Saving my tree...

[dhelix33]

I saw my Chinese Elm was showing signs of root water-rot, and appearing to be slowly dying one leaf and one branch at a time - surviving rather than thriving. This tree experienced a first winter here that averaged 40 degrees, and never getting to dormant [and a caretaker who just kept the soil too wet during the winter] with the small pot-bound tree showing it was cramped up and not doing well when I peeked under the surface. Have read Spring/early Summer are go-to repotting seasons - so I repotted my Chinese Elm in a larger pot in early Summer. I cleaned and trimmed the roots to remove the dark colored and packed root pack - and repotted in a larger pot with [a small amount] of fertilizer and layered bonsai soils as seen and suggested by other growers. The tree resides in our sunroom with bright direct light for a few hours in the morning - indirect light remainder of the day [I have been babysitting with extra light during the root taking in nutrients and leaf growth. Keeping an eye on my bonsai tree this Summer - it has been hot [temps. in the 90's and mid-90's end of JUN, with JUL. looking to be as hot [or hotter].

Lesson learned - Need to water sparingly after this repotting. Instead of drowning find the balance of moisture and dryness that works for the tree. The intent is to keep the soil moist when needed - but not waterlogged [I want to avoid the root rot this tree experienced at my hand previously]. Have posted a series of images. The first three images posted are of my Chinese Elm tree immediately after I repotted it [near death] in a slightly larger pot [after its winter of discontent]. The following images show how it is recovering/reviving today. I am pleased with the amount of leaf growth spreading in just three weeks post repot.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I’m glad to see the tree recovering, and as I understand repotting, broadly, the reduction of roots reduces the amount of water needed… especially when kept in the original container purchased from a nursery. I think the transcends pots and environments.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Nice job. I feel like repotting time for these in north carolina is probably closer to March April than early summer but maybe different if kept inside.

 

[dhelix33]

Got a question;
Anyone else experience a Chinese Elm in a sunroom environment that averages 40º F over the winter? I reside in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina.

 

[BrightsideB]

Got a question;
Anyone else experience a Chinese Elm in a sunroom environment that averages 40º F over the winter? I reside in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina.

I’ve seen people put them in the in a sunroom for winter. Elms from what I’ve read do not need much dormancy. I would consider and look into keeping it outdoors during the growing seasons though.

 

[penumbra]

I have dozens of elms art many stages. The only one I ever killed was being wintered in my plant room.

 

[BrightsideB]

I have dozens of elms art many stages. The only one I ever killed was being wintered in my plant room.

What do you think the cause was? Lack of dormancy? I keep them all outside. One thing that has made me love elms more and more for bonsai is how resilient and hardy they are. A rabbit ate all the leaves of one I had basically cut all the roots off of during spring close to the trunk. And it’s growing back all new leaves totally healthy and filled the pot with new roots. I think that defoliation has been good for it lol.

 

[dhelix33]

I have dozens of elms art many stages. The only one I ever killed was being wintered in my plant room.

I only have this one.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Probably good to get it outside year round in your climate.