Elm Bonsai Tree Care

Fertilize your chinese elm bonsai once every two weeks during the growing season spring through fall with a bonsai specific or organic fertilizer.

Elm bonsai tree care. The stately american elm tree was a popular shade tree before dutch elm disease devastated it. Daily waterings are best during the hotter seasons. To care for it properly keep the tree warm and the soil moist. If your chinese elm bonsai tree has little white or green flies on it don t worry.

It only takes one little greenfly to wonder over to the tree and its found a safe home away from predators. It should be pruned during spring season back to 2 3 leaves. The american elm bonsai responds well to pruning and does reduce leaf size quite quickly. This provides extra moisture around the tree as the water evaporates and reduces the amount of moisture lost to modern heating systems.

During the cold months when your bonsai is inside we recommend placing it in a shallow tray filled with a layer of gravel with water added. However in the miniature form it is highly improbable. It is native responds to water and fertilizer. A vigorous top grower it will eventually form smaller leaves and finer textured twiggy growth in a pot.

Overwatering can cause root rot. A cold but frost free greenhouse garage or shed is a good winter place for the zelkova. The tree must be protected against fungus and germs using effective insecticides. How to care for an elm tree.

A single one can cause an infestation. Moisture should always be present in the soil and should not be dry. They were widely planted in urban areas because they are fast growing and tolerant of compacted soils and air pollution. Water the zelkova regularly and don t let the rootball dry out but take care not to overwater the tree.

How often a tree needs to be watered depends on several factors like species of tree size of tree size of pot time of year soil mixture and climate indicating that it is impossible to say how often you should water bonsai. Watering bonsai trees the most important part of taking care of your bonsai trees is watering. Water your tree well before fertilizing and try our neptune s seaweed 0 0 1 an organic supplement which provides over 60 naturally occurring major and minor nutrients and amino acids. Chinese elm bonsai require moderate watering.

We recommend using a soft spray to soak the soil. The chinese elm ulmus parvifolia also known as the lacebark elm is among most readily available and most forgiving bonsai trees to work with making it a great choice for beginners. American elms have a classic vase shape forming a canopy of shade. These flies don t need a partner produce babies.

They grow best in full sun but also take shade. Prune train and repot the bonsai only as needed. In winter the greybark elm should be protected from frost especially when it is planted in a shallow bonsai container.