Elm Leaves Drooping

[Mushroommonkeyy]

Hey guys, I definitely fell for the trap. I have had this elm for a little over 6 weeks. When I bought it I was under the impression I could use artificial lights and grow it indoors. I was seeing a lot of new growth in week 2 and 3.

Then in week 4 and 5 the new growth started to droop, curl, yellow and wither away. The soil was organic and would pool water. It would only start to dry out on top after about a week. I repotted to inorganic, leaving some about 10% organic, about 5 days ago to allow for better drainage thinking that was the problem.

After joining this community and reading the resources on here, it sounds like the first mistake was keeping it indoors. I’m afraid to take it outside since it’s probably acclimating from a California heat to my 65 degree house already, and I just repotted it. I keep artificial lights on it 12 hours a day and keep my humidifier running at 70% in this room. I’m hoping the repot helps it and it was due to moisture retention, but I’m looking for suggestions to make sure I can keep it alive long enough to take it outdoors. I have a thriving juniper outside and I want to see this tree thrive as well.

 

[rockm]

Get it outside in the shade. Keep the soil moist not wet. Outside is always preferable to inside. It will be fine

 

[vesper818]

What he said

 

[Mushroommonkeyy]

Get it outside in the shade. Keep the soil moist not wet. Outside is always preferable to inside. It will be fine

Okay thank you. My biggest fear was that it would go through a temp change, then repot, then another temp change and it would die.

 

[rockm]

Okay thank you. My biggest fear was that it would go through a temp change, then repot, then another temp change and it would die.

Unless that temp change was below freezing it doesn’t matter. BTW. This tree belongs outside come winter. Coddling temperate zone species leads to bad places. Your elm is not some hothouse orchid. It is a well adapted to living outside in California. And BTW putting your location (state) in your avatar to the left would stop us from having to scroll back in the thread to find out where your tree is. Location and climate are the most important factor in providing answers)

 

[Mushroommonkeyy]

Unless that temp change was below freezing it doesn’t matter. BTW. This tree belongs outside come winter. Coddling temperate zone species leads to bad places. Your elm is not some hothouse orchid. It is a well adapted to living outside in California. And BTW putting your location (state) in your avatar to the left would stop us from having to scroll back in the thread to find out where your tree is. Location and climate are the most important factor in providing answers)

I’m in Nebraska but the tree came from California. I have it in the shade outside now. When should I bring it out into a sunny location?

 

[rockm]

I’m in Nebraska but the tree came from California. I have it in the shade outside now. When should I bring it out into a sunny location?

Now

 

[Mushroommonkeyy]

Now

Okay, thank you for all the help. I’m very new to this. How much sun should it get each day? Seems like youtube videos give various answers. I’ve seen anywhere from 6 hours to all day.

 

[rockm]

Okay, thank you for all the help. I’m very new to this. How much sun should it get each day? Seems like youtube videos give various answers. I’ve seen anywhere from 6 hours to all day.

At 5 b probably four hours in the morning. Shade afternoon for now. Should be full sun but let it sprout some new leaves