2 newbs - opinions please :)

[oojacoboo]

OK, the two of us, myself and my bonsai are new to the forums here. So, firstly, I'd like to say hey to everyone and thanks in advance for any input you might have.

I'm new to the art myself, but pretty excited. I could certainly use your advice on the best way to approach my new bonsai.

So, here is a photo...



So, she's about 10 years old, a Chinese Elm, I was told. I have a couple thoughts on this tree and I'd like your opinions on the matter...

- I was thinking of making a multi-tiered tree out of this, so you'd have a 3, 4, maybe 5 canopies. I really like that look

- I need some advice on getting the trunk thicker. I realize this takes time, but how can I get started?

- Thoughts on exposing some root structure?

- I'm thinking I probably need to repot sometime soon, I'm guessing waiting til fall might be best?

- I'm planning on keeping this in my office, indoors. I realize that it'd probably do better outdoors, but I bought this one so I could have it indoors. I run about 8-10 hours of fluorescent light per day with some indirect sunlight from the window. Would this be sufficient for light?

I think that should be enough for now, sorry for so many questions. I'd appreciate any input you might have on these particulars. Cheers!

 

[JudyB]

OK, the two of us, myself and my bonsai are new to the forums here. So, firstly, I'd like to say hey to everyone and thanks in advance for any input you might have.

I'm new to the art myself, but pretty excited. I could certainly use your advice on the best way to approach my new bonsai.

So, here is a photo...

View attachment 22863

So, she's about 10 years old, a Chinese Elm, I was told. I have a couple thoughts on this tree and I'd like your opinions on the matter...

- I was thinking of making a multi-tiered tree out of this, so you'd have a 3, 4, maybe 5 canopies. I really like that look

- I need some advice on getting the trunk thicker. I realize this takes time, but how can I get started?

- Thoughts on exposing some root structure?

- I'm thinking I probably need to repot sometime soon, I'm guessing waiting til fall might be best?

- I'm planning on keeping this in my office, indoors. I realize that it'd probably do better outdoors, but I bought this one so I could have it indoors. I run about 8-10 hours of fluorescent light per day with some indirect sunlight from the window. Would this be sufficient for light?

I think that should be enough for now, sorry for so many questions. I'd appreciate any input you might have on these particulars. Cheers!

Hi, and welcome to the forum, and the hobby!
First off, your tree needs to be outside. Trees do not grow well indoors with the exception of a very few tropical specie, like ficus. And these only in the right conditions. So place your tree outside for the summer, and depending on where you live (you should update your profile, so you can get specific answers to questions) you may be able to leave it outside all year. If you live in a colder area, you may need to give it some winter protection.

Secondly, repotting is done in the spring, not the fall. You should get a basic bonsai book and read up on the basics of potting and growing bonsai. If you want the trunk to grow larger, you may want to plant it in a training pot (a bit larger pot) or the ground, to thicken it up faster.

 

[oojacoboo]

OK, updated my profile I realize that the bonsai would do better outdoors, but that's not really an option here. I'd like to refrain from making that the basis of the discussion here too, b/c I can see how this could turn into a debate about how it should be outside. I do realize that's the best scenario and that I'm not going to see the same results with it being inside. However, outside isn't an option, so if you could offer some suggestions on how to improve the indoor scenario I'd appreciate that.

So, a training pot you say. I'll check into that, thanks. Any other suggestions on how to thicken the trunk?

 

[edprocoat]

Oojacaboo, Chinese Elms can be grown indoors just fine, many sold as Bonsai have been acclimatized that way and do very well. Its true they will grow quicker outdoors, kept indoors they are mostly evergreen, you lose a few leaves at a time with new ones replacing those you have lost while out doors they show good colors in the fall and act like the deciduos tree they are in nature, leaves turn and then drop till spring growth occurs. It looks like the standard "s" shaped tree you get from imports sold in stores from wal-mart to home depot and lowes etc. In that case it has probably just recently been placed into the pot you have it in and will go a year or two until needing repotting. Indoors keep it moist and let it mostly dry until you water it which is usually no problem as the heating and cooling we enjoy removes the moisture form the air. Just do not let it totally dry out!

There may even be some good roots right beneath the surface, I doubt it as they are not grown for roots as imports. Chinese elms are pretty resilient and can handle a lot, even repotting most times of year, especially when kept indoors. It has a nice size trunk for the height of it and its a very appealing tree to the eye, here at B-nut most everybody is into massive trunks on little trees and as such the common advice in nearly every thread is "put it in the ground" I appreciate the small trunked trees myself as much as the really fat trunked trees, its all a matter of taste. I look at it this way, if I can look at the tree and picture it on a hill or it looks like something I have either seen or could imagine it's ok in my book, although my book has not been written yet...

For what its worth I like the little tree. If you do decide to keep it outside they have really beautiful colors in the fall, my Catlin Elms which is a cultivar of the Chinese elm produced lovely bright yellow and orange colored leaves last fall after leaving it out for a cold week before my leaving to winter in Florida, it lost 90% of the leaves at once, which stressed me out thinking I had killed it, but a month in the Florida sun and it all came back green as ever. Chinese elms are slow growers too. You could not have chosen an easier to care for first Bonsai than a Chinese Elm, unless you went with a tropical!

Keep her green.

ed

 

[oojacoboo]

Cheers Ed, I had heard that the Chinese Elm was resilient and could handle being indoors, hence why I chose it. I actually bought it from a vendor off Amazon and kind of feel like I should have consulted some more seasoned vets before my purchase. But I figured for $50 and being 10 yrs old, I didn't do too bad. The typical "S" shape is a bit cliche which is why I'm hoping to do something to detract from that fact a bit.

Thanks for the comments, that's certainly helpful

 

[edprocoat]

Oojacoba, trying to detract from the "s" can be accomplished fairly easy with the tree you have by wiring that bottom branch up and making a twin trunk from it, that was my first thought when I seen your picture.
It could be accomplished easy enough and the branch would look like a continuation of the lower trunk before the curve up. I woulod also lower the top a few inches, smaller in height would make the trunk look thicker when viewing it. You may have to notch the top of the branch near the trunk before you pull it up but it will heal fine. This is a poor virtual of what I am talking about.

received_10yrs by edprocoat, on Flickr

I still think its a nice looking tree as is though.

ed

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Sorry, but I'm going to have to go against Ed on this one. Unfortunately Chinese Elm just don't do well indoors. Sure, they might do okay for the first couple of years, but after having no rest for a couple of years, the tree will slowly begin to die. You would need at least supplemental lighting in order to give this guy any kind of chance indoors. A window won't be sufficient. I don't mean to discourage you, but if you want an indoor tree I'd say go for a ficus. There are no trees made for growing indoors, but some do better than others.

Best of luck, and once again, just my .02 cents.

 

[linlaoboo]

I'd have to agree with Redwood. I've had a couple C. Elms in the past trying to keep them indoors. They do well up to 2 years and they'll become weak and die. Luckily I learned alot from a forum that point out the fact C. Elm needs winter dormancy to regain their strength. I guess you'll have to let us know in 2 years to see if you still have it. If you want to chose a true indoor tree then go with tropicals like ficus or Schefflera. Even ficuses needs to go out side for the growing season for better health.

You have a good looking tree in my eyes. The cliche S shape represents a dragon with many claws which is an imperial and royalty symbol. I have a couple ficuses like that and it allows me to shorten it by airlayering the top half off and bring up a lower branch as the new leader.