I just received my first Chinese Elm today. I watered, add a Jobe fertilizer stick, and clipped and pruned back to three nodes. Is there anything else I can do to help ramification?

jebby93 wrote:

I just received my first Chinese Elm today.

And you couldn't wait...

clipped and pruned back to three nodes. Is there anything else I can do to help ramification?

Why? Learn to walk before you try to run. First learn to keep it alive.

If your fertilizer stick is one of those things that you press into the soil.. Take it out.
You want ALL the roots to have fertilizer AND you want roots in the WHOLE container. You need something that you can spread out, or include in the water to provide nutrients in the whole pot.

Then just keepo it happy and healthy. Regular pruning will enhance ramnification. time & subsequent experience will help you get more advanced in it.

I have a question I have a Chinese elm and I was trying to shape the trunk when I notice that the trunk has cracked open and I was wondering if it will be able to survive

Hard to say without a picture.

Here it is

Here is a closer one

It's fine. You'll have a small scar there that will heal up and callus over. Gotta say though, I think you've too much wire on it, and too large a gauge for the size of branch/trunk. Don't unwind, though. You'll likely do more damage if you do.
Leave it be and let it grow. If the tree swells enough where the wire starts to bite into it, use cutters to remove (i.e., don't unwind). It may stay in place. It may not. You can always wire it again later.
Good luck

Thank you I really appreciate it I'm new to this and I agree about the wire. I ordered it online so I didn't know it was going to be that big of a gauge. Thank you again for your help.

If you are serious about getting into bonsai, best get a range of sizes, 1, 2, 3, 4, (5) mm. THat way you can always use the right strength.