jeremy_norbury
Omono
Looks like real soil - should be ok now. I've never shocked a tree so much they dropped leaves and I've done all sorts of shit with them. Killed some this year by letting them freeze after they'd woken from dormancy.
Dropping leaves and pushing new growth
- Thread starter AaronThomas
- Start date
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
I have - a Chinese elm when I separated an air layer a bit premature. Still, although it lost most of the leaves, it bounced right back. I had a full canopy by the end of the year and didn't lose any branches. Elms are strong trees, so Aaron has that going for him.
The difference here is that this tree is already very weak. Sparse foliage, no growing shoots, and losing leaves to me means a weak tree. Erring on the side of caution motivated my more measured suggestions. But its done and hopefully it'll all work out. But I would not at all be surprised if the leaf drop accelerates before it stabilizes.
GSCarlson
Shohin
My Chinese Elm is on her second complete set of leaves in as many months. The new buds come back in like gang busters. The first time it happened I figured it must be normal, since I hadn't done anything different. This time I figured I may as well take advantage of her down time and do some root work and re-pot. She hasn't skipped a beat. New buds are popping out all over.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Periodic self-defoliation is not a normal growth pattern for an elm. It's an indication that something is wrong.
GSCarlson
Shohin
She has always been a slow grower, although her roots grow like crazy. I was thinking I would leave her out this coming fall instead of bringing her in before the first freeze. Do you think a winter dormancy would help?
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
I don't live in your climate zone, but I've never brought them inside in Seattle, California, or Texas. They are VERY strong growers. Weak extension, tiny leaves, sparse foliage, leaf drop are signs that something is wrong. When it comes out of dormancy, it should spring to life and extend strong shoots. Like this:
It should not be defoliating itself twice in springtime. Each push will be weaker until it just doesn't do it anymore. Then you have a finished bonsai.
It should not be defoliating itself twice in springtime. Each push will be weaker until it just doesn't do it anymore. Then you have a finished bonsai.
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AaronThomas
Omono
We shall see. I shocked this tree 5 years ago when I first wrapped the roots on the rock....bounced back and pushed buds in 3 weeks.
Only been 24 hours and its dropping leaves at what seem to be the same rate as before... but I'm sure you are right. I'll have a naked tree shortly....
The hardest part now (other then finding a spot in the yard that gets zero sun) is the waiting.
GSCarlson
Shohin
Dang, now you got me worried. I have had it for at least a few years and I always wondered why it never did much. But I would be surprised whenever I would check the roots and see how much they had grown. Like Aaron, I will have to wait and see what happens with the next round of leaves. I will give it as much sun as possible (morning to noon) and enough fertilizer. I can't think of anything else to do for her.
base797
Mame
Here in the Front Range, I keep my elms (Chinese and cork bark anyway) outside through mid fall, then into an unheated garage. I shuffle in and out in the fall and spring to preclufe them from freezing. Most years I do get complete leaf drop in the fall, but on more than one occasion some didn't drop all leaves until they woke up the following spring and new growth was occurring. They wake up early for me and in the spring after leaves are emerging, it's outside if temps are warm enough and sometimes they will be inside my home for a few days at a time when its cold, but this is after they have been rested. Dormancy should help your plant regain its vigor.
Patrik
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Chinese elms can take colder temps than what most think. I've had them see zero with no ill effects. It's the minus 20 and lower that kills them.
jeremy_norbury
Omono
Just lost 6 of them with a -5C/23F frost. It depends on provenance and the state they are in when it freezes.
GSCarlson
Shohin
AaronThomas
Omono
Wow... so I feel like I'm starting all over learning about bonsai with the soil change on my elm!
The new inorganic soil drys super fast... the top 2 inches or so is dry but the lower in the pot the soil is damp (not soak wet). Chop stick confirms.... Yep... going to ask.
When to water?
The new inorganic soil drys super fast... the top 2 inches or so is dry but the lower in the pot the soil is damp (not soak wet). Chop stick confirms.... Yep... going to ask.
When to water?
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
You need to top dress with damp sphagnum (or lay a light colored wet towel atop the soil and pot will be especially good in the Tucson summer). The dry air will evaporate water from the top dressing keeping your roots moist and cool (think swamp cooler).Wow... so I feel like I'm starting all over learning about bonsai with the soil change on my elm!
The new inorganic soil drys super fast... the top 2 inches or so is dry but the lower in the pot the soil is damp (not soak wet). Chop stick confirms.... Yep... going to ask.
When to water?
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Once that soil drains so fast you can't fill the pot.
You can water everyday without question.
Sorce
You can water everyday without question.
Sorce
AaronThomas
Omono
Update: So the elm stopped dropping leaves a few days go.... it has lost approximately 90% of its canopy. About that time I noticed many green buds.... and today I noticed they started pushing. Tree has a long way to go but this is very promising!
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Not out of the woods, but a good sign. Thanks for updating us, Aaron.
