Dear bonsai lovers,

A week ago I bought myself a bonsai from a nursery to start my bonsai journey. It is a japanse elm, normally an outside bonsai but acclimated for inside. I put on a few wires to keep the branches straight and and cut some leaves and branches.

The problem: quite some leaves are turning light green or yellowish. I wonder if I did something wrong with the pruning..

Extra info. I live in The Netherlands, temperatures are between 20-30 Celsius at the moment. It lives indoors, highest temprature indoors will reach a maximum of 25 degrees. I don't schedule the watering, I water it when it doesn't feel moist anymore. I don't let the soil go completely dry. The placement of the tree is on top of the piano which isn't a very bright spot in the house. Sometimes I move it up to the first floor in front of window to get some indirect light.

I'd really appreciate all help and advice! Thank you:)

First photo was on the day I bought it. The second was after the wiring and pruning. The rest of the photos are now.

Whoops, the photos aren't in the order I wanted. The inside photos are when I just got it. The outside photos are just now.

Hello, welcome to the empire
Since you are from Netherlands, you should await a fellow bonsai enthusiast who goes by the name AUK at your door any minute with a huge sign saying: That is NOT a bonsai.

Haha
Hmm what do you mean by, this is not a bonsai? Just wondering!

I wish to know more about bonsais and stuff like that.

Put it outside where it belongs. Take the wire off, then start to learn how to keep your plant alive and healthy. Chinese Elms (it is not Japanese) are hardy and tough and will take a lot of abuse, but there is a limit. Water when needed not to a schedule, and add some fertiliser once a month. Buy a book and read about bonsai and what it is, then start your collection and good luck.

Bruidstaart wrote: Hmm what do you mean by, this is not a bonsai? Just wondering!

I usually say "That is not a bonsai" when the plant on the picture is a young cutting in a pot that has had no bonsai training at all, when it is a common houseplant or when it is the infamous Ficus Ginseng.

Your plant is not "not a bonsai", it is a mallsai. Look it up.

Just wondering - have you ever seen a real bonsai?

Yeah, I know that it is mallsai at the moment. Didn't think about it before I bought the plant. I've seen some amazing bonsais in Asia at bonsai nurseries. That's where I got to appreciate the art!

I'm still completely new. Read some books and beginner guides, so sorry for my ignorance!