Chinese Elm - What's next?

[jacko198]

Hey folks. I am new on here and rather new to the world of Bonsai.

I got bought this chinese elm March 2016 and it has ben through various stages of life.
I would guess through lack of watering at the wrong times it seems to have lost its leaves at odd times.

At the moment it seems to have come back to life, but it rather "branchy". Alot of branches grew with leaves last year, and since then they don't seem to want to grow any new leaves. I am currently left with the below tree.

It is kept indoors as we have a flat. The problem is that we only have 2 windows so natural light is not that easy to come by, especially direct sunlight (there is plenty now as it is the summer)

Any tips of getting it back to its former glory?

 

[_#1_]

Make a ledge on your window and strap that sucker to the ledge. It's dying a slow and agonizing death as of now.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

Direct,unfiltered sunlight should help.

 

[jacko198]

I have noticed when it gets a few days of direct sunlight it starts to leaf rather well.

What would you guys say to do about the abundance of branches? Get rid of them or hope they will start developing leaves again?

 

[BethF]

You gotta get that thing outside, as per above. Send it to plant camp for the summer.

 

[RickMartin]

This tree needs to be outside. They say they can be grown indoors, and a few people can pull it off, but they have extensive grow lights and sources for providing humidity. This is the beginning of summer and if you havent turned your air conditioning on yet you will be soon. One of the main functions of a airconditioner is to remove humidity out of a building. You really need to find a place outside for the tree.

Rick

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Don't cut anything. Leave the branches. The tree needs them to recover, if it does recover. Indoors isn't optimal for trees.

 

[lordy]

My view is that the soil looks very heavy and wet. I might do an emergency repot with a good measure of pumice, otherwise the roots might rot.

 

[jacko198]

A bit of an update. I have recently bought a flat with lots of south facing Windows, lots of sun! Couldn't wait to get the tree out of the dark.

It has been a month but as you can see it is coming back to life!

It is still abit branchy in places, but going to see how it goes for the rest of the summer (what's left of it) before chopping anything off!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Great news!

(1) Let the new growth run for a bit before trimming

(2) The soil looks really wet.... when is the last time you repotted?

 

[jacko198]

Here are 2 pictures I took today. I had to leave it a week without water which didn't do it many favours.

So, as you can see from the first pictures I posted, it went through a phase of having little to no light for 2 years. Currently it gets loads and seems to be doing well. There are still a lot of branches which don't seem to grow anything so I am wondering what to do with them??
I also have never fed it, as I never really knew when to! Do you think I should re pot it?

Basically, what would you do with it next

IMG_7401

• jacko198
• Apr 2, 2017
• 1

IMG_7402

• jacko198
• Apr 2, 2017

 

[Anthony]

Jacko,

let it get lush. What you are showing is sparse for an elm.
In late spring, take it to a bonsai club and see what you can do together,
Good to see it is still around,
Good Day
Anthony

* In your avatar, plus put some sort of location --------- see the other avatars -------- for how to do.

 

[jacko198]

Thanks Anthony.

I have had it roughly 2-3 Years and have never fed it, do you think I should start, to hopefully help it grow some more? Im not sure if after 3 years there is much nutrients left in the soil!