please help me keep my lovely elm alive..

hungkuen

hi I'm very new to this so i apologize for any stupidity..

i live in lincolnshire and i bought my first tree from a garden center which was labeled 'approx 20 years old CHINESE ELM (ZELKOVA)'..i think its not a zelkova from my research as the leaves don't seem to be pointy enough, so it must be Ulmus parvifolia, well that's what it looks like to me from the books i have red and the web pages Ive looked at..its i lovely tree i got at a good price, and it was looking really healthy, same as my girl friends seressa (bought at the same same having same probs)..

two weeks in after lots of attention some leaves have started to go yellow, i am now worried that I'm going to slowly kill my lovely tree..there is also some good healthy looking growth so i am confused..is my tree half ill??

i have it stood just away from my window so there is not to much direct sunlight..and have made sure that the soil doesn't dry out..i have been watering every 2-3 days in the evening and misting the leaves every day..

what should i do to keep my tree healthy??
would a humidity tray be a good idea??

i don't know it the leaves are getting weak from lack of proper light,
incorrect watering, or lack of humidity (humidity try?)

i bet you get people like me, with the same probs all the time, so i don't mean to bore you. but if someone could please spare me the time to help my tree have a good healthy life i would be very thankful..

i have been reading books (mostly the bonsai handbook) and looked at lots of UK bonsai sites but i think i really need someone to just tell me how it is..

Stymie

Your worries have been brought to the right place. Welcome.
My main thought is to get it outside. Its not natural to try to grow such a tree inside when you think about it. I know that some dealers sell Elm and say that they are happy indoors. It is possible to keep them inside when the right conditions can be maintained but natures way is best. I mean all the year round. Is yours planted in a freely draining medium as it should be?
You seem to have the right idea about watering. Don't overdo it. A just moist condition at all times should be your aim. Humidity trays have a place for semi-tropical items which need higher temperatures but shouldn't be necessary for yours.
Put it outside and don't do any feeding until it has been growing happily for a month. Then feed a balanced fertilizer at half the makers recommended strength at intervals of two weeks, no less.
If you would join with full membership, you will find articles on both your and your girlfriend's species in the A-Z guide. Meanwhile, be confident that you're doing the right things and come back with any further questions.

hungkuen

thanks for your advice.. i put the trees outside this morning in hope that this will help..
i will keep an eye and feed accordingly.
i still don't know if my Chinese elm is zelkova or Ulmus parvifolia..
how can i tell the diff?? i thought it was Ulmus parvifolia..but i have looked at so many pics of Ulmus parvifolia and zelkova but I'm not sure it did say Chinese elm (zelkova) on the label but how accurate this is i don't know?

and is there much diff in looking after either of these species?

Stymie

Don't worry about the difference. The care routine is the same for both elms.
Unless your girl's is a Japanese Serissa, I would think that putting it outside as well is not the way to go. They come from warmer climes than your elm. Don't forget the A-Z.

hungkuen

i think my elm is doing much better now it is out side it is starting to loose its yellow leaves and new leaves seem to be starting to bud..i think its going to be OK..but keeping close eye on it..

Stymie

Keep up the good work. Question

Is the Serissa inside again.