First Elm, Falling Leaves and Yellowing Moss

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vdeschamps

Mame
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Arlington, VA, USA
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7A
Hey guys,

Two weeks ago I got a Chinese Elm from eBay (pictures below). I know that Elms loose their leaves. Mine arrived fully leafed, and started loosing them after a few days. I keep a close eye on soil moister and mist the tree twice a day at least.

I've heard good and not so good things about keeping an Elm indoors (some people say it's a bad idea, some people say Elm do just fine indoors).

I'm writing because my Elm is indeed loosing leaves, and I want to know if it's normal since it arrived fully leafed? (it came from Florida). Secondly, I would like to know if the moss turning yellow is a bad sign?

The tree arrived a bit banged up. Part of the soil poured out of the pot which made the tree loose. I put the soil back in the pot and pushed it down the pot to stabilize the tree.

Thanks for your help,
Vincent

Elm.jpg
Elm2.jpg
 
A big reason is because you're keeping it indoors. Chines Elm may do "okay" indoors, but I wouldn't say it's best for a beginner to grow them indoors. It came from hot, humid, Florida to dry indoors. Looks like you may be overwatering as well, which is where the moss is coming from.

Try using a T8 light instead, the "grow light" you have now isn't helpful or useful for growing plants indoors :D
 
Redwood Ryan said:
A big reason is because you're keeping it indoors. Chines Elm may do "okay" indoors, but I wouldn't say it's best for a beginner to grow them indoors. It came from hot, humid, Florida to dry indoors. Looks like you may be overwatering as well, which is where the moss is coming from.

Try using a T8 light instead, the "grow light" you have now isn't helpful or useful for growing plants indoors :D
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. The moss was already on the tree when it arrived, so it wouldn't be overwatering.

Some bonsai aficionados talk about the Elm as a very good indoor tree.

What do you suggest I do?
 
vdeschamps said:
Thanks for the reply. The moss was already on the tree when it arrived, so it wouldn't be overwatering.

Some bonsai aficionados talk about the Elm as a very good indoor tree.

What do you suggest I do?
Click to expand...


It is definitely not a "very good" indoor tree at all. At the very best, it's a poor choice for indoors. They grow themselves to death over a couple of years.

I'd suggest you do whatever you can to get it a better grow light (T8 bulb fixture) and try to increase humidity around it. Be careful not to overwater.

It's certainly stressed, but Chinese Elms are tough.
 
Redwood Ryan said:
It is definitely not a "very good" indoor tree at all. At the very best, it's a poor choice for indoors. They grow themselves to death over a couple of years.

I'd suggest you do whatever you can to get it a better grow light (T8 bulb fixture) and try to increase humidity around it. Be careful not to overwater.

It's certainly stressed, but Chinese Elms are tough.
Click to expand...

I'm going to get a T5 fixture...which is similar to T8, correct, or provides even more lumens, correct?
 
milehigh_7 said:
T5 HO or VHO (not regular T5) are better than a T8 but listen to Ryan, indoor is what he does.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I was just inquiring about what was best between a T5 and T8, since I can buy either or :-)

Also, besides misting and/or using a humidity tray, what is the best way to keep the environment surround the tree humid?
 
"Some bonsai aficionados talk about the Elm as a very good indoor tree."

Don't know who you're talking to, but elms, as said, are not very good indoor trees. The light will do some good, possibly, but the best thing for this tree is to get it outside COME SPRINGTIME. Until then, use the indoor set-up Ryan advises. It will keep the tree from dieing entirely. If you can get the tree to limp along until the danger of frost has passed--in this area that's mid-to-late April, get it outside and leave it there.
 
If you have the money, definitely go for the T5. I bought this one online last week and it arrived today. It's a 4 foot 6 bulb light, with switches to have either 4 bulbs, 2 bulbs, or all 6 bulbs on at a time.

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Redwood Ryan said:
If you have the money, definitely go for the T5. I bought this one online last week and it arrived today. It's a 4 foot 6 bulb light, with switches to have either 4 bulbs, 2 bulbs, or all 6 bulbs on at a time.

View attachment 30809
View attachment 30810
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Click to expand...

Wow, that is pretty impressive! And I checked your greenhouses as well and I wish I could do the same. I live with a person who doesn't want to see much bonsai, so creating a greenhouse is a no-no.

I was thinking about something like this that is easier to hide somewhere in the apartment:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006856EQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p86_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0HXB4D6QKFP0Q0RHX6GH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846
 
shyu said:
just build a pvc structure for the outside of that amazon product and you have yourself a minigreenhouse
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I wouldn't. The humidity created inside the chamber combined with the light and electricity that goes with it could create a hazardous environment.
 
Redwood Ryan said:
I wouldn't. The humidity created inside the chamber combined with the light and electricity that goes with it could create a hazardous environment.
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Redwood, since I have limited space and budget, do you think that the Amazon product that only has one bulb would be enough for now for my indoor bonsais? Ideally I would have a bigger installation but I just don't have the space.

Is it worth it compared to 900 lumen CFL bulb? :-)
 
I have the same hydrofarm light that you linked to and that should be enough to keep it alive as long as you don't over water it; with the understanding that it should go outside once the threat of freezing has passed. It should also be placed near a window so that you have that light in addition to whatever natural light you can manage.
 
Last edited:
I just remembered/noticed that you are in Arlington. Maybe it is time for me to upgrade and hand you down my hydrofarm? I'm not sure how soon that could happen, but I have been thinking of a more substantial T5 or T8 in addition to my LED experiments that I have going.
 
MrFancyPlants said:
I just remembered/noticed that you are in Arlington. Maybe it is time for me to upgrade and hand you down my hydrofarm? I'm not sure how soon that could happen, but I have been thinking of a more substantial T5 or T8 in addition to my LED experiments that I have going.
Click to expand...

That would be an interesting deal...depending on when that would happen. The earlier for me the better :-)

The only problem I have with my setup, is that I live in an apartment and I only have a tiny, non-practical balcony where I wouldn't feel comfortable putting any plants. Which is why I would do anything space and money wise to get a good installation :-)
 
I'll need to run it by my wife about upgrading the t5 as I've been spending a bit of time and money on my indoor growing setup as is, playing around with the LEDs. Check out my 50w LED thread if you have some time. I'd be willing to give you the t5 light that I have if I could convince my wife to let me upgrade, but I'm also not sure about the mounting structure. It might be easier for me to hang on to the hydrofarm metal frame if it could support the new larger light. Buying a new one for your self wouldn't be too expensive and you wouldn't have to wait for me to figure out these variables and you have the option of going with a higher power setup yourself. For one tree, the 24w model would work, but if you are like most of us on here soon you'll be trying to fit more and more plants under the one teeny light until you'll find yourself wanting to upgrade anyways.
 
MrFancyPlants said:
I'll need to run it by my wife about upgrading the t5 as I've been spending a bit of time and money on my indoor growing setup as is, playing around with the LEDs. Check out my 50w LED thread if you have some time. I'd be willing to give you the t5 light that I have if I could convince my wife to let me upgrade, but I'm also not sure about the mounting structure. It might be easier for me to hang on to the hydrofarm metal frame if it could support the new larger light. Buying a new one for your self wouldn't be too expensive and you wouldn't have to wait for me to figure out these variables and you have the option of going with a higher power setup yourself. For one tree, the 24w model would work, but if you are like most of us on here soon you'll be trying to fit more and more plants under the one teeny light until you'll find yourself wanting to upgrade anyways.
Click to expand...

I think that I will just go ahead and get my own. So far I only have two trees, and just bought two more on eBay for cheap. Once I have more money, I will try to upgrade the grow light rack and put more bulbs. Thanks though!
 
vdeschamps said:
Redwood, since I have limited space and budget, do you think that the Amazon product that only has one bulb would be enough for now for my indoor bonsais? Ideally I would have a bigger installation but I just don't have the space.

Is it worth it compared to 900 lumen CFL bulb? :-)
Click to expand...

It may suffice for a season or so, but I'd look into at least getting two bulbs. How many trees do you have?
 
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