration. In the northern regions, avoid the soil freezing period, while in the south, be mindful of the risk of waterlogging during the plum rain season.
Root Treatment Standards
Retain the main root length to be ≥30cm, and keep 3-5 healthy lateral roots. Use a sharp gardening shear to make a 45° oblique cut on the wound, applying beeswax or 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for disinfection. For cuts with a diameter >2cm, seal with a healing agent to prevent bacterial invasion.
Substrate Mixing Ratio
Use a mixture of coarse river sand, red jade soil, and decomposed leaf soil in a ratio of 3:2:1 to ensure good water permeability and breathability. When potting, first place a 3-5cm layer of small stones at the bottom, then fill in the substrate, gently lift the trunk to spread the roots, and compact the soil 2cm above the original soil mark.
Key Points for Post-Transplant Care
Seedling Environment Control
Build a shade house with a 70% light-blocking rate, maintaining a temperature of 15-25°C. Use the bagging method to keep moisture: completely wrap the plant with a transparent plastic bag and open it for ventilation for 2 hours daily. Keep the potting soil moisture at 40%-50%, using the bamboo stake insertion method to check.
Water Management Techniques
No watering is allowed within the first 72 hours after transplanting, then slowly water 500-800ml of settling water along the pot edge on the 4th day. Subsequently, use atomized sprinkling, spraying twice a day (morning and evening) for 30 seconds each. After new buds sprout, switch to the "dry-wet" watering method.
Disease Prevention Measures
Spray 50% carbendazim 800 times solution weekly, focusing on the cut areas. Immediately scrape off any flowing sap and apply methyl thiophanate ointment. During the high incidence of aphids, hang yellow sticky insect boards with a spacing of 1m per piece.
After 45-60 days of careful care, when the new branches have lignified and the leaves are lush and shiny, it indicates that the elm trees have adapted to the transplant. At this point, gradually increase sunlight and transition to routine management. By mastering the three key stages of digging timing, root treatment, and seedling management, the survival rate of wild elm tree transplants can reach over 85%.