In my earlier report on the way to nurture your Chinese elm bonsai we talked about the right way to water your bonsai and the sunlight needs of your bonsai. In this article we'll talk about some important and vital topics such as re-potting and pruning your Chinese elm bonsai tree.
Pruning
Significant pruning should be done when the bonsai is at its most robust, in early spring to early summer. It is important to keep up with trimming when the elm is growing quickly at this time of year. Chinese elms develop good branch ramification in a relatively short time. Let as much as five brand-new sets of leaves grow out, and then cut it back to 1 or 2 nodes that are situated nearest to the main branch or trunk. How often you prune will vary depending on just how fast your tree grows and when it starts to look out-of-shape. You will need to strike a delicate balance between pruning an excessive amount from your tree so as to weaken it, and cutting enough off that it maintains a nice-looking form. Working experience can help you make that determination. Vigor is maintained using this method as this procedure is then repeated throughout the growing season.
When and How to Re-Pot Your Chinese Elm
How frequently you ought to re-pot your Chinese elm is dependent upon several factors which includes how old the tree is, the size of the tree, and what condition it's roots are in. Less mature trees typically ought to be re-potted each year until they are 4-6 years of age. After your tree has grown up to some degree, after 5-6 years, it will only need re-potting every 2-4 years, particularly if it is in a larger pot. Re-potting your bonsai provides you with a chance to prune the roots of your plant. This keeps the roots from being overcrowded, and influences new growth. The best time for you to re-pot your Chinese Elm is in the early spring months. You need to wait at least thirty days after you have pruned any of the tree's branches or new shoots, and similarly, don't prune branches or shoots fewer than thirty days after you have re-potted and pruned the tree's roots. This waiting is done as a way to minimize the amount of stress that the tree must undergo.
Pruning the Roots of Your Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree
Pruning the roots of your bonsai plant encourages the development of new roots which happens to be necessary in order for the plant to absorb the maximum amount of water and nutrients as it requires. The optimum time of year to do aggressive root pruning will be the winter or very early spring when the tree is inactive.
Root pruning will require the sacrifice of the larger sized roots in favor of the smaller ones.
Begin by delicately taking your bonsai tree out of its pot. When the plant has been removed, you must pull the roots to the outside in a radial-type pattern.
After the roots have been separated you will shorten the plants storage roots and get rid off any remaining portion of the plant's tap root. The smaller sized, finer roots are those that you wish to keep so don't cut any of these. The roots need to be trimmed all around so that the new root ball will fit into its new pot without needing to fold the long roots into it. A good rule of thumb is not to remove more than half of the length of the storage roots.
Once you have completed pruning you are able to re-pot the Chinese elm bonsai tree by putting the pruned root ball on top of the fresh new soil in the pot, adding additional soil in between the roots. Continue poking at the soil in between the roots until you can feel resistance suggesting that the voids in between the roots have been filled in with soil. After all the empty spaces have been filled up, and the soil tamped down, you'll be able to give your bonsai a drink of water. This initial watering should saturate the soil. After saturating the soil let it drain completely, then water it for a second time. This will help settle the soil around the roots.
Keep out of intense direct sunlight for 2 or 3 weeks until the roots have had an opportunity to recuperate, and don't fertilize for three to four weeks after the roots have been pruned to avoid any potential root-burn.
Bonsai is fascinating, affordable, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Click this link to learn more about growing your own amazing Chinese elm bonsai: http://www.myjapanesebonsai.com/Chinese elm bonsai. Sign up for your FREE 7-part mini-course on how to grow all kinds of miniature bonsai trees. To get started growing your own bonsai trees right away check out the essential "how-to" bonsai book, "Beautiful Bonsai Secrets" here: http://www.myjapanesebonsai.com/beautiful-bonsai-secrets/.
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