Hi all,

I am new to this forum and new to bonsai empire. I have always wanted to get started and my friend gave me a gift as a beginners stone in this realm. But the tree is dying so I need help. Friend said it was a Zelkova but looking at the pictures I don't think it looks like one. It looks more like a Chinese Elm.

I got the tree 1 month ago and its leaves are dried up about two weeks ago. As you can see from the picture there is not a change in color(except from lively green to grayish green) but they are all drooping and if you touch one, it just falls of.

I have been watering it regularly (once in a two day). It is located by the window. Window sees north-east since my apartment doesn't face south I located it so that it sees most sunlight.

It is winter where I live but I kept it inside around 18-25 degree (Celsius).

Also I have two cats and I can only open windows to freshen up the indoor air 2-3 times a week for short amounts of time so fresh air could be a problem too.

So what can I do to keep my little friend alive? How should I attend to it?

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

This a so called chinese pepper tree. They need lots of light, heat and a very humid air. A normal living room is not really suitable.

There should be a law against selling these planta. Hardly anyone manages to keep these alive. You will need to creat a environment that is warm and has very moist air for it to do well. Thinj, enclosong in an aquarium.