Needing Advice for a Chinese Elm

[purity]

I've just been given a Chinese Elm and I'm new to bonsai. I realise the tree might be a little sub-standard so my key aim is just to keep it alive for now.

Here it is:



I've done plenty of reading but I still have a few questions.

1. When the tree first arrived it seemed a bit dry so I gave it a decent water. Two days later and it still seems damp. I've checked under the surface with a chop stick as well. I suspect the soil is very clayey, but is this normal behaviour in this type of soil?



2. I would like to re-pot at some point, is it best to do it now or wait until spring for this?

3. Some of the foliage has been very messily pruned. Do I need to clean it up or should I just leave it for now?



4. I live in the UK and I have a fairly sheltered garden, do I need to make any type of shelter for the tree through the winter?

5. Will I need to feed the tree over the winter?

I hope these questions don't seem too basic. There is a lot of information about bonsai on the web, but much of it is conflicting, or maybe very species specific, so I'd really value some input.

 

[Poink88]

Sounds like you did your research and already know what you are doing and just need confirmation. Good job!

1. It is normal for that soil, just do not water until it is semi-dry.
2. Wait till spring.
3. Leave it for now, trim on spring.
4. No idea how cold it can get there, I would defer to others.
5. I will continue feeding...a lot less because you will water less too. That said, there are differing opinions on this.

Good luck!

 

[JudyB]

Hello Purity, and welcome!

You are doing the right thing, learning on this tree, and being willing to be patient.

You should keep a chopstick, or wooden skewer in the soil, and only water when it comes out mostly dry. Your poor soil will stay wet for much longer periods of time than good bonsai substrate would, just keep checking. Plus this time of year, when growth is slowing, will also keep the soil wetter, as the plant is not needing as much, and cooler temps as well.
So yes it is normal behavior for your soil, and time of year.

You should wait till spring to repot, just before the new buds open, this is a pretty easy tree to deal with, they're pretty forgiving of insults such as repotting and pruning.

You should only do very light- if any- pruning, only taking small damaged parts off. At this time of year, cutting off growth spurs the plant to put on replacement growth, which will die during the winter, weakening the plant.

How cold do your temps get where you live? You shouldn't need to do too much protection unless it gets very cold or windy. But sounds like you'll be fine without. If it gets down into the 20's (F) regularly, I'd mulch it in.

You won't need to feed the tree during the winter, but have some on hand for the growth spurt in the spring. Also don't water when the rootball is frozen this winter.

Read as much as you can to be ready!