Soil Drainage - Need Help

[BigBallerBonsai]

Hey all,

I’ve found that the brown spots on my Chinese elm are likely due do the soil holding too much water. How can you check soil drainage and quality?

Thanks!

 

[AaronThomas]

Whats the tree in at the moment? I'm betting organic?
If you have true soil... like dirt... then its most likely retaining too much water. If you water one day and its just as wet the next... that's one way to tell.
For Elms I use 3/16" to 1/8" pieces of 40%pumice and 40%lava as in-organics and about 20% fine pine bark (orchid bark) as an organic element to help with water retention. You may not need the bark in NY.
Water free flows out the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

 

[BigBallerBonsai]

I’m not sure what it’s in currently. I bought it online from eastern leaf. Is there a way to tell? Also are there any tests I can do to see if it’s drainage or airation are good?

 

[hemmy]

I’m not sure what it’s in currently. I bought it online from eastern leaf. Is there a way to tell? Also are there any tests I can do to see if it’s drainage or airation are good?

Watering Bonsai Trees

Watering Along with proper siting, proper watering is among the most critical tasks to master to become successful in the art of bonsai. Water too frequently, or too infrequently, and the tree's health declines. Usually, the symptoms of...

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Here is a resource on how to water, with a chopstick method determining soil moisture.

Also post pics of soil surface and leaves with spots. If they are small black spots, it could be fungal. Search online for Chinese Elm Anthracnose for images.

 

[Bnana]

These plants are often grown in a clay-like soil. That's fine if they are in the ground but in a pot that doesn't drain enough.
Therefore most people use inorganic soils that retain water but drain well. You could fill books with the preference of different people.
This depends on what's available, local climate, watering regime and tree species.

So as Hemmy wrote, please post a photo of the spots and the soil.

 

[BigBallerBonsai]

Hey All,

Here are pictures of the leaves and soil to help. Please let me know, thanks!

 

[HorseloverFat]

Definitely predominantly organic soil. It’ll “hug” the moisture quite effectively... in a large number of cases, TOO effectively...

If drainage is the question, that soil/substrate would fall on the “slower draining” end of the spectrum.

I do not own one of these trees, so I cannot speak to the specifics of the leaf “spots”

I also do not know(because I don’t have a “friend” of this specie) traditionally, what exact soil needs this tree has, but I’m guessing a free-er draining medium would improve his/her health REGARDLESS of the “leaf spot culprit”

Not much help, I know. My apologies.

 

[0soyoung]

The easy way to deal with this is to quit watering so often.

Stick your finger into the soil, wiggle down in, most of the way to the bottom of the pot. Extract your finger. Do not water until the soil doesn't stick to your finger.

 

[Bnana]

In the long term, repot in proper soil. But for now watering less should help.
You can also make some holes in the soil with a chopstick to let air in, but don't damage the roots too much.

 

[AJL]

Agree with all the above advice. It looks like it was recently repotted with organic potting compost.
I suggest you check the drainage hole isnt blocked, and dont water as often!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I’ve found that the brown spots on my Chinese elm are likely due do the soil holding too much water.

You didn't mention where you are keeping your tree. It is more common to have leaf problems when a tree is being kept indoors. The lighting is usually not as bright, there is no wind, leaves stay wet longer, etc.

 

[BigBallerBonsai]

I keep the tree outside during the day and inside at night. The drainage hole currently has dirt in it. Is that considered a blocked hole or is dirt supposed to be there?

 

[AaronThomas]

I would start leaving outside... you temps are warm enough.
You have mostly dirt in the pot so dirt will clog up the drainage. This is another reason to use inorganics.

 

[Bnana]

You do not want to repot now so changing the soil is hard. What I've done in the past is lift a plant like this from the soil and add a thin layer of something that drains well in the pot and put the plant on top. I used kittydama but you can use anything that drains well. This way the water can leave the dirt over a much larger area and easily flow to the hole. This doesn't disturb the roots and can be done now.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

For the time being, earth worms could improve percolation. They're dirt cheap!
And they'll eat dead parts.

 

[0soyoung]

For the time being, earth worms could improve percolation. They're dirt cheap!
And they'll eat dead parts.

Quite true,
But quite humorously put.

 

[Cobra]

Would regular lolly pop sticks work using the chopstick method? Watering is one thing I'm in the process of mastering as a beginner.

 

[AaronThomas]

I’m totally going to get crap for this but...if it were my tree...unless it’s become considerably worse In the last few days..... I would hate to leave in the current soil...repot it. It’s an elm... it’s still early and soil is to water retentive. Or water less and wait for it to get healthier and do it then.
I just did repotted a yellow leafed America Elm I got on EBay (don’t judge)... dropped it’s leaves and Is now budding.
If you do repot aftercare is essential for the following few weeks..... let the nut house know and can walk you through aftercare but
if you decide to wait it will probably be fine however... water with kit gloves. Elms are tough but love to get root rot.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

What you might ...TRY... is...

Don't water for a few days to get the soil as flaky as possible.
HOPE you have wired the tree in FIRMLY to the pot.
Turn the whole shebang upside down and shake it. Hopefully a bunch of "wrong" shit will fall out.
Be gentle. Don't whack the pot of slop.
Watch the fallout. Tap a bit if you want.
Sort of a "repotquake."
Then add better soil or mix or whatever into the space left by the absorptive stuff.
Sprinkle a BIT of ....good.... potting soil on any roots made visible by the shake. Just to fool them into thinking that OH BOY I HAVE SOME STUFF TO GROW INTO!

I know repotting isn't good at wrong times but sometimes pots get broken.

 

[AaronThomas]

Hate rereading my posts and finding typos .... "WATER WITH KID GLOVES" ! You can just use gloves... you don't need a kit.