Chinese Elm problems..

[FritzW]

Hi everyone, somewhat newbie to bonsai here.
I adopted a Chinese elm in November and it grew very well until about 3 months ago.
unfortunately I kept it indoors with not enough light until about a month ago because I didn’t really know better.
It’s currently sitting outdoors in the spring sun and I care for it a lot. Meaning watering every 2-3 days and fertilizing It every 2 weeks.
unfortunately it hasn’t been growing just as well anymore and a lot of leaves are getting some points on them. (See below)
It currently develops a few tiny new shoots but I’m still really worried.
I know I made mistakes and am looking for help on how to treat it better and get it back into top health.

 

[Housguy]

Are you sure it is a Chinese elm? The leaves don't look anything like my Chinese elm, but it might be a different variety, what do I know, lol. Tree looks good, except the areas you are referring to might be bug damage. More expertise will chiming in for sure.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Sure ain't a chelm!

It'll live!

Sorce

 

[Stan Kengai]

Surprise! That's not an elm, but a privet. It looks in decent health, and these are a very vigorous plant. The biggest problem is that it did not have a dormant period, but these tend to be semi-deciduous. So that's likely not a huge issue, but the ugly leaves are likely last years leaves. You can remove thise by cutting the petiole.

I would reduce fertilizer to once a month, and be sure you're watering only when the top layer of soil has dried out a good bit. You can also remove the suckering shoots at the base to redirect energy into the tree. Good luck.

 

[FritzW]

You guys are absolutely right lol, that’s a privet. I was looking at many elms lately and kinda got confused haha

but thanks for the super quick help! Really appreciate that!

 

[FritzW]

Surprise! That's not an elm, but a privet. It looks in decent health, and these are a very vigorous plant. The biggest problem is that it did not have a dormant period, but these tend to be semi-deciduous. So that's likely not a huge issue, but the ugly leaves are likely last years leaves. You can remove thise by cutting the petiole.

I would reduce fertilizer to once a month, and be sure you're watering only when the top layer of soil has dried out a good bit. You can also remove the suckering shoots at the base to redirect energy into the tree. Good luck.

Thanks for the help! It’s a privet, you’re right lol. And I will try and cut the leaves.
good point about the shoots at the base. I’m planning on removing them and trying to grow them in a separate pot.

 

[just.wing.it]

I second the privet!

 

[Shibui]

We all need to learn to wait for the tree's natural timetable. Some trees sprout and grow early in spring, some species start growing a bit later.
As already mentioned this one looks healthy enough so no need to worry. Privet do not seem to grow a lot early but will make up for it later. I need to trim mine several times but usually well after the other trees are growing.
you can leave the sad leaves alone and the tree will take care of that when the time is right but if the look upsets you follow the advice above and snip them off. Remember that every bit of green is making food for the tree to help it grow. Removing a lot of leaves will reduce the tree's vigor for a while.