Dying or not

[yanster57]

Hi, I hope you can help me. I am new to bonsai's. My Chinese elm bonsai is looking a bit on the worrying side just now, and I am not sure what to do next.
Also I have no idea if it is an indoor or outdoor plant, I have been keeping it indoors. Can you advise please.

Any help at all would appreciated.
I have attached a couple of pics.

 

[BrianBay9]

I'm guessing your soil retains too much water. In other words, you're watering too frequently. Does the white, outer pot have drain holes in the bottom? If not and you're watering as is, then your tree sits in a pond most of the time.

1. All trees prefer outdoor life when possible. You don't say where you live, but if you're in an area that does not have a severe winter you should probably get that tree outside. Chinese elms can do OK indoors in the winter, but would prefer to be outside once spring arrives.

2. Water only when the soil starts to dry out. Take the inner pot out of the outer pot to water and drain and only put it back when it's done. Next spring if you still have a live tree, repot it into better soil - bonsai soil if you can buy some. Lowes and Home Depot often have "cactus soil" that would be an improvement on what you have now.

Good luck

 

[AshleyMammal]

I’ve seen much more sickly Chinese Elms than yours shoot quickly back into life when they get an improvement in conditions.

Judging by your wheelie bin (!?) you’re in the UK like me. My Chinese Elms are outside all year round but, whilst we’re not a cold climate, I’d be wary of the shock of putting it outside now just before frosts/cold arrive. Listen to @BrianBay9 above and improve your watering, keep indoors for now and then in spring, repot with some better draining soil and get it outside. Be aware that organic soil can become hydrophobic when it dries out, meaning that when you do water it, the water then just runs off the surface without getting into the soil mass.

 

[yanster57]

Thank you guys, will take your advice onboard, and aye Ashley, I am in the UK, just up the road in West Yorkshire.

Cheers