New tree?

[AlboDean]

Hi all,

I am completely new to Bonsai and bought my first tree, a Chinese elm, a few weeks ago from a local specialist.

In the past week or so I have noticed a new growth sprouting from the soil, is this a new tree growing?

Sorry for any stupid wording, as I said I’m completely new!

Cheers,

Alex

 

[August44]

I would say that is a sucker from the root system. Cut at root would be my suggestion.

 

[AlboDean]

I would say that is a sucker from the root system. Cut at root would be my suggestion.

Cheers Peter! Thanks for the advice

 

[Shibui]

Looks like a new elm growing from a root. Chinese elm grow very well from pieces of root. I guess this tree was recently root pruned and some sections of root have been cut but left in the pot. You may be able to follow the new stem down and remove the piece of root so you have 2 trees. I can't see the top of the tree but assume it is still dormant so removing it from the pot should not hurt and you can extract that root more easily but as you are a beginner that may be a bit daunting so you could also leave it to grow this year and get it out next spring.
From experience, if it is from a cut root, it will grow again if you just cut it off. You may need to persist for many months to stop it completely.

 

[AlboDean]

Looks like a new elm growing from a root. Chinese elm grow very well from pieces of root. I guess this tree was recently root pruned and some sections of root have been cut but left in the pot. You may be able to follow the new stem down and remove the piece of root so you have 2 trees. I can't see the top of the tree but assume it is still dormant so removing it from the pot should not hurt and you can extract that root more easily but as you are a beginner that may be a bit daunting so you could also leave it to grow this year and get it out next spring.
From experience, if it is from a cut root, it will grow again if you just cut it off. You may need to persist for many months to stop it completely.

Thanks Shibui! Sorry about the picture, I’ve attached a new one of the whole tree. Is this dormant?

 

[Shibui]

I can see a few small new shoots growing so it is coming out of dormancy. Chinese elm often only lose the leaves in very cold climates. Over here they can be evergreen and further north they don't really seem to go dormant at all so Brisbane growers have learnt that they can repot and root prune Chinese elm any time of year whether they are growing or not.
You have not included a location on your profile so it is much harder to give relevant advice on timing having no idea what your climate is like. I can only assume you are northern hemisphere as this tree looks like just coming into spring now.

I note that photos are indoors. Some growers can manage Chinese elm indoors but most have difficulty with light and humidity levels. I think outside in sun is best for most trees provided your climate allows it.

 

[AlboDean]

I can see a few small new shoots growing so it is coming out of dormancy. Chinese elm often only lose the leaves in very cold climates. Over here they can be evergreen and further north they don't really seem to go dormant at all so Brisbane growers have learnt that they can repot and root prune Chinese elm any time of year whether they are growing or not.
You have not included a location on your profile so it is much harder to give relevant advice on timing having no idea what your climate is like. I can only assume you are northern hemisphere as this tree looks like just coming into spring now.

I note that photos are indoors. Some growers can manage Chinese elm indoors but most have difficulty with light and humidity levels. I think outside in sun is best for most trees provided your climate allows it.

Yes, plenty of new shoots coming through. I’ve had to prune quite abit since getting the tree a few weeks ago.

I’m in the U.K., sorry again for the lack of information.

I asked the owner of the nursery for an indoor tree that is good for beginners and the Chinese elm was what they suggested. What signs should I be looking out for that would suggest the tree is not enjoying the indoors?

Thanks again for all the info!

Alex

 

[Shibui]

What signs should I be looking out for that would suggest the tree is not enjoying the indoors?

Yellowish new leaves = lack of light (also starvation)
long thin new shoots = lack of light
Leaves falling off (not just a couple, that is normal) This can be from a number of reasons - lack of light, roots too dry, roots too wet, low humidity, etc - all of which are more difficult indoors.
Note that lack of light is mentioned a few times. What we perceive as good light is like a cave to most trees that have evolved in full sunlight conditions. Most indoor plants originate in darker forest environments so they can tolerate conditions found inside houses far better than most trees. In my experience Ficus seem to be far easier to manage as indoor bonsai without elaborate growing setups.

UK narrows your climate down a bit but I think there is still quite a big range of conditions, even on your little island, from north to south, coast to mountains. Advice for Scotland will be quite different to London.

 

[AlboDean]

Yellowish new leaves = lack of light (also starvation)
long thin new shoots = lack of light
Leaves falling off (not just a couple, that is normal) This can be from a number of reasons - lack of light, roots too dry, roots too wet, low humidity, etc - all of which are more difficult indoors.
Note that lack of light is mentioned a few times. What we perceive as good light is like a cave to most trees that have evolved in full sunlight conditions. Most indoor plants originate in darker forest environments so they can tolerate conditions found inside houses far better than most trees. In my experience Ficus seem to be far easier to manage as indoor bonsai without elaborate growing setups.

UK narrows your climate down a bit but I think there is still quite a big range of conditions, even on your little island, from north to south, coast to mountains. Advice for Scotland will be quite different to London.

Perfect, thanks! I’ll keep an eye out.

I’m in Gloucestershire, south west England.

 

[JudyB]

Hi Alex, and welcome to the forum. If you go to your profile you'll be able to put your location and zone in there so it'll appear under your name, and folks can give you good advice.

 

[AlboDean]

Hi Alex, and welcome to the forum. If you go to your profile you'll be able to put your location and zone in there so it'll appear under your name, and folks can give you good advice.

Hi Judy, thanks for the welcome and the tip!

 

[Nanuk]

Yes, plenty of new shoots coming through. I’ve had to prune quite abit since getting the tree a few weeks ago.



I asked the owner of the nursery for an indoor tree that is good for beginners and the Chinese elm was what they suggested. What signs should I be looking out for that would suggest the tree is not enjoying the indoors?



Alex

I'm thinking that I wouldn't take a lot of advice from that seller. That Elm needs to be outside at least a good bit of the time.
It can be done inside but it WILL NOT be an easy road.

Good luck.

 

[AlboDean]

I'm thinking that I wouldn't take a lot of advice from that seller. That Elm needs to be outside at least a good bit of the time.
It can be done inside but it WILL NOT be an easy road.

Good luck.

Thanks Nanuk. Probably should’ve joined this forum before I bought my tree.