Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Cultivation => Cultivation Problems => Topic started by: mark smyth on November 05, 2011, 03:22:47 PM

Title: Chinese elm
Post by: mark smyth on November 05, 2011, 03:22:47 PM
I received a Chinese elm 'bonsai' yesterday as a gift. What am I going to do with it?
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: Maggi Young on November 05, 2011, 06:27:40 PM
 You can keep it outside or in a cold glasshouse. If there is a mild winter with lots of sun it might keep its leaves. Make sure it gets a good soaking, plants are often dehydrated in transit or display.
I''d suggest  the glasshouse for winter and the summer out of dooors when it leaves up well. Should look natty sitting on the patio.

 Went to check the best time for pruning it  (in the absence of the BD - a bit of a Bonsai Despot in his time!))and found this neat little article, which seems sensible:
http://www.greendragonbonsai.co.uk/chinese%20elm%20care%20guide.htm
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: mark smyth on November 05, 2011, 07:09:22 PM
Thanks. I can see all the leaves around it in a few weeks.

Unheated greenhouse?
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: mark smyth on November 05, 2011, 07:15:59 PM
unheated is great. I can dump set it on a sand plunge in the greenhouse for the winter.
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: Maggi Young on November 05, 2011, 07:20:52 PM
that'll be fine.
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 05, 2011, 09:27:38 PM
I received a Chinese elm 'bonsai' yesterday as a gift. What am I going to do with it?

Start a bonsai collection. ;D
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: ArnoldT on November 05, 2011, 09:43:35 PM
The Ulmus parvifolia around here is easily damaged by winds and ice collecting on branches.

I think it is know to form weak crouch angles.

Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: astragalus on November 06, 2011, 04:10:55 PM
Arnold, the same thing is true here but it has proved to be hardy, surprisingly.  On the other hand, we haven't had normally really cold winters for a while.  The tree is so densely twiggy that unfortunately you can do damage even while gently brushing off snow.  This last storm did a lot of damahe.
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: astragalus on November 06, 2011, 04:14:16 PM
Oops, forgot the sad pictures
Title: Re: Chinese elm
Post by: mark smyth on November 06, 2011, 06:49:26 PM
I think I will pot on this twisted bonsai and let it grow in to a small tree
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