I have just purchased a Bonsai Ulmus Parvifolia, Chinese Elm. I have never had a bonsai before and have 2 questions.

- I have kept the bonsai indoors since purchasing 2 weeks ago and within the first week the leaves have started to yellow and fall off. I soaked the soil, so soil is now moist, but I wouldn't say over wet, but leaves are still yellowing and falling off. Any advice on whether I should be worried or be doing anything else - I have now moved the bonsai outdoors.

- I have noticed some small white worms appearing from the soil (which is also why I have moved outside (see attached picture). Does anyone know what these are. Are they harmful and do I need to treat with anything?

Many thanks for any advice.

Nasty. I can't tell from the picture, but they might be gnat larvae. Definitely not an earthworm. Your soil is probably too organic, you could have been overwatering and/or overfeeding.

They might be hurting your roots.

It would be helpful to know what species it is before doing anything.

Is the worm that big white thing in the picture? If it is then it is probably a type of grub, or beetle larva. and you defiantly get those out. Depending on the type of beetle you are nursing under that tree of yours, it is either eating the roots or eating the rotten decaying roots. either of which doesn't sound too good.

Bonsai wrote:

I soaked the soil, so soil is now moist

"Fungus gnats are typically harmless to healthy plants - [...] the presence of fungus gnats may indicate overwatering; they may be feeding on roots that have been immersed water too long "

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus_gnat

I have the same in my Chinese Elm, they do look exactly the same. I've attached a photo of it, it is just in the middles and quite small because it is partly under the soil.

Im wondering if anyone who's a way to get rid of them, preferably without repotting or going through the soil.

Thanks

NathanH wrote:

Im wondering if anyone who's a way to get rid of them, preferably without repotting or going through the soil.

Seems the answer was already given.

Where?

Right above your previous post.

I suggest getting some "nemotodes" or something like that.... I used them, the come in a little packet the looks like dust. Put it in water and put it in the soil, they get inside the bugs and kill them or something like that... it seemed to work for me.