5 year old chinese elm - a few questions

[andrewclimbs]

Hello there,
Firstly, I am new to Bonsai and just recently bought a 5 year old Chinese Elm. I have situated the bonsai next to my window (so indoors) where it gets pretty much a full day of direct sunlight.
I have attempted to read through the web on tips and tricks but there seems to be a fair amount of junk out there. If you could answer these few questions that would be very much appreciated.
1) I water it 2-3 times a week, mainly via spraying it but also some directly in to the soil when I feel the soil is too dry. does this seem right?
2) My Bonsai does not seem anywhere near as mature as other 5 year old bonsai's, have I bought a dud one? (if possible), and how do I promote growth, particularly a thicker trunk?
3) If you could check out my photo that I have posted, do you think this is a decent enough set up for an indoor Chinese Elm, I am filling the bottom tray with water on most days to keep the humidity in the local area optimal which I have read is useful...so, is it?
as you can see I am very new to this so any help would be lovely.
p.s I posted as I live in Sydney, Australia and can only really find information about other parts of the world
thanks
andy

[img]IMG_20130826_124737[/img]

[alpineart]

Hi andrewclimbs , mate Bonsai are basically outdoor plants , with a few exceptions like figs and other indoor type plants . Outdoors is the best place for them as they need sun air and rain . Watering should be saturating the soil from the top and allowing it to drain freely . Keep moist but not wet ,humidity for a Chinese Elm is not necessary , for a fig its a different matter they cope well with humidity .

Don't believe all the age hype of bonsai , it's not important how old the tree is it's how well developed and refined the bonsai is . I see so called bonsai with a stated age of 15 years and if the truth be known they are probably 5 years old and with 2 seasons of development . If a plant is 20 years old and stuck in a bonsai pot with a trim its not a 20 year old bonsai if that makes sense .

Growing your tree in a bigger pot or training box , even the ground will thicken the trunk and increase the size of the plant . They still require monitoring or the will get a bit leggy in which case it will be just another Chinese Elm tree/plant , from there you can utilize what you have in the way of the trunk to create a fresh start to a pre - bonsai or trainer .

I can't see a pic so i cant comment on the indoor set up but like i said Chinese Elms are outdoor trees and outdoor Bonsai. Hope this helps somewhat .

Cheers Alpineart

[Pup]

Hello Andrew. First up your chinese elm is a tree. Trees grow out doors, I cannot get your picture up, so I cannot make a comparison, to any others.

It needs sunlight direct to photosynthesise, to start the growth process unless you have it under grow light it will not work. Your watering seems a bit hap hazard.

Water the tree by saturating the soil, then letting it dry out to damp, not completely dry. Having it sitting where it is you run the risk of when summer comes of burning it.

Cheers Pup.
ps I am sure you will get more replys soon.

[Bougy Fan]

Hi andy as the others have pointed out you have a bit of learn - just as well you are in the right place As mentioned first get it outside and away from a potential magnifying glass. Watering is tricky but as mentioned you mustn't let it dry out. Dried out roots = dead tree. I believe it's best to err on the side of caution and water a little too much - I feel most bonsai die from under watering, not over. The photo would help - can you try again to load it ? Most importantly look at the tree and let it tell you what it needs - you will know when it's happy and when it's not.

[andrewclimbs]

firstly, Thank you guys for your replies...
I am definitely aware that I have an incredible amount to learn, but this is why I got a Bonsai in the first place..interest in something new for me
I have since moved the tree outside, on to a table where it is receiving full sun pretty much all day.
You talk about burning the tree, is this because of the window? as mine is always open, should that still be a problem?

Here is a photo (that should work) of my Bonsai (of when it was still next to my window). I think I understand your concept on watering..but if I have more issues I will ask away if that it alright.


[img][IMG]http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r744/andrewclimbs/bonsai_zps1704bfe5.jpg[/img][/img]

[Bougy Fan]

Yes the glass can be like a magnifying glass - but even an open window is inside. How many other trees do you have growing inside the house ? So it must go outside. Also take it out of that tray - the water that runs through must drain away. If it stays in that tray down the track you could have problems with root rot. Next year when the tree goes dormant you will mist likely have to repot and see what kind of mix it's in - for now I think you just concentrate on keeping it alive.

[andrewclimbs]

This is my first attempt to care for a Bonsai, so thank you for your help Tony and others.
Is there anything other then watering when necessary that I can do to promote good health, and even promote growth (I am especially keen to thicken the trunk).
cheers

[Bougy Fan]

Seasol for a start - it's a tonic so you can't hurt the tree with it. Generally speaking thicken will mean taking it out of it's bonsai pot. I would leave that at the moment - just learn how to keep the tree alive. You could always go to a bonsai nursery and buy a bonsai starter that you can learn with about fattening etc. Remember being a deciduous tree you can't fool around much with the roots now that it left dormancy. It is very important to do root work every year while developing a bonsai when it has gone dormant. Join a club - it's the best piece of advice you will receive. Good luck

[kcpoole]

This is my first attempt to care for a Bonsai, so thank you for your help Tony and others.
Is there anything other then watering when necessary that I can do to promote good health, and even promote growth (I am especially keen to thicken the trunk).
cheers

As has been mentioned, water daily by watering can enough so that water runs freely out of the bottom of the pot, in summer, 2 times a day and more if needed.

Fertilise weekly with liquid fertiliser ( miracle grow) is good
Out in full sun all day, generally. if you are on a north facing garden, then maybe midday shade in summer.

Ken

[shibui]

As has been mentioned, water daily by watering can enough so that water runs freely out of the bottom of the pot,

This is good advice for an open, well drained mix like yours KC but I would hesitate to apply this to many bonsai mixes I have seen. A client recently showed me trees potted in garden soil but all are reasonably healthy. She waters once a week in summer and it works for her but I would never advise others to follow her methods.
You must know YOUR OWN MIX to decide how often and how much to water.

Water running out the bottom of the pot is not always a sign that the rootball is properly saturated either. Water often runs around the outside of a dry mix and out the bottom of the pot giving the impression the rootball is saturated when it may be still quite dry.

[kcpoole]

Very true and sage advice Shibui.
I keep forgetting not everyone uses Diatomite and can experience the ease it rewets

The golden rule here is know your soil! and learn how to water - https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... w_to_water

Ken

[squizzy]

Hi Andrew,

Good to see another beaches guy on here. I am just up the road at Seaforth. I am not normally one to give too much advice but it looks like you might be struggling with the elm. If that is where you want or possibly need to grow your bonsai you might have more success with a fig of some kind. No tree should ideally be kept indoors for long periods of time but you might have more success with a fig than an elm in my opinion.

squizz

[andrewclimbs]

cheers again guys, my processes are much better than they were just a few days ago...hopefullfy i can contonue to improve them. ok so i just bought the mirqcle grow max feed all purpose soluble fertiliser, the packet is not clear on how much to use for a bonsai the size of mine.. tips? sorry to ask so much..i would just like to nail this without killing it.
p.s squizz, im just in fairlight..your other thread is rather inspiring

[siddhar]

1/2 a teaspoon - 1 teaspoon will do

[alpineart]

Hi AC , mate the pic that comes up is a Trident Maple buy the look of it ,the poor quality photo doesn't help with I.D. It does have a chinese Elm tag on it . Same suggestions apply to most bonsai .

Cheers Alpine