The Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is one of the most popular trees available for doing bonsai. Year after year the Chinese elm is among the top trees for producing bonsai. Experienced bonsai artists sometimes recommend this particular plant to newbies in the hobby. The Chinese elm has a reasonably predictable pattern of growth and you won't need to be a skilled pruner due to the fact this tree is rather forgiving. Additionally, the tree is slower growing and for that reason allows the beginner to learn and become familiar with training and caring for it.
In it's native environment the Chinese elm tree can grow up to 60 feet tall. Perfect for bonsai, the trees leaves are usually small. They are leathery in appearance and darkish green in color with a somewhat serrated edge. The Chinese elm is adaptable to both an indoor ecosystem or an outdoor ecosystem. It is a robust deciduous tree and will drop its leaves in the fall and spend the wintertime in a state of dormancy. If grown indoors it will stay green throughout the year.
In contrast to other elms, the Chinese Elm bonsai is not at risk of being infected with Dutch elm disease. Because of this, the Chinese Elm makes an outstanding plant for people only starting growing bonsai.
Watering Your Chinese Elm
Since most bonsai pots are quite shallow, and also the soil utilized is somewhat coarse, the soil can easily dry out rapidly. Depending on the season, whether you are growing your Chinese elm inside or outside, you might need to water your tree as often as every day. Dig down about a 1 / 2 inch into the soil; when the top 1 / 2 inch feels dry then it is time to water your bonsai. A real easy way to water your Chinese elm bonsai is to set it in a kitchen sink or container partially filled with water, making sure that the water level is just below the rim of the bonsai pot, and allow it to soak water in through the drainage holes in the base of the pot. After 5-10 minutes remove from the sink/container and allow to drain totally.
A very important factor you need to regularly be conscientious of is to never ever allow your bonsai plant get completely dry. Your bonsai plant's watering schedule is figured out through checking out the moisture level of the soil in your bonsai pot. It really is a good idea to check on the moisture level each day. If the top half inch of soil feels moist then you don't need to water yet. However, if your bonsai is in a very small pot and/or it is a hot or windy day, or if the bonsai is pot-bound, then you may have to water. If one part is dried out, you will want to water that part.
How Much Sunlight?
The Chinese elm tree is a really adaptable tree. In contrast to some hardy deciduous trees, the Chinese elm tree can be successfully grown inside. If hardened off to the cold slowly, they can drop their leaves in the fall and be considered deciduous trees, so you have a couple of options. Your Chinese elm will prosper in full sun, and lots of sun will result in the tree producing more compact leaves, that happen to be desirable with bonsai. It is crucial to be certain that the leaves are accustomed to sunlight before you position the tree in strong sunlight. If your Chinese elm has been an indoor plant it's leaves might be sunburned if left in the direct sunlight for too long. Expose the plant slowly and gradually to full sun. Good air flow is also important for the health of your Chinese elm bonsai . If you are growing your Chinese elm bonsai indoors then you must make sure it is kept in a very well ventilated area.
Some Elms come from warm parts of the world, and have never encountered cold conditions. It may damage your plant to keep these Elms too cold the first year or two. Chinese Elms may possibly drop a few leaves in the winter due to the natural decrease in light. This is to be anticipated. Even though the plant is hardy it ought to be shielded from intense cold and windy conditions to avoid harm to the tree.
Mike Andrews is an author and a devoted enthusiast of the art of bonsai. He has written additional articles relating to the Chinese elm bonsai tree on his website at http://www.myjapanesebonsai.com/chinese-elm-bonsai/. Please sign up for his FREE 7-part mini-course on how to grow miniature bonsai trees, and check out his recommended eBook "Beautiful Bonsai Secrets". Peace.
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