need any advise for my new elm bonsai tree

[joshbuchan]

ok I have been reading and reading and know I am going to go and buy a elm bonsai tree of my own!!
when I get back I will post some pics of it.
if anybody could tell me any good tips for wireing it or pruning that would be great, or evan what tools I am going to need, anything really I am a right noob lol..

thanks!
Josh.

[joshbuchan]

ok so I got a 3 year Ulmus which I think is a elm.... I like it, its roots are raised and I want to put a rock under it. it was only ...£6.99.
but I can see some marks on the bottem were the wire was probly to tite, is there anything I can do about this?

also everything seems to be very wet, and the tree is very lose, do u think I should repot it??

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[Gnome]

Josh,

everything seems to be very wet

You're right it is very wet at the moment. Get yourself a bamboo kitchen skewer or chopstick or a small diameter dowel rod and insert it into soil. Find a spot where it goes in without contacting a root and plan on leaving it there. Every day remove the skewer and hold it against the underside of your wrist. If it is cool and damp the tree will not need to be watered that day.

Soil with commercially prepared bonsai (sometimes called mallsai) is notorious for being very poor quality and slow to drain, so be careful about watering too often. When you do water, water well, then wait again. Rahter than worry about wiring now concentrate of the soil and your plans, if any, for dormancy.

There have been several recent threads on Chinese Elms:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29398
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28964

Both of these owners have similar trees that were allowed to remain in the old, soggy soil for too long. Good quality bonsai soil looks nothing like the muck your tree is currently potted in.
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3422

Read over those three threads and get back to us.

Norm

EDIT: IT seems that I made an error when linking to the two threads used as examples above. The first thread should not have been cited as an example of poor soil. I was working from memory and neglected to double check that I had the correct threads. My apologies to the OP, other readers and to lms4483.

[joshbuchan]

thanks for the fast reply gnome!

ok I will go stick a chop stick into the mud.... now.

I have pulled all the moss from the pot as this will help it contain moister.

the 2 of the 3 big tree roots allmost seem like they are startng to rot... is there anything can do about this ?

would it be worth me repotting it before the winter for should I do it next spring? it will be kept in my house.

dormancy... I have not evan thought about it, what should I do??

thanks for the help.

Josh.

[Gnome]

Josh,

thanks for the fast reply gnome!

You're welcome.

I have pulled all the moss from the pot as this will help it contain moister...the 2 of the 3 big tree roots allmost seem like they are startng to rot... is there anything can do about this ?

I think removing the moss was a good idea. You can also remove a little of the soil that is creeping up the roots. Don't go too far and expose any small feeder roots you may encounter. Clean the trunk gently with an old toothbrush and finally, manage the water carefully unitl you change out the soil.

would it be worth me repotting it before the winter for should I do it next spring? it will be kept in my house.

dormancy... I have not evan thought about it, what should I do??

These two issues kind of go hand in hand as the best time to re-pot is just as the tree is emerging from dormancy. Have you read the threads I suggested earlier? The first two have the same issues you have and a lot of this was covered. Rather than repeat it all, please take the time to read them and we can go from there.

There is no point in re-potting until you have a better understanding of what modern bonsai soils are all about, this is where the third link comes in. You can re-pot Chinese Elms 'in the green' I have, but I have re-potted more than a few trees by now. Frankly, considering the condition the soil is in, I would be looking to re-pot it sooner rather than later. This assumes you will not be allowing any dormant period, if you were, I would suggest waiting it out over the next few months until it goes dormant, then re-pot after the dormancy.

Norm

[joshbuchan]

just had time to read the threads properly, ok so re-potting will have to wait till next spring, do I have to let it go dorment or can I keep it in doors to keep it growing over the winter? I could allways set up some lights and a heater if thats posibal? then I could re-pot it soon couldnt I?

I have not watered it once since I have had it and its looking in much beta shape, the exposte roots are lookings much dryer now, thanks.

I just found out theres a bonsai nursury in the other town along, like 10 mins away, might pop over on saterday and see what everythings about, might end up bring home a new baby to care for lol

[Gnome]

Josh,

ok so re-potting will have to wait till next spring, do I have to let it go dorment or can I keep it in doors to keep it growing over the winter?

It is reputed that Chinese Elms can be kept indoors with the proper care but it is not as easy as it might seem. Supplemental lighting will definitely be a plus. I have never kept one inside full time so I won't fully endorse the practice. If you are going to keep it inside then it will not experience dormancy and can be re-potted whenever you feel you are prepared.

Norm

[joshbuchan]

Supplemental lighting will definitely be a plus.

what lighting would I need? somthing uv I spose. would a cupple 24v uv strip lights do the trick?