The Chinese Elm is not a plant that can handle prolonged droughts or constant moisture. You need to provide plenty of fertilizer for your Chinese Elm Bonsai.
Continue reading to learn more about the right ways for Chinese Elm Bonsai Care.
Caring for Your Chinese Elm Bonsai
Ulmus parvifolia, the Chinese elm or lacebark tree, is a species native to eastern Asia and can be found in mainland China as well other parts of the East Asian continent such as Japan , North Korea, South Korea and Vietnam.
The Chinese Elm is a beautiful and majestic tree, with an elegant appearance that has been compared to the American elm.
The Elm is a common species sold as indoor bonsai, but it can also thrive outdoors. The Chinese Elm is a beautiful and valuable plant that likes to be kept cool. It needs lots of natural light, so it can be placed on your window or near one for optimal growth!
The Guidelines to Care for Your Chinese Elm Bonsai
When it comes to caring for a Chinese Elm bonsai, their needs are pretty simple. Water when the bonsai is in the growing season and good drainage will result in a healthy and happy bonsai plant.
Here are some major points to take:
- Propagation
- Watering
- Fertilizing
- Repotting
- Placement
- Pests and Diseases
- Pruning and Wiring
Propagation of a Chinese Elm Bonsai
Chinese Elm bonsai trees are easily propagated by leaf cuttings. From late spring until early summer, cut off a branch on the Chinese elm and let it sit for a few days to callous over. Then just stick it straight into your soil mix and keep moist. It should root in weeks.
Root cuttings are also successful, but it’s more difficult to do. You’ll need a long twig with leaves on the end and you’ll have to put it directly into the ground. Be patient, it could take a year for your cutting to start growing.
Once your tree has started growing, you can begin training it into the bonsai shape you desire. Just be careful not to over-prune; the Chinese elm is a slow grower and it can be difficult to undo mistakes. Consult a bonsai book to see how to prune your Chinese elm or ask an experienced bonsai grower.
The variety of colors and shapes of the leaves on this plant makes it a favorite for bonsai growers. It’s easy, attractive and long lasting; what’s not to love?
Watering Your Chinese Elm Bonsai
You want your soil mix to be moist at all times without being wet or soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid getting the leaves wet as this can lead to leaf diseases. If you are in doubt, the best rule is to let the soil dry out slightly before watering again.
Watering thoroughly in summer can be done by setting your bonsai pot into a larger saucer of water. The water will quickly wick up into the soil and if your pot has good drainage holes it should not matter how deep the pot is set into the water. Keep a close eye on your pot, however, and remove it from the water as soon as the top of the soil feels wet.
Fertilizing Your Chinese Elm Bonsai
You can fertilize your bonsai with a liquid or soluble fertilizer every two weeks during its growing season. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package.
In the winter, you can fertilize your bonsai with a slow release fertilizer. This type of fertilizer is usually available as a pellet or tablet that you can place in the soil. Follow the instructions on the package for how to use it.
If you’re not sure whether or not you need to fertilize your bonsai, you can take a little soil from the pot and place it in a clear plastic bag. Put about an inch of water in with the soil. If you see bubbles forming on the surface of the soil it means there are still active bacteria in the soil that are releasing oxygen into the water.
Bonsai trees live a long time, even hundreds of years if maintained properly. You can help your bonsai tree to have a long and healthy life by fertilizing it regularly and keeping it in the right conditions.
Repotting Your Chinese Elm Bonsai
The best time to repot your bonsai is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. You’ll want to use a soil mix that is specifically for bonsais. When potting up your tree, be sure not to pack the soil down too tightly. Apply a layer of moss to the top of the soil to help retain moisture.
After repotting, give your tree a good watering and keep it in a shady spot for a few weeks until new growth begins. Once new growth appears, you can move your tree into a sunny location.
Your Chinese elm bonsai will need to be repotted every 2-3 years, depending on the size of the pot.
Placement of Your Chinese Elm Bonsai
Bad placement can cause your bonsai to not thrive. The best place for your tree is in an area that gets good sunlight (but not direct sun), and has good air circulation. Make sure the tree is in a cool area, but avoid drafty locations.
Unfortunately it’s not always possible to give your bonsai full sun, and in some cases you want to make sure that your plant isn’t getting too much sun or cold air. One rule of thumb for this is if the temperature on the porch where the tree is is colder than the inside of your home, then it’s probably too cold.
If possible, put the tree in a southern exposure with protection from direct sunlight during the hottest times of day. Facing west will give you full morning and afternoon sun, with only late day/evening sun being blocked by something else. If you can’t do this, then east facing will give you morning sun and afternoon shade.
North facing is not as desirable because it doesn’t get a lot of sunlight.
Pests and Diseases of a Chinese Elm Bonsai
The most common pests and diseases of a Chinese Elm bonsai are leaf spot, brown blight and spider mites. You can control pest outbreaks with a good insecticide or fungicide. Try to water the bonsai from the bottom by placing it in a tray of water for a few minutes. This will help to keep the leaves and branches dry and reduce the incidence of disease.
Leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes small, dark spots on the leaves. The spots may enlarge and merge, and the leaves may eventually fall off. Brown blight is a fungal disease that causes brown patches on the leaves. The patches may enlarge and the leaves may eventually fall off. Spider mites are tiny, spider-like creatures that suck sap from the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and die.
If you notice any of these pests or diseases on your Chinese Elm bonsai, take action right away to control them. With a little care and maintenance, your bonsai should remain healthy and pest-free.
Pruning and Wiring Your Chinese Elm Bonsai
Trim back your Chinese Elms to remove leaves, branches and unwanted sprouts. Wire can be used on your bonsai to create interesting branch patterns. Wiring should be done when the tree is actively growing. Be careful not to wire too tightly, as you may damage the bark. Remove the wire before winter.
You can also use pruning and wiring to create a desired shape for your bonsai. When shaping your Chinese Elm, try to maintain its natural look. It is alright to bend or twist a branch into the desired shape, but do not cut. If you must remove a branch, cut at least 2 nodes above where it meets another branch.
Be sure to prune away any unattractive shoots along your bonsai’s trunk. You can also pinch back all the new growth once a year. This will encourage your Chinese Elm to grow thicker branches and leaves.
Remember, with attentive maintenance, the Chinese Elm bonsai should last a long time!
Conclusion
The Chinese Elm Bonsai is a beautiful and popular tree for bonsai enthusiasts. With proper care, your Chinese Elm should live for years!
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