Chinese Elm Overwatered

[JudyB]

I can see the inaccuracy with the chopstick

This is why I recommend a wooden skewer instead. It does dry out more accurately than a chopstick would as it's far thinner.

 

[LanceMac10]

A portion of my trees are in akadama, pumice and lava. Rooting around with your fingers will just break down the akadama. I mean, are you putting your finger all the way down to the bottom of the pot?

Workouts will be short lived. You'll only need to do it until you've figured how fast the moisture in your soil has evaporated. Know your soil.

 

[ConorDash]

This is why I recommend a wooden skewer instead. It does dry out more accurately than a chopstick would as it's far thinner.

Oh yes, please dont get me wrong, i cant begin to comment on that technique, Ive never done it

 

[ConorDash]

A portion of my trees are in akadama, pumice and lava. Rooting around with your fingers will just break down the akadama. I mean, are you putting your finger all the way down to the bottom of the pot?

Workouts will be short lived. You'll only need to do it until you've figured how fast the moisture in your soil has evaporated. Know your soil.

No, I poke in half or 1 finger nails length, its enough. ENough to get past the surface which is inaccurate due to wind and heat, (will always be dry on top).

But you are right. Im comfortable with the 2 different types of substrate i use and I dont tend to have to check, ill know it needs watering. Can also look at it and tell.
On top of that... if we are all using that well draining substrate, as we should, we have a VERY large margin for error as its very difficult to over water.
So we are all good!

 

[Mikecheck123]

Every couple of days we get a beginner asking about a dying Chinese elm that is kept indoors.

I didn't think that Chinese elms could be killed.

 

[LanceMac10]

Yes. But if your only sticking your finger in about what, 1/2 inch? In a three-four inch deep pot, your leaving a lot of soil and it's moisture content as an unknown.

 

[LanceMac10]

I didn't think that Chinese elms could be killed.

racked up about seven or eight over the years....they don't seem to like the drastic weather swings up here.....it snowed here in May for crying out loud.

 

[Thechineselm]

Thank you everyone for all the great feedback !
I am currently trying to figure out what is the best way to identify when to water the bonsai, today I have noticed that now I am doing the opposite of what I was doing and I am under watering the bonsai. Biggest problem that I am having is watering properly and I honestly do not know when to figure out the moment of when to water the bonsai since I am a beginner, any insights on how I can improve please? When watering the bonsai I am using a very small HAWS watering can (500ml) which waters with a very fine spray, I usually water the bonsai throughout 500ml and wait 5 mins than I water the bonsai again for another 500ml which after approximately 3 mins i start seeing a few water dripping from the drainage holes (just a few drops) and i tend to stop watering when I see the water coming through, do not know if the method which I am using is correct.

 

[Dzhokar]

This is why I recommend a wooden skewer instead. It does dry out more accurately than a chopstick would as it's far thinner.

With this method, do you leave the skewer in the pot and just remove it to check for watering?
I've always just gone by weight or feel, but this seems more accurate.

@Thechineselm I water until the water runs freely out of the bottom. You want to make sure you drench all of the substrate then don't water again until it's drying out.

 

[JudyB]

With this method, do you leave the skewer in the pot and just remove it to check for watering?
I've always just gone by weight or feel, but this seems more accurate.

@Thechineselm I water until the water runs freely out of the bottom. You want to make sure you drench all of the substrate then don't water again until it's drying out.

Yes I did that when I was starting out. Sometimes your fingers will lie to you about the moisture content, but if you put it to your cheek you can always tell. After you learn your weight/feel, then that is easier and more accurate. But for the beginner, the skewer is better.

 

[ConorDash]

Yes. But if your only sticking your finger in about what, 1/2 inch? In a three-four inch deep pot, your leaving a lot of soil and it's moisture content as an unknown.

I guess I just gauge by that amount, yes. Knowing how that feels, you can get enough of a feel for how much moisture will be in the rest of the pot.
I dunno what to tell ya, I'm not the only one and it works for me.

 

[Thechineselm]

Today I have tried the wooden skewer method, thank you for the great idea it truly shows you if the bonsai is properly watered and if it needs watering

I have found some sticky resedue attached to the leave and I am noticing small holes in some of the leaves, anyone had a goof idea on how I can get rid of the insects easily please

 

[LanceMac10]

As long as you feel it's giving accurate feedback, continue......but I can't ignore the three to four threads per spring questioning why your maple leaves are in tatters a month into spring.

 

[ConorDash]

As long as you feel it's giving accurate feedback, continue......but I can't ignore the three to four threads per spring questioning why your maple leaves are in tatters a month into spring.

Ohhh come on now! If I didn’t know better I’d have said that was a little mean! . Also a huge exaggeration lol, but I won’t go in to it. We were just having a pleasant conversation.
If watering was the only problem that affect maples, I’d be extremely happy! But, unfortunately as I’ve come to learn, maples just require different care for a number if reasons. All good learning. Maples are very different to Elms

 

[LanceMac10]

Definitely not my intention @ConorDash ! I certainly admire your obvious passion and enthusiasm!

 

[ConorDash]

Definitely not my intention @ConorDash ! I certainly admire your obvious passion and enthusiasm!

Lol thanks. Always a pleasure! I misunderstood.
You’ve convinced me to try the lifting technique though, so mission accomplished

 

[Shibui]

I have found some sticky resedue attached to the leave and I am noticing small holes in some of the leaves, anyone had a goof idea on how I can get rid of the insects easily please

Photos are always better than words. We can misinterpret what your words say and we may be able to see other factors in photos that have not occurred to you. The symptoms may be related or completely different unrelated problems. Hard to tell without good visual along with some background info.
Sticky residue is usually associated with sucking insects not with chewing insects that would leave holes in the leaves.
Treatments differ according to the type and extent of pest so hard to recommend unless we know the culprit.

 

[Thechineselm]

Photos are always better than words. We can misinterpret what your words say and we may be able to see other factors in photos that have not occurred to you. The symptoms may be related or completely different unrelated problems. Hard to tell without good visual along with some background info.
Sticky residue is usually associated with sucking insects not with chewing insects that would leave holes in the leaves.
Treatments differ according to the type and extent of pest so hard to recommend unless we know the culprit.

I am finding multiple leaves eaten out like this one and am removing all of the effected areas, how I can mitigate and stop this please ?

 

[Shibui]

Do you have elm leaf beetle there. They like English elm better but will eat Chinese elm if they have to. hard to spot because they all drop off if they sense something approaching.
I have never had any lasting damage done to Chinese elm by any chewing pests but if you are really worried an insecticide spayed on the tree should kill whatever is eating the leaves.