chinese elm

kumakibar · White Belt Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 3

This is my first bonsai it was bought as a present for Christmas.it is 3to5 years old with very twisted trunk,since I have had it i have sprayed it with water a fine mist. but it has started losing afew leaves they go yellow then fall off .Help! Sad

Stymie · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: chinese elm

Hello Kuma and welcome.
You don't tell us where you are keeping it but seeing the Union flag I hasten to mention that it should be outdoors. You may be drying it out. Soak the root ball well and then let nature take care of it outside.
Please come back with more details as asked in the top post above. Meanwhile do not feed it in any way. As young trees Elms do lose most of their leaves during winter. This is natural and they rest for a while, shooting out energetically in spring.

kumakibar · White Belt Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 3

thanks for the reply live in staffs told it was indoor bonsai it is currently in in kitchen on the window sill .I have been misting root-ball and spraying complete tree and leaves but it is very dry

Stymie · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: chinese elm

Misting is no substitute for watering my friend. It seems as though you need to dunk the whole thing pot and all in water for a while until the bubbles cease to rise then allow it to drain and when it is outside, nature will do most of the watering for you. Just make sure that it never dries out completely.
Imported trees like yours often have stones glued on to the surface to keep them in one piece during transit. If yours sports any of these, they should now be removed to allow for the free passage of water. Good luck.

kumakibar · White Belt Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 3

have dunked the tree and pot it is free draining no stones do you think i should put it in .a halfway house my unheated greenhouse first or do you think that putting straight outside is best as obviously i do not want to lose it. Can you recommend an easy indoor tree as I have a wall With Japanese samurai sword ,Paintings of geisha and one of a Samurai and want to put a shelf up to include a Bonsai. Thanks Kuma.

Stymie · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: chinese elm

The unheated greenhouse is okay for the Elm as long as the door remains open during the day to avoid over heating.

Manageable trees which will survive indoors include fig varieties (Ficus), Schefflera, Fukien tea (Ehretia buxifolia or Carmona microfilla), Sageretia theezans. In fact, anything which originates from semi-tropical climes which is not hardy to our winter conditions. Be aware that they will require the best of light and your wall doesn't sound like the ideal position. Good window proximity is essential.
I think that you might enjoy reading some bonsai literature from your local lending library before embarking on keeping any more.

Dick · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:34 am Post subject: Re: chinese elm

Hi Kumakibar,

Welcome to the forum.

The information that Stymie is givien you is excellent and it will help you a great deal to keeping your bonsai healthy.

Hope to see you here often.

alanchis · White Belt Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Bolton

Hi, Like you i got a Chinese Elm for Christmas which shows the same symptoms, ie leaves turning yellow & starting to fall. I have only watered the base trying to keep it moist.

I note Stymie says it should be kept outdoors but I've looked elsewhere on the net and found others who say it can be kept indoors or out.

I'm confused, I live in the north west of England and currently the tree is on the mantelpiece in the lounge, don't panic, we never have the gas fire lit.

Should i keep the tree indoors or out and which is the best position?

Please help, i really like my Chinese Elm and don't want to lose it.[/i]

steve · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: chinese elm

The tree really needs to be out doors. It needs to be subjected to natural light and weather cycles so that it may go dormant and rest for it's upcoming growth cycle. Since the common perception of bonsai seems to be to keep them in the house many retailers will push this idea. Your tree will live inside for a while but will eventually die from lack of dormacy.

imholte · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: chinese elm

Many people have been able to keep them alive indoors, but they are not healthy and you risk killing the tree. They belong outdoors. There are no true indoor trees. Houses are not humid enough, not proper temperature fluctuations, no dormancy period, not enough light. You can get plants to survive indoors, like ficus and other houseplants, but in their native land they grow much better and vigourous.

Stymie is very knowledgable and knows alot, so if he recommends something it is more than likely to be true and correct.

Good luck

keithmart · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject: Re: chinese elm

Hi and welcome to the site.

Let me assure you as a bonsai keeper for many years with a number of chinese elms they need to be outside as they will get weak and leggy if kept indoors.

they are 100% definately outdoor trees, and sellers who sell them as indoor trees are just hoping you will kill them and buy more!

When kept outside they may or may not lose all their leaves, but come springtime the leaves will return

Barwick Bonsai · Yellow Belt Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 125 Location: Leeds

seconded... thirded etc...

As a bonsai trader... Chinese elms are outdoor tree's, they get wrongly marketed by other traders just to make a sale.

They can be kept indoors in the right condition's but belong and thrive outside.

Andy

www.barwickbonsai.co.uk

TB420 · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:58 am Post subject: Re: chinese elm