I hope the original poster won't mind if I add to the conversation. You see I'm in much the same boat.
No offense taken, but clearly the words of an avid artist!
As one totally new to this forum and the world of Bonsai I was wondering if you wouldn't mind expanding on the subject ever so slightly. You see I am an expert in my own little hobby world of growing hard coral and know the value of an informed opinion, but my dilemma is that I was given an "indoor" bonsai tree for Christmas and as a lover of all things alive I plan on trying my darndest to keep this little tree alive and perhaps even thriving if that is possible . . . so with that in mind here are my questions:
1) Is growing a Bonsai Tree "indoors" truly impossible?
2) Does artificial light make a difference if such light is adequate?
3) If you were in my shoes would you simply throw the tree away?
4) Would a dual 400 watt metal halide fixture with 4 T5 lamps be an adequate light?
And here is some background information on my personal situation.
I believe the tree is an Ulmus Parvifolia. I have had it since Christmas day. It has lost about a fifth of it's foliage maybe a little less. I am using the "chopstick method" to check soil moisture and watering when needed to keep the lower level moist. I have ordered a humidity tray. It gets about 8 to 9 hours of near direct light per day (at least 'til spring when the trees get leaves, but then I can move it outdoors). The room stays 65 degrees plus or minus a couple degrees.
So basically there it is . . .
Keep the tree and make a go of it, or just pack it in now and try an outdoor locally grown tree at a later date?
Thanks for any and all thoughts on the topic.
and just for grins here's a photo of my aquarium . . .
Hi Joe,
Your aquarium looks great, and your photography really highlights it. If you are active on the salt-water aquarium forums, you probably already know that forums in general are full of opinions and egos, and it is often difficult to sort the good advice from the bad. It is the same here, and it's even more complicated by the different locations and environments of the members, so what works for someone in California is not always applicable for someone in NY. That being said, I'll do my best to answer your questions:
1) Is growing a Bonsai Tree "indoors" truly impossible?
Yes. It is impossible to grow a show-quality bonsai tree indoors, year-round. It could be done in a temperature controlled greenhouse with proper light and humidity controls etc., but that is so far above and beyond the average hobbyist that you should put that thought from your head. Such a set-up would require so much time, expense, effort, and space, and the constant maintenance would turn you into more of an "indoor growing" hobbyist than a true bonsai artist.
2) Does artificial light make a difference if such light is adequate?
In NY, your Ulmus Parvifolia or Chinese elm should be deciduous, meaning that it will lose its leaves in the winter and go dormant until the spring. When it has no leaves, it doesn't need any light until it's time to wake up. Ideally, you would keep it outdoors until leaf drop in the fall, and then move it into an unheated garage/shed/closet/greenhouse/coldframe until spring. The exact timing of the move indoors and then back out is all dependent on the temps and conditions in your area. If you keep it indoors year-round, it will not lose it's leaves in the fall, and will essentially act like a tropical plant, growing all the time. If this is the route you choose, then yes, artificial light as a supplement will help it grow, but it will never be a good bonsai.
3) If you were in my shoes would you simply throw the tree away?
No way! I don't know your circumstances, but I'm sure you could probably find a way to grow it properly. Chinese elm is an awesome starter tree, and you can eventually keep it alongside your "better" trees later. Even if you just really, really have to keep it indoors, I'd still probably try and grow it and keep it alive, but temper your expectations significantly. That tree deserves to be outside in the sun and wind in the summer, getting a good shower from the hose, with a good full watering, water coming on down through the drain-holes, good fertilizer soak, and nice tight little green leaves and canopy. They die a slow death indoors, with long but strong shoots, over-sized and sparse leaves, little bugs in the soil, rapidly declining shape, ugh it makes me cringe. It's an uphill battle that will drive you away from bonsai after awhile.
4) Would a dual 400 watt metal halide fixture with 4 T5 lamps be an adequate light?
I'm not a light expert, but can tell you that no matter how much light you have, there is no way you can control the rest of the environment in a way to grow that tree properly indoors. Also, I would abandon the "chopstick method" for watering that many recommend and just water it fully and completely when it needs it. You cannot leave it on the windowsill when watering it, because a proper watering will result in a lot of water streaming out of the drain holes. Watering a tree gives it the oxygen it needs, and you should never skimp on the water.
I hope that helps a bit, and good luck with your tree. If I can clarify anything I said or if you have any other questions just let me know. FYI I have a Chinese elm as well, and it is outdoors right now, and was outdoors on the ground last night as it dipped down into the mid 20's.
Ross