Chinese Elm. Leaves yellowing. Repotting in Summer?

[LouShirley]

Hello! I'm very new to all of this; I received my Chinese Elm as a gift at the start of April, and since then the bonsai has been looking just fine.... until a few weeks ago. Some of the leaves began yellowing, and others have turned black/dark brown around the edges, before falling off.

Recently, I have not been pruning it, as I wanted to just observe it's growth a little.


I keep it indoors, not in a window, but in a position where plenty of light can still reach it. I am unable to put the tree outside because there is nowhere that it would be safe from our two mischievous cats. I also live in the UK, near Heathrow Airport.

Also, I believe the soil is retaining water and I feel that it needs repotting, but I read that it should have been done in early spring, however, it is now August. The roots also see to be emerging from the soil?

We've recently had a heatwave in the UK, and now the weather has cooled down.

(I attached a larger picture for a better image of the leaves)

Could anyone give me some advice, please? I would be very grateful.

 

[Gustavo Martins]

All I can say is that I have repoted a Chinese elm in September here before with no harm.

 

[M. Frary]

I keep it indoors, not in a window, but in a position where plenty of light can still reach it.

Not enough.
Even if it were in a window it wouldn't be enough.
It really needs to be outdoors.
A couple mousetraps ought to school those kittys.

 

[Shinjuku]

I agree with M Frary. In general, trees need to be outside in order to get enough light to be happy. Trees tend to die indoors due to lack of sunlight. Both of my Chinese elms are outside and get quite a bit of hot summer sun, and they love it.

If you google “daiso cat repellent mat,” you may get some ideas to keep your cats from munching on your tree.

Some people plant catnip near their bonsai so that cats munch on that instead.

Whoever eventually figures out how to make cats obey is going to be a billionaire.

 

[pbrown00]

Also, if you repot it, I strongly recommend reading the inorganic soil reference sheet (http://houstonbonsaisociety.com/wp-...11/Inorganic-Components-Reference-Sheet-1.pdf) in case you haven't read it yet. Good luck!

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

I agree with M Frary. In general, trees need to be outside in order to get enough light to be happy. Trees tend to die indoors due to lack of sunlight. Both of my Chinese elms are outside and get quite a bit of hot summer sun, and they love it.

If you google “daiso cat repellent mat,” you may get some ideas to keep your cats from munching on your tree.

Some people plant catnip near their bonsai so that cats munch on that instead.

Whoever eventually figures out how to make cats obey is going to be a billionaire.

I have a bunch of jade cuttings in a seed tray rooting and I caught the damn neighborhood cat straight up laying out on the tray like it was a bed. Fortunately it didn't seem to hurt my cuttings but I was not happy.

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

Hello! I'm very new to all of this; I received my Chinese Elm as a gift at the start of April, and since then the bonsai has been looking just fine.... until a few weeks ago. Some of the leaves began yellowing, and others have turned black/dark brown around the edges, before falling off.

Recently, I have not been pruning it, as I wanted to just observe it's growth a little.
View attachment 205899

I keep it indoors, not in a window, but in a position where plenty of light can still reach it. I am unable to put the tree outside because there is nowhere that it would be safe from our two mischievous cats. I also live in the UK, near Heathrow Airport.

Also, I believe the soil is retaining water and I feel that it needs repotting, but I read that it should have been done in early spring, however, it is now August. The roots also see to be emerging from the soil?

We've recently had a heatwave in the UK, and now the weather has cooled down.

View attachment 205899View attachment 205900 (I attached a larger picture for a better image of the leaves)

Could anyone give me some advice, please? I would be very grateful.

I notice that my Chinese Elm often has leaves yellow and fall off as it grows in new foliage. It stays outside all year though, so I'm not sure if this is whats going on with yours.

 

[LouShirley]

I agree with M Frary. In general, trees need to be outside in order to get enough light to be happy. Trees tend to die indoors due to lack of sunlight. Both of my Chinese elms are outside and get quite a bit of hot summer sun, and they love it.

If you google “daiso cat repellent mat,” you may get some ideas to keep your cats from munching on your tree.

Some people plant catnip near their bonsai so that cats munch on that instead.

Whoever eventually figures out how to make cats obey is going to be a billionaire.

Thank you! It rains a lot here, will that be okay if I am able to put the tree outside? There is no shelter in our garden, unfortunately.

Cats are loveable, destructive little fur-balls, aren't they?

 

[LouShirley]

Thanks for your help! I'm going to fight back against the cats and get my poor bonsai some sun

 

[Cadillactaste]

A couple eye hooks and a bungee cord secures a pot to a wooden bench. I keep my nicer trees or higher end pots secured as such. I know a few bonsai nurseries who have cats among their trees. It's not unheard of. Outdoors is always best.

 

[jeanluc83]

Also, if you repot it, I strongly recommend reading the inorganic soil reference sheet (http://houstonbonsaisociety.com/wp-...11/Inorganic-Components-Reference-Sheet-1.pdf) in case you haven't read it yet. Good luck!

Good information but since you only have one tree I would just go with a commercially available mix. Check out Kaizen Bonsai.

 

[bonsaichile]

Thank you! It rains a lot here, will that be okay if I am able to put the tree outside? There is no shelter in our garden, unfortunately.

Cats are loveable, destructive little fur-balls, aren't they?

Rain wont be an issue, lack of light and fresh air inside will be. Put it outside and search for ways to protect it against your cat.

Cats are not lovable; they are entitled dinks ?

 

[leatherback]

Cats are loveable, destructive little fur-balls, aren't they?

Best description I have ever seen!

Cats are not lovable; they are entitled dinks

mwa.. So far they only cost money..

 

[bonsaichile]

Best description I have ever seen!

mwa.. So far they only cost money..

So do my dogs! I had to build extra tall benches so they wouldnt eat the organic fertilizer pellets ?

 

[coltranem]

Thanks for your help! I'm going to fight back against the cats and get my poor bonsai some sun

Just give it fun sun slowly. Start with a few hours a day and then in dappled shade (even this is brighter than it is getting now). Make the transition gradual. You'll be surprised how much these grow in the right conditions.

 

[petegreg]

When we separated air-layers it's usually summer. Did one Chinese elm few weeks ago and it's doing great. So this little for summer repotting.