Emma's Ulmus

emmaaston1 · White Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Meath

Photos for my carmona, which I thought was recovering, but now I fear the worst again, can be seen at

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b299/Emmaaston1/

I know the potting medium is not ideal and looks bad, but its what it came in. Think drainage is an issue as a result. Water never drains out of the bottom of the pot. And I know I really need to trim it, but didn't want to until I knew it was on the mend.

Stymie · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: Emma's Ulmus

Emma.
Sorry to tell you that is not Carmona. It might be an Elm which should be grown outside. Can we have a leaf in focus close up?

emorrin · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Poorly Bonsai - help please!

I guess I should have looked at it closer and paid attention to what Don said before I posted earlier about Fukien Tea information. This is not a Fukien Tea. It is very apparent by your close up pictures of the leaves on picture "Carmona5". This is a Chinese Elm. The care of this plant is close to a fukien tea but it is more an outdoor plant and needs a winter dormancy period.

What are the temperatures where you are at? If it is over 15C outside then bring it outside. If it drops below 15C, bring it in at night. Usually Chinese Elms can handle the cold up to around -3C before any damage is done, but since you tree has been inside, it is not acclimatized to the cold.

A re pot would probably be a good idea as well if the current medium isn't good. One good thing about Chinese elms is they are more resilient then Fukien Tea so that is a plus. To me, it looks like it needs some sun, better potting medium, and a good winters rest come next winter. Whatever you do, don't fertilize until it starts looking healthier.

Here is some additional information on Chinese Elms:

http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/elm.html

emmaaston1 · White Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Meath

Oh my god - I had my suspicions when Don told me before that I was wrong in saying Carmona Macrophylla, that it was Microphylla, but the label that was on it when I bought it said Carmona Macrophylla. Ok thanks everyone for the update. Embarassed

Glad I got pics up at last.

I've been keeping it inside on a sunny windowsill and inside the temp is more than 15c during the day but less at night. Outside we haven't reached 15c I think yet this year and its still frosty some nights.

Have added some pics - 4, 5 & 6 are ones I took today and the rest were about a week ago. http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b299/Emmaaston1/

A lot of the leaves are the new growth and are bigger than the original ones were. The leaves have gotten greener since I moved it to a brighter place but not as green as they were.

When is a good time to re-pot an elm? The soil seems to be mostly compost and water never drains out of the bottom when I water it.

emmaaston1 · White Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Meath

Just re-reading the posts there - think I might have confused the issue by hi-jacking Koane's thread - I posted a thread about two weeks ago about being a new Carmona owner.

Emorrin - you were advising Koane correctly! And I haven't given it any fertilizer since I got it. Will add a pics of the potting medium close up too. Thanks for your advice.

Don - I added a picture of a leaf close up - but it is from bad growth. Thank you too.

Stymie · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: Emma's Ulmus

Emma.
There is no doubt about it being Elm now. The size of leaf getting larger and the distance between them also, indicates that it is trying desperately to reach any available light. It can only get enough light when outside. Don't worry about it being tender. Mine have been outside right through the winter and have experienced -6C without trouble.
Now would be an appropriate time for a re-pot.

emorrin · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:27 am Post subject: Re: Poorly Bonsai - help please!

Don,

Wouldn't putting it straight outside into the cold when it is accustomed to regular house room temperature cause a little stress on it? I would be a little apprehensive if frost was called for at night. One thing for sure is the Chinese Elm is very forgiving. Maybe I just like to be on the cautious side.

Stymie · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:29 am Post subject: Re: Emma's Ulmus

Caution is a desireous attribute which is never misplaced but by April in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere it should be okay outside for temperate trees by gum! This is the Elm, not the original subject of Carmona of course.

emmaaston1 · White Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Meath

Right so I'm just going to have to jump straight in here really eh?

Checked the forecast for tomorrow and it should be nice - might reach 14c in places and should be bright and dry, I'll put my elm outside in the morning and hope for the best.

And at the weekend I'll buy some cat-litter and grit and go for the repotting. Wow - I was hoping i'd get away with not having to do that for a while because I don't really know what I'm doing! Have read the articles on the site - guess I'm just nervous about it...

Thanks again everyone.

Stymie · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Emma's Ulmus

Emma, I had to split this part of the thread for you. Your Elm and the Carmona of Kaone were getting mixed up.

emmaaston1 · White Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Meath

Hi Stymie, thanks and sorry for the confusion!