New Bonsai - What is it and why is it going yellow?

[sideshow128]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post as I am a complete newbie to Bonsai. I got this bonsai for Christmas but it came with no details of what it was or needs.

It was perfectly green when I got it but it is now turning yellow rapidly despite being watered.

Please can someone help me with a- what it is? and b- How to get it back to a lush green.

Many Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[painter]

couple of things.
looks like a chinese elm.
looks like it is overwatered.
but you should help us out by filling out your profile of where you live etc..
not knowing any of that, chinese elm are tough, and if you can get it through the winter in a cool room, with temps that dont vary much. and dont water it too much only when almost dry.
come spring repot with a local bonsai club you will join soon and everything will be fine
happy new year
enjoy your tree.
p

 

[Bunjeh]

I concur with everything painter said only that it could be a zelkova. This looks like basic "Mallsai" so you may want to think about repotting it pretty quickly. Most Mallsai are not typically put in the best growing medium.
Here are a couple of links on care of this species.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Zelkova.html

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ulmus.html

Enjoy!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I concur with everything painter said only that it could be a zelkova. This looks like basic "Mallsai" so you may want to think about repotting it pretty quickly. Most Mallsai are not typically put in the best growing medium.
Here are a couple of links on care of this species.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Zelkova.html

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ulmus.html

Enjoy!

It is Chinese a Elm, Ulmus parviflora; not Zelkova serrata. Oftentimes, Chinese Elm is deliberately mislabeled as zelkova because the import restrictions are different, causing some confusion among those not familiar with both.

 

[gregkthompson]

Its definatley a Chinese Elm. Im pretty new to this also, but I have learned that if it is kept inside, it usually needs watering once a week. I had the same problem with overwatering once I started. I just let it sit there about a week then I usually add water. There are a lot of videos on what to look for and when to water the Chinese Elm. Good Luck.

 

[jk_lewis]

Don't water until it needs it. Here's how to know that:

Keep a piece of chopstick, or a skewer jammed deeply into the soil. Remove it every morning and feel the dirty end. If it feels damp, DO NOT WATER. If it feels dry, water.

It is best to water from the top, like rain, with a watering can, but for the rest of the winter you can just set it in the sink and fill to the RIM of the pot. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then lift it out and let the excess water drain.

The soil looks awful. In the spring you will need to repot, using a granular, mostly inorganic soil. See our soil forum here for all the confusing details about soil. Better yet, find and join a local bonsai club and let experienced members help you with the repot.

Good luch -- and enjoy.

 

[M. Frary]

Watering on a schedule indoors in organic soil could lead to disaster. Go find a dipstick of some sort. Chopstick or even a toothpick. Shove it into soil and leave 10 minutes or so. If dry add water. If moist don't water. Chinese elms will drop leaves under stress. Since the leaves are yellow back off on the water. They need to be moist but not wet. Root rot can show up on Chinese elms if not careful with the water.
Welcome to Bonsai and The Bonsai Nut Forum. Questions asked and answers given daily!

 

[Bunjeh]

It is Chinese a Elm, Ulmus parviflora; not Zelkova serrata. Oftentimes, Chinese Elm is deliberately mislabeled as zelkova because the import restrictions are different, causing some confusion among those not familiar with both.

That is good to know and would explain why the Chinese Elm seeds I ordered on Amazon were seized by customs. Do you know what the restrictions are? These would have been coming from Singapore.

 

[Vance Wood]

It is Chinese a Elm, Ulmus parviflora; not Zelkova serrata. Oftentimes, Chinese Elm is deliberately mislabeled as zelkova because the import restrictions are different, causing some confusion among those not familiar with both.

This is true.

 

[sideshow128]

Thank you everyone

WOW,

Thank you all so much for your feed back, I have used forums before and never got much use from them but I am incredibly impressed with the information I have received.

I will hold back on the water and put a toothpick in the substrate, I will then look to repot in the spring in some new better quality soil.

I look forward to being part of this forum and building my knowledge of Bonsai.

Thanks again

Andy

 

[M. Frary]

When we'return not being ass clowns we can and do put forth information that helps.
Chinese elm are one of The best trees to work with. Good luck and come back anytime.

 

[Paulpash]

Another reason it's dropping leaves is shock - if it's gone from a nice, well ventilated, airy position with a lot of natural light to your living room it's gonna complain a bit. If you have a cool (frost free) garage with a spot right by the glass this is a lot better than keeping it in most dark, centrally heated homes. Watering & location are important - don't keep it near a radiator/ fire / on top of the tv for example. More xmas bonsai are killed with kindness than neglect.

 

[jk_lewis]

You probably need something fatter than a toothpick. I always have chopsticks around, and a three inch end from a chopstick permanently jammed into an out-of-the-way spot in the pot is the best way to test soil moisture. Next time you get takeout . . . .

 

[pgstroud@aol.com]

Water & applying appropriate minerals to deal with yellowing leaves

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post as I am a complete newbie to Bonsai. I got this bonsai for Christmas but it came with no details of what it was or needs.

It was perfectly green when I got it but it is now turning yellow rapidly despite being watered.

Please can someone help me with a- what it is? and b- How to get it back to a lush green.

Many Thanks in advance

Andy
View attachment 65140View attachment 65139

Seems it has either been watered too much or too little. When leaves turn yellow it can indicate a need for magnesium. This can be handled by adding a small amount of epsom salts when it is watered next time.

 

[milehigh_7]

WOW

I look forward to being part of this forum and building my knowledge of Bonsai.

Thanks again

Andy

Oh by the way Andy, welcome to the Nut House! It gets a little rowdy sometimes but for the most part you will find good people that know their stuff and are happy to teach you if you listen.

Do put your location in your profile as it will help people give you some specific pointers and maybe even help you find vendors, events and artists in your area.

 

[milehigh_7]

The other obvious thing that it might be is simply this, elms are not always evergreen. They certainly can be in warmer climates but they drop their leaves in colder areas. Also, amount of light can trigger dormancy. Which on an elm would mean yellowing and dropping leaves.

I suspect however that the others are correct that it has been overwatered.