Hi there everyone,

I'm recently new to this site and already finding it very helpful and interesting. I'm just a little concerned for my bonsai and wondered if anyone would be able to help, I apologies in advance if there has already been a post similar, I've had a look but can't seem to find it (If there is please send me the link and I will check it out)

I bought a Chinese Elm last year in July from a Japanese Garden down in Cornwall. www.japanesegarden.co.uk/ link if anyone wishes to have a look.
They we're very helpful and informative, they said that my elm had just been repotted and that I didn't need to worry about it until next year (2017) if it shows signs. It's around 7 years old too.
Regarding watering purposes they said to water it every once in a while and to check the soil for when it needs watering, feeding they said to feed it a small amount of what they gave me each month. Which is what I've been doing. I've kept it in a south facing window also like instructed but I sometimes move it if it the room feels to hot as I don't want it to damage the leaves. They also said that the leaves would fall off eventually throughout its more dormant period in winter and then new leaves will from around spring/summer time - I'm hoping this is right?

My main reason why I am posting is that I don't know if I have done anything wrong at all? I have been watering and feeding as usual, and though some leaves have fallen away, they never really dis all drop and some stayed on (are they all supposed to fall and the tree is bare or do some fall, new grow and then the others fall after?) Some of the leaves did turn yellow/brownish but not fully and I thought this might have been down to possibly over watering so I held back a bit.

Though now one half on the tree has quite a few leaves and the other hardly has any,. New leaves have started to come through and some on the otherside do start to come through but then they go thin like barely into a leave and they just stop - what could be the cause of this? I am aware that my tree may need pruning and I will take a look into the other thread about this.

Also there is a small amount of like orange crystals at the base of the tree, not always there but sometimes there and it's around the sides of the pot, I've just been lightly brushing this away as I feel it should not be there but was just worried in case it was a disease or anything. (If you need pictures of it I can take some and post them up)

I am very determined and enthusiatic about my bonsai and wish to do everything I can for it so it can get to its full potential.
Any help / suggestions / knowledge is highly helpful and I apologies again if this has already been posted.

Thanks!

Emma

(P.s The photo with most leaves if from when I purchased it in July 2016 and the other are of most recent taken within the last could of months)

This is what happens when you keep a hardy species in un natural conditions. Especially in Cornwall, where it is so mild compared with the ret of the UK.
It should have been left outside and not taken in. The it would have been fine. As for watering check every day and water when almost dry, not to a schedule. It should come back but outside not in.

Hi m5eaygeoff thank you for commenting,

I got it in Cornwall but should of mentioned that I live in Sheffield back in South Yorkshire so it's no where near the same temperature as what it is down in Cornwall. Will this still make a difference with it being down in South Yorkshire?
If so I will keep it outside from now on and hopefully it will come back.

Thanks,

Emma

Ok, well you can still put it out in milder weather as it has been in warm artificial conditions and then leave it out once it is acclimatised after a few weeks.

Welcome here Emma.

Your tree is not in good shape from what pictures are telling. I dont know why, could be many reasons, experienced guys here could tell you more. While I was reading your story few things came to my mind..

- how dry is the soil before you start watering? are you watering by dunking completely in water or pouring over the soil? How many days it takes usually before you water again?
- what you mean by moving the tree when its too hot in your room? what is the average temp in your room?
- what are these thingies on top of soil? i dont think your tree really needs em, it may be just the opposite.

And also, one other thing, your tree is not yet bonsai, but its not your main problem right now. Its all in your interest and yours tree to read watch an learn as much as you can about bonsai and the tree you have.

Just put it outside. Looks like winter has left here. Do you still have frost there?
As you have a bit of a challenge keeping it alive, you might consider slipping it in a bigger pot for the year. It will be easier to keep alive. (Note: Bigger, like, a few cm. Not several times as big)

Hi spacewood, thanks for the welcome.

I have been watering it how the people at the shop advised me to do, they said to fill a small container or anything and then the place the tree in until the water just slightly covers the base (not fully in the water) and to leave for about 5 minutes until its soaked it up. I then place it back on my windowsill which is a south facing window. I check the soil my sticking my little finger in and seeing what its like under the surface and it usuall stays moist for about 2-3 days before it starts to go dry again. Though I've never let it get bone dry.

I was given some feed though I haven't fed it throughout winter which I don't if that was a good idea or now. I was just told it it would loose its leaves slightly in the winter months. It's getting a bit warmer over here now in the day times, the average is around 11 degrees and then drops down to about 5-2 at night. I haven't put it outside yet though I thought about gradually putting it outside so it can get used to the weather if its been inside if thats any good? I don't just want to put it outside and kind of shock it or anything if that makes sense?

Its like gravel that was on top of the soil when I got the plant, should I just remove it completely? I haven't thought of pruning anything yet as I've seen somewhere to let it grow a bit in spring. I don't want to cause any more damage or stress to the tree.

Thanks for commenting

Hi Leatherback,

No there isn't any frost here anymore it sometimes my be slightly cold in the evenings but there isn't any frost that's staying. It was recently re-potted last year but I will repot it if that will help it out a bit.

Thanks for your comment

Emma

EmmaTina wrote: I have been watering it how the people at the shop advised me to do, they said to fill a small container or anything and then the place the tree in until the water just slightly covers the base (not fully in the water) and to leave for about 5 minutes until its soaked it up. I then place it back on my windowsill which is a south facing window. I check the soil my sticking my little finger in and seeing what its like under the surface and it usuall stays moist for about 2-3 days before it starts to go dry again. Though I've never let it get bone dry.

Dunking the tree into water is something I personally avoid as it is very aggressive way to water your tree. At least you should have the right soil mixture with good drainage for that. I have killed my first tree which was also chinese elm watering this way. It pushes air out of soil and roots suffocate then tree dies. You may stop doing this and water your tree the normal way with pouring water over the soil till it start draining from holes on the bottom. You may mist the soil before that so it does not run out of the pot. 2-3 days watering cycle sounds a bit often to me, especially that it is indoor with this stock soil, and especially diving the tree into water. You should not water on pattern but try go on rather 4-5 days cycle, of course without letting soil dry like desert. Make sure your tree is not near heater or radiator too.

Since leatherback is suggesting to give it fresh air outside you may try that too but make sure its not getting too cold outside during the night. I dont know how good will be to put it out for the day and take it back in for the night, leatherback could tell if that works.

Good luck.

Don't water as the shop told you to. It causes too many problems.

If you put a plant out, put it out. Do not move between indoors and outdoors. Plants adjust over weeks, not hours. So choose when you put it out. And only provide shelter if there is a late frost. If you still have night frosts, you might wait a few weeks.