Chinese Elm, Indoor?

[markyscott]

Never been fond of the s shaped trunk myself. But Chuah did something very creative with one once, creating two trees any of us would be proud to have on our bench. How about something like this:

http://houstonbonsaisociety.com/air-layering-a-chinese-elm-mallsai-into-two-shohin-bonsai/

I especially like how the bottom section turned into a moyogi-style shohin. Very nice.

But for this technique, you'll need growth. For growth, you'll need light, and a lot of it.

Scott

 

[Naomanos]

They're gorgeous, but two things keep me from doing something like the two shown.

1) I am a complete newbie. I am just starting out and have no clue what I am doing.

2) My wife, she would kill me.

 

[markyscott]

I'd hold off then. It's best not to make an enemy of your wife. Consider doing what I do - encourage your wife in her own expensive hobby. Then everyone's happy and you can go through life unencumbered be the eventual back problems that inevitably result from carrying around a wallet that's too heavy.

Either that or have kids. Result is the same.

Scott

 

[sorce]

When they become "His and Her" trees, she'll be mad?

Even when she gets the "cute" one?

Just don't plant them in her microwave lids!

I'm starting to think it may Not be killing trees that helps us learn........

It's spousal death threats!

They never follow through.

Sorce

 

[Naomanos]

When they become "His and Her" trees, she'll be mad?

Even when she gets the "cute" one?

Just don't plant them in her microwave lids!

I'm starting to think it may Not be killing trees that helps us learn........

It's spousal death threats!

They never follow through.

Sorce

ROFL

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I think for a beginner it's important to try and keep it alive. If it's still alive in a year then go back to wigerts and they will help you repot it. By that time you may want to upgrade.
They are a fine establishment.
Did you look at willow leaf ficus?
They do very well indoors.
Keep us posted
With my elm I felt it took more water than I thought to keep it happy.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

People don't seem to realize that growing indoors is a whole other challenge. The air is dry and the lighting is poor. Even next to a window isn't the best spot. We see a lot of light coming in but it's totally different for the tree.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

As you know I grow indoors also
I have about 20 ficus and one schefferella currently.i have no indoor lights and no humidity chamber. All light comes from a double wide southwest window. Yes it's slow growth but I'm in no hurry.
I have a schefferella at work also it does grow under t8's and it does well.

 

[Naomanos]

People don't seem to realize that growing indoors is a whole other challenge. The air is dry and the lighting is poor. Even next to a window isn't the best spot. We see a lot of light coming in but it's totally different for the tree.

Well, when it is your only option available to you...

Please do not say that I should have gotten a ficus.

 

[milehigh_7]

At the end of the day you can grow it inside, many do. It may require work and equipment but if you want to do it, you can. It needs good strong light, air flow, appropriate humidity correct watering and the right soil. Here is one link to inside growing from a guy that does it exclusively.

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I do it exclusively as well. But I, like Jerry, only grow Ficus.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I do it exclusively as well. But I, like Jerry, only grow Ficus.

I don't think jerry only grows ficus- does he?
He tells many stories of different tree types

 

[amcoffeegirl]

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/IndoorBonsai.html
Here he lists several trees to possibly try. I have always wanted to try singapore holly.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

He lists species to try, not species he grows. Those are just a general list of trees that do well indoors.

 

[milehigh_7]

I can tell you back in about 1998 when I was starting I was asking some of the same questions the OP was asking. I was getting the usual nasty replies that folks get when they ask about indoor. It was Jerry who shut everyone up and was a great encouragement to me. I tend to believe he knows about a bit more than Ficus Ryan. He is one of the nicest and most humble of the professionals you will ever talk to.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

He lists species to try, not species he grows. Those are just a general list of trees that do well indoors.

No sorry
The list was for the op -of trees to try indoors.

 

[coh]

I can tell you back in about 1998 when I was starting I was asking some of the same questions the OP was asking. I was getting the usual nasty replies that folks get when they ask about indoor. It was Jerry who shut everyone up and was a great encouragement to me. I tend to believe he knows about a bit more than Ficus Ryan. He is one of the nicest and most humble of the professionals you will ever talk to.

Reminds me of a quote from Jack Wikle, when he did his presentation in Rochester last fall. He said when he started, he had the benefit of "not knowing that what he was trying to do was impossible" (or words to that effect). You know, things like growing junipers and such indoors, under lights, all year with no true dormant period.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I tend to believe he knows about a bit more than Ficus Ryan.

I never claimed to know more than him, but thanks for the comparison.

 

[milehigh_7]

Read it again Ryan. No comparison... In response to your statement "I, like Jerry, only grow Ficus". Was simply saying he knows about more than just ficus. You actually only mentioned by way of addressing the post.

 

[milehigh_7]

Reminds me of a quote from Jack Wikle, when he did his presentation in Rochester last fall. He said when he started, he had the benefit of "not knowing that what he was trying to do was impossible" (or words to that effect). You know, things like growing junipers and such indoors, under lights, all year with no true dormant period.

Isn't what Jack Wikle does amazing? A Juniper inside for 20+ years? Amazing.