Hi, I started growing at xmas when I got a starter kit. Have 1 Canadian Maple tree at 6months old now. It spurred me on to try more and after doing a fair bit of research and preparation I got more seeds and tried more. I now have a small nursery of 10 saplings some conifer and flowering.

I recently purchased what I was told was a Zelkova from my local nursery. It was kept indoors and out direct sunlight. I didnt get any information about it, assistant wasnt much help nor was the 50 word instruction booklet. I just wondered If it was the right tree as I already have a Chinese Elm and they look very similar in shape, bark colour, leaf shape. The only differences I can see is that the Zelkova has darker leaves with a shiny sort of glaze to the top and slightly larger leaf structure. Ive had it a week a each day ive noticed about 5-6 leafs starting to turn yellow and drop off. I just wondered if this was normal or if the tree was screaming out in agony because im doing something wrong?

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This might help

www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/zelkova

I keep my zelkova outside with afternoon shade. It has been my observation that zelkova will drop inner shaded leaves when they are about to grow a new branch in that location. I leave the leaf on, because if it is pulled off you can inadvertanting pull the new bud off with it. I wait until the leaf is dried out and smash it, by pinching, and let the small stem that is left stay on the tree. That way I have less chance of damaging the new bud. Hope this helps.

Here is another care sheet

www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Zelkova.html