Hello I joined this forum to get some tips on a poor looking Ulmus parvifolia 'Seiju Dwarf'. I am not familiar with the hobby of bonsai plants, but I inherited one unexpectedly.
The plant is part of a small table top fairy garden that belonged to a family member who has passed away. No one was interested in it and I felt it deserved at least a chance to continue. I have no greenthumb but the other plants (stonecrop, perenial flowers) look good. The small Ulmus parvifolia does look very poor though.
From as much as I can tell the fairy garden has always been outdoors. The Seiju is only a couple years old and I wouldnt consider it an active bonsai more like one that was planted and forgotten. It is planted in the general soil of the entire fairy garden. The fairy garden dirt looks like average potting mix, dirt and perlite. I know there were bags of Fox Farm dirt, cactus mix and seedling mix at the home when I picked up the garden.
It is in the US state of Ohio right on the border of zone 6a and 5b according to the zone map. Snowy and cold winters and this recent winter did have negative temperatures.
Within the last month the weather has been up and down with 85 degree days and also 50-60 degree cold fronts off and on. Today is cold and windy and within two days it will be back to 80 degrees, typical Ohio rollercoaster weather.
Since it has been neglected until I claimed it, I believe it has survived off of rain water. With a stretch of rainy weather it has probably received too much and I have moved it to where it is blocked from rain so it can dry out. I have not watered or fertilized it as drying out is the priority.
It has dead brown leaves and dry branches that snap off with just a touch, but also has green sprouts in some areas.
I'm looking for any advice to resurrect and keep this bonsai alive as best as I can. Once it dries out I'm unsure of the next best step.
Thank you
I have attached photos
View attachment 437131
View attachment 437132
View attachment 437133
The plant is part of a small table top fairy garden that belonged to a family member who has passed away. No one was interested in it and I felt it deserved at least a chance to continue. I have no greenthumb but the other plants (stonecrop, perenial flowers) look good. The small Ulmus parvifolia does look very poor though.
From as much as I can tell the fairy garden has always been outdoors. The Seiju is only a couple years old and I wouldnt consider it an active bonsai more like one that was planted and forgotten. It is planted in the general soil of the entire fairy garden. The fairy garden dirt looks like average potting mix, dirt and perlite. I know there were bags of Fox Farm dirt, cactus mix and seedling mix at the home when I picked up the garden.
It is in the US state of Ohio right on the border of zone 6a and 5b according to the zone map. Snowy and cold winters and this recent winter did have negative temperatures.
Within the last month the weather has been up and down with 85 degree days and also 50-60 degree cold fronts off and on. Today is cold and windy and within two days it will be back to 80 degrees, typical Ohio rollercoaster weather.
Since it has been neglected until I claimed it, I believe it has survived off of rain water. With a stretch of rainy weather it has probably received too much and I have moved it to where it is blocked from rain so it can dry out. I have not watered or fertilized it as drying out is the priority.
It has dead brown leaves and dry branches that snap off with just a touch, but also has green sprouts in some areas.
I'm looking for any advice to resurrect and keep this bonsai alive as best as I can. Once it dries out I'm unsure of the next best step.
Thank you
I have attached photos
View attachment 437131
View attachment 437132
View attachment 437133
