maroun.c
Omono
Hi all,
Just got my first Elm today. Not the most beautiful but something to hopefully be able tonkeepnalive and learn from or with (have just killed 3 olive bonsai and maybe two more on the way because of rookie soil mistakes)
So here goes the tree
First bad surprise.
The wires are still on the tree and have already went a bit in the branch. I'm guessing its fine to remove them as most probably the branches have taken shape. but will those marks heal?
Soil looks to be some sort of peat which I was told doesn't work with bonsai. yet this one has good drainage as I can see when I water. I have changed the soil (was worse) on couple of olives that were doing really bad but decided to keep the remaining olives till next june in the soil they're in. should I change soil for this one and is it urgent to change now or when can I safely do it. Its mid summer here in lebanon and temperature is around 30 degrees celsius.
and last questions, what age do you think this Elm is? does it have potential? also how do you suggest I shape it do I still allow it to go higher and create some curves in the trunk to match how it is on the lower part or let it grow straightforward? I'm considering taking out some of the leaves and branches to get the plates to get a bit more dense?
One last question there was another one in the store myabe 15 cm higher but showing much nicer roots above the sand, I chose this one as I liked the trunk better. the other one was around double the price. do you think it's a good idea to get a second Elm just for the roots difference or is it best to go for a Juniper, pine , cedar and then start getting doubles?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Just got my first Elm today. Not the most beautiful but something to hopefully be able tonkeepnalive and learn from or with (have just killed 3 olive bonsai and maybe two more on the way because of rookie soil mistakes)
So here goes the tree
First bad surprise.
The wires are still on the tree and have already went a bit in the branch. I'm guessing its fine to remove them as most probably the branches have taken shape. but will those marks heal?
Soil looks to be some sort of peat which I was told doesn't work with bonsai. yet this one has good drainage as I can see when I water. I have changed the soil (was worse) on couple of olives that were doing really bad but decided to keep the remaining olives till next june in the soil they're in. should I change soil for this one and is it urgent to change now or when can I safely do it. Its mid summer here in lebanon and temperature is around 30 degrees celsius.
and last questions, what age do you think this Elm is? does it have potential? also how do you suggest I shape it do I still allow it to go higher and create some curves in the trunk to match how it is on the lower part or let it grow straightforward? I'm considering taking out some of the leaves and branches to get the plates to get a bit more dense?
One last question there was another one in the store myabe 15 cm higher but showing much nicer roots above the sand, I chose this one as I liked the trunk better. the other one was around double the price. do you think it's a good idea to get a second Elm just for the roots difference or is it best to go for a Juniper, pine , cedar and then start getting doubles?
Thanks for any suggestions.