Edited old post - tree not looking too well (page 2)

AmyTville · White Belt Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Wirral

Hi. My name is Amy, I'm 22 years old and live on the Wirral UK. I received this bonsai as a gift about a fortnight ago. All the box stated was that it was an indoor bonsai, approximately 4 years old. From what I've read and pictures I've seen I think it could be a Chinese Elm, but being very new to this I could be completely wrong! Can anyone help identify it please?

Front -

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/AmyTville/DSC00226.jpg

Close up of the leaves -

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/AmyTville/DSC00231.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/AmyTville/DSC00223.jpg

Back -

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/AmyTville/DSC00232.jpg

I'm concerned that this little fellow Is extremely root bound as the tree lifts up all of the soil with it, even after watering. I've read that you should wait until March to re-pot, will it be OK to leave it that long? Also, what pot size should I upgrade to? Currently the one he's in is approximately 10 x 6 x 4 cm

Another thing I have read is to feed the tree weekly in the summer and monthly in the winter, is this correct? Does anybody have any suggested feeds to use, and online shops that stock it?

I would also like to know what tools are needed to care for him, and again where best to purchase them? Online is preferred as I'm currently in a wheelchair and don't get to go out as much as I'd like too.

The last thing is that I live in a flat with no garden, so keeping him outside isn't possible Sad

I'm really worried about losing him. I will be moving to somewhere with a garden eventually but it could take up to two years. Does anybody have any suggestions how best to care for him indoors?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Stymie

Hello Amy. I saw your name when you first joined and was wondering when we would hear from you. Welcome to the forum.
Your tree would do best outside but you will be able to keep it where you are for a couple of years. All your questions are answered elsewhere on here but I'll do a little summing up for you. Give it the best natural light that you can, near to a window but turn it frequently to avoid lop-sided growth. Avoid proximity to heat sources. It will be likely to keep most of its leaves over winter inside and will grow very slowly so a monthly feed of a balanced fertilizer (even figores of N.P.K.) diluted to half the strength recommended on the pack will be more than adequate. Feed less rather then more. We don't pot bonsai on into larger containers, rather back into the same pot with some free-draining medium after pruning the roots. Best done in March but if your tree is suffering it will be possible to do it before with as little stress as possible. Don't feed for at least a month after re-potting. Keep the medium just moist at all times meanwhile. Your room will be rather dry for it so try to raise the humidity round your tree by placing it on a tray of damp pebbles or gravel. The pot should not be in direct contact with water as moisture may be wicked up and eventually lead to root rot. A daily mist spray with tepid water will also help in this respect.
Specialist bonsai tools can be expensive but for one tree you can manage with a pair of nail scissors and an old dining fork for now.
Read as much as you can on here or in other bonsai articles and come back with whatever specific questions that you have. We're always here at your fingertips and ready to help. Have a look at our advertising sponsors sites and I add one here for your online needs. http://www.kaizenbonsai.com/shop/
Have fun and keep talking to us. =Don.

AmyTville · White Belt Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Wirral

Thank you for the reply Stymie, I'll do just that. Very Happy

Do you know what type my tree is?

Any advice on potting?

Stymie

I think that it may well be Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm).
There are articles on planting medium mixes and potting advice in this forum. Read them but try to be patient as a new owner because you'll have better chances of good results in March.

Surrey John

Amy - hi and welcome to BH. Stymie has said it all re advice. I just wanted to add that your leaves are a little different from those on my chinese elm, whose leaves are much more evenly oval in outline all the way round i.e. ovate. I'm not suggesting you don't have a chinese elm - I think you do - but I am interested that the leaves are different, and this makes me wonder whether there may be different strains or varieties of chinese elm.

Anyone any ideas? SJ.

kamivy

I was just thinking the same thing SJ, I havn't ever seen a chinese elm with such long oval leaves and such pronounced serrated edges. The leaves on our local chinese elms are a much shorter oval and the serrated edges much tinier.

AmyTville · White Belt Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Wirral

Thank you for the welcome and all your help everyone. I just wanted to know what type of tree it is so I can make sure I give it the correct care it needs. Do you think I should care for it as if it is a Chinese elm?

Don't worry, I am waiting until March to re-pot him. Don't want to risk losing him as I'm really quite attached Embarassed

as silly as that sounds! I find myself talking to him and everything.

canuma

The leafs have too much of a tear drop shape to be a Chinese Em, tho it does have a resemblance of an Elm. Not saying it is but the leafs have the shape of a Fukien tree.