Growing Zelkova Indoors

[Omar]

Hi all,
I know it's suboptimal but due to my recent change in situation I don't have a choice.

I had my trees on my fire escape but my building is now under new management and the new landlord is a total narc. I want to ask if anyone here has had decent results growing Zelkova indoors?

I put it in my indoor greenhouse along with several other trees but would appreciate any advice on indoor growing for this particular species.

 

[miker]

I don't think Zelkova will do "well" indoors but it might do okay in your indoor greenhouse with high light levels and good air circulation. Especially if you can manage to keep it somewhere exposed to outside air in the winter so it can go dormant (which sounds like it may be a challenge in your situation).

Actually, now that I think about it more, I bet Zelkova and many other deciduous species could do pretty well in a properly equipped indoor greenhouse setup, provided that the tree is not kept in greenhouse conditions year round.

 

[Omar]

I don't think Zelkova will do "well" indoors but it might do okay in your indoor greenhouse with high light levels and good air circulation. Especially if you can manage to keep it somewhere exposed to outside air in the winter so it can go dormant (which sounds like it may be a challenge in your situation).

Actually, now that I think about it more, I bet Zelkova and many other deciduous species could do pretty well in a properly equipped indoor greenhouse setup, provided that the tree is not kept in greenhouse conditions year round.

Hmmm, I was under the impression Zelkova can be cultivated indoors and remains evergreen under those conditions. Thank you for the feedback, I must've hallucinated that.

I was thinking about placing it in a mini fridge to recreate winter conditions since i don't have reliable outdoor space. Thoughts on this?

 

[cmeg1]

Fridge can be very dry and damage the thin twigs of bonsai trees,very bad.

 

[Omar]

Fridge can be very dry and damage the thin twigs of bonsai trees,very bad.

I see, thank you. I'll get through the spring and summer and meanwhile work on a plan for the winter. Thank you everyone, I really appreciate the input.

 

[miker]

In this particular case, I wasn't implying that the op utilize the fridge for dormancy, since he lives in NY.

I have been utilizing the refrigerator for a number of my small trees for years and it works beautifully. Have to keep the potting medium moist, just like when the trees are outside on the bench. As long as this requirement is met, deciduous trees do fine wintering in the fridge. The humidity in the 3 different refrigerators I have used over the years has averaged in the 35-40% range. Not at all humid, but certainly not bone dry either. I'm telling you, if you live in a low/no chill climate and must have a few obligate temperate species, it is the way to go. I am relatively fortunate in that I live at the southernmost limit for some of Eastern North America's most notable deciduous species, so I am in the process of acquiring locally sourced individuals that will do well outside here all year. This allows me to reserve space for my must-haves like Japanese maple, etc., etc.

The one and only time I lost trees in the fridge was in 2010 when I neglected to water for like 3 weeks. Several dried out and were goners. I have probably lost at least 10-20 potted trees/bonsai over the years outside due to not keeping up with my watering. I have learned my lesson on that.

As for Zelkova/Ulmus serrata, I am under the impression this is a temperate species, whereas Ulmus parviflora (Chinese elm) is flexible climate-wise and remains evergreen in warm subtropical and tropical areas. Give Zelkova a try with year round warm/mild conditions and see what happens. We all may learn something helpful about Zelkova!

 

[sorce]

I can't recall a building with a fire escape that doesn't have an accessible flat roof.

Sorce

 

[RickMartin]

I can't recall a building with a fire escape that doesn't have an accessible flat roof.

Sorce

Ahhhhh now thats an idea

Rick

 

[M. Frary]

Zelkova will fare worse than Chinese elm indoors. Which Chinese elm don't do well with.
These are both outdoor trees. The zelkova in all likelihood is going to decline and die indoors.

 

[Omar]

In this particular case, I wasn't implying that the op utilize the fridge for dormancy, since he lives in NY.

I have been utilizing the refrigerator for a number of my small trees for years and it works beautifully. Have to keep the potting medium moist, just like when the trees are outside on the bench. As long as this requirement is met, deciduous trees do fine wintering in the fridge. The humidity in the 3 different refrigerators I have used over the years has averaged in the 35-40% range. Not at all humid, but certainly not bone dry either. I'm telling you, if you live in a low/no chill climate and must have a few obligate temperate species, it is the way to go. I am relatively fortunate in that I live at the southernmost limit for some of Eastern North America's most notable deciduous species, so I am in the process of acquiring locally sourced individuals that will do well outside here all year. This allows me to reserve space for my must-haves like Japanese maple, etc., etc.

The one and only time I lost trees in the fridge was in 2010 when I neglected to water for like 3 weeks. Several dried out and were goners. I have probably lost at least 10-20 potted trees/bonsai over the years outside due to not keeping up with my watering. I have learned my lesson on that.

As for Zelkova/Ulmus serrata, I am under the impression this is a temperate species, whereas Ulmus parviflora (Chinese elm) is flexible climate-wise and remains evergreen in warm subtropical and tropical areas. Give Zelkova a try with year round warm/mild conditions and see what happens. We all may learn something helpful about Zelkova!

I think I may try the fridge method since you as well as several others have had success doing the same. I actually have 2 so I can experiment with different methods. Hopefully this time next year I'll still have 2

Ahhhhh now thats an idea

Rick

As lovely as people are, I don't want to leave my trees on the roof that everyone has access to

 

[RickMartin]

Well then next growing season hopefully you do still have 2

Rick

 

[AlainK]

Zelkova will fare worse than Chinese elm indoors. Which Chinese elm don't do well with.
These are both outdoor trees. The zelkova in all likelihood is going to decline and die indoors.

I wonder: are you sure it's a Zelkova? Chinese elms are sometimes sold under that name. Can you post a photo?

But I second what M. Frary wrote: both species need a period of dormancy, and Zelkova serrata in its native habitat can stand temperatures as low as -35°C when planted in a garden. (minus 31°F). For Ulmus parvifolia, it's about -25°C ( -13°F)

 

[Omar]

I wonder: are you sure it's a Zelkova? Chinese elms are sometimes sold under that name. Can you post a photo?

But I second what M. Frary wrote: both species need a period of dormancy, and Zelkova serrata in its native habitat can stand temperatures as low as -35°C when planted in a garden. (minus 31°F). For Ulmus parvifolia, it's about -25°C ( -13°F)

Positive, i have a Chinese Elm as well. Here it is in all its splendor and glory =]

 

[miker]

Hmmm...That could be a Zelkova, based on the leaf shape. Not sure. Either way, healthy looking tree.

 

[sorce]

As lovely as people are, I don't want to leave my trees on the roof that everyone has access to

Man...trees before people!

If approach this like the daughter thing...
Just sit out there and throw one dude off the roof.....

No, seriously....
If you rent a space and put up a sign,
It could work....

I'd love to think it over with you...

I thought about giving away veggies and herbs to people....
You could put an herb garden up too...
And let people take food...
In hopes they'll leave your trees alone.

Sorce

 

[chansen]

Man...trees before people!

I thought about giving away veggies and herbs....
In hopes they'll leave your trees alone.

Sorce

About the same way I tried to manage squirrels when I lived in Virginia...

 

[AlainK]

Positive, i have a Chinese Elm as well. Here it is in all its splendor and glory =]

Right, definitely a Zelkova.

 

[Tieball]

You most likely already have your wintering plan well thought out and in place already. I have no idea about what your windows look like. However. If you're still entertaining thoughts from others....general ideas....you might consider making a box that is placed at an open window so the cold air reaches the trees but the apartment is shielded from the cold air. Visualize a box the opposite hanging of a window air conditioner...the AC unit hangs outside the window...the Box would hang inside the window. Seal the box/window edges for no cold draft inside. Hinge a door, or the box back, inside to access the trees. Plywood. You could even add foam around the plywood to insulate the apartment from the cold air outside if needed. You could set the box so the normal window screen can be lowered in place to block the birds and such...or just staple screen to the open side of the box. Set the box on legs or a tabletop at the right height. A car jack, or stacked books, could simply raise the box to the right height off a lower table. It's a thought. Hmmmmm....just thinking outside......or inside.....the box.

 

[just.wing.it]

You most likely already have your wintering plan well thought out and in place already. I have no idea about what your windows look like. However. If you're still entertaining thoughts from others....general ideas....you might consider making a box that is placed at an open window so the cold air reaches the trees but the apartment is shielded from the cold air. Visualize a box the opposite hanging of a window air conditioner...the AC unit hangs outside the window...the Box would hang inside the window. Seal the box/window edges for no cold draft inside. Hinge a door, or the box back, inside to access the trees. Plywood. You could even add foam around the plywood to insulate the apartment from the cold air outside if needed. You could set the box so the normal window screen can be lowered in place to block the birds and such...or just staple screen to the open side of the box. Set the box on legs or a tabletop at the right height. A car jack, or stacked books, could simply raise the box to the right height off a lower table. It's a thought. Hmmmmm....just thinking outside......or inside.....the box.

Like this! Swap baby with tree!

 

[Tieball]

Well......yeah....sort of like that. That could work...perhaps better than an inside box. Not much wind chill protection though if that's a concern.

Somehow I think that kid will grow up with some interesting complexities in life.