How To Care For Your Chinese Elm Bonsai – Part I
A well liked tree for making bonsai is the Chinese elm(Ulmus parvifolia). Despite the fact that there are a lot of superb trees which they can use for bonsai, the Chinese elm is always a favorite. If you are just a novice in bonsai this can be a great choice for a first bonsai tree. The Chinese elm has a relatively predictable pattern of growth and it’s not necessary to be an expert pruner for the reason that this tree is quite forgiving. It is a slow growing tree and for that reason it allows the newbie to become familiar with looking after it and training it.
In it’s native environment the Chinese elm tree can grow up to 60 feet tall. The leaves of the Chinese elm are darker green in color, and have got a somewhat leathery appearance with blunt serrated edges. The leaves are small and so are best for bonsai. Another reason for this plant’s popularity is that it could be grown either outdoors or indoors. If grown inside it will be green year-round.
And don’t worry regarding Dutch elm disease with your Chinese elm – they aren’t at risk of the disease. For all these reasons the Chinese elm is really a fantastic subject tree for both seasoned and newbie bonsai growers.
How to Water Your Chinese Elm
Because bonsai are planted in coarse soil as well as in shallow pots they might dry out rather quickly. Depending on the season, whether you will be growing your Chinese elm inside or outside, you may need to water your tree as frequently as every day. Stick your finger into the soil to about a 1 / 2 inch deep: in case you do not feel very much moisture in the top 1 / 2 inch of the soil, then it’s time to water. A real easy way to water your chinese elm bonsai is to set it in a sink or container partially filled with water, making sure that the water level is just beneath the rim of the bonsai pot, and let it soak water in through the drainage holes in the base of the pot. Remove the pot from the water after 5-10 minutes and let it drain totally.
Keeping your bonsai plants adequately watered is one of the most crucial steps you can take to keep you bonsai living healthy. An easy way to kill it is to allow it to become totally dry. By checking out the soil level of moisture inside your bonsai pot you’ll always recognize when your plant requires watering. It is a good idea to check the moisture level each day. If the top half inch of soil feels damp then its not necessary to water yet. However, in case your bonsai is in a very small pot and/or it is a hot or breezy day, or if your bonsai is pot-bound, then you may have to water. Sometimes you may should just water one area of your bonsai pot if only one section of the soil has become dry.
How Much Sunlight?
The Chinese elm tree is a very adaptable tree. In contrast to some hardy deciduous trees, the Chinese elm tree may be successfully grown indoors. When they are acclimated, Chinese elms flourish in full sun—and lots of sun helps as well to keep the leaves smaller sized. Be sure that the plant is used to full sunlight before you leave it exposed all day. You are able to acclimate it by leaving it in the sunshine a bit longer each day. When you expose it to an excessive amount of sun too quickly you run the risk of sun burning the leaves. Your Chinese elm bonsai also must have very good air flow. If you are growing your Chinese elm indoors then you definitely must make sure it is kept in a very well ventilated area.
Your Chinese elm might not be accustomed to cold environments if it originated in a warm climate. It is probably not a good idea to keep these Elms too cold the first year or two. Chinese Elms might drop a number of leaves in the winter as a result of normal decrease in light. Don’t worry, this is normal. Even though the plant is hardy it ought to be shielded from intense cold and windy conditions to avoid damage to the tree.
