Hi All,

New to this forum, and relatively new to Bonsai. Hopefully I am not alone in this moment of daftness...

Pruning my Chinese Elm, got carried away and lopped off a branch at the back that was at a really artificial angle. Only when I turned it around did I realise that this was to fill a space and now there are no branches on most of left side of tree...

After Google'ing the issue - the only thing I could find was a method to drill through tree and loop a growing branch through so it 'grafts' which feels a but excessive and quite brutal for a narrow tree. Are there anyways to encourage branch growth in particular space on trunk - cutting a nick and dropping on some hormones or something..? Even with harsh pruning I would think back budding on the trunk will be unlikely...

Any thoughts or comments welcome - even if its just LOLs at my newbie stupidity...

Cheers

I think that in most cases, brachnes will sprout in places where sunlight hits. I would give it a bit of time. But it depends on the species too.
Perhaps you can post a picture so we have some idea what we are talking about.

Good point about sunlight - might just need to prop it at an angle.

Picture attached - note most of the left side, and now the rear, devoid of branches... Its looking a bit sparse after a harsh pruning to try and encourage growth...

Its only a mass produced Chinese Elm, but it was a present, and closest thing to a 'proper' bonsai, as all my others are seedlings or experiments...

This is the sort of plant that will sprout leaves EVERYWHERE when it uis healthy.

Focus on health. Let it grow. Then trim bach strongly and it will burst with buds.

Did you see this thread? You might want to join in:
www.bonsaiempire.com/forum/general/11609...mus-bonsai-challenge