Hello all,
i am looking for help regarding my recently purchased bonsai. My country is not an expert on bonsais so the place i bought it from did not know the bonsai type.

Could you please let me know what bonsai this is? I think it is a Japanese Elm (Zelkova), but i am not sure. I live in a country with really hot summers so i want to care for it in the best way i can!

Thanks

I'd need a better close-up of the leaves, as it might be an ulmus parvifolia, but for now I agree it's a Zelkova Serrata.

I attach some close-up photos! I was between ulmus parvifolia or zelkova, but i found on another website how to spot the differences between the two, and so i think it is a zelkova (but i still have my doubts)!
What do you think?

Also, when watering it, do you find it a good way to soak the pot in water for 2-3 minutes? I was advised to water it that way when i was growing my last bonsai a few years ago, but some say it is not the most ideal way

I never soak pots. If I feel the soil might have turned too dry to re-wet the core (Which would be the only reqason for putting a pot in a bucket of water imho) I water with luke-warm water. This has a lower surface tension and therefor wets dry soil more easily.

wastoroua wrote:

I attach some close-up photos! I was between ulmus parvifolia or zelkova, but i found on another website how to spot the differences between the two, and so i think it is a zelkova (but i still have my doubts)!
What do you think?

I think Ulmus.

Really? Now i am really confused :/
Thanks anyway

Auk wrote:

wastoroua wrote:

I attach some close-up photos! I was between ulmus parvifolia or zelkova, but i found on another website how to spot the differences between the two, and so i think it is a zelkova (but i still have my doubts)!
What do you think?

I think Ulmus.

I think Ulmus (Chinese Elm) really because it was placed next to a rock. Commercially available Elm's do always seem to be placed next to a rock. Don't know about Zelkova's.

BonsaiMackem wrote:

I think Ulmus (Chinese Elm) really because it was placed next to a rock. Commercially available Elm's do always seem to be placed next to a rock. Don't know about Zelkova's.

LOL. The rock doesn't say anything about the tree type. I do agree though that rocks come with mallsai (not talking about root-over-rock style trees, but the unneccessary rock in the pot)

Despite looking really beautiful, it makes the pot sooo heavy, lol!
So i guess i should look at care guides for the ulmus parvifolia!

Or Zelkova