Aaron_K

Hi Andy,

If you can smell an "earthy" smell, that's good. If the smell is more like rotten eggs or sulphurous, then that's bad. As for your new soil mix, it will work fine for your location. Soils can be 100% organic, 100% inorganic (which you have) or a mix of both.

If you are going to use compost in the future, purchase a soil sieve set, and remove all the fine particles. The dust is what helps kill roots. When it becomes wet, it makes a swamp in your pot. Waterlogged soil = no room for air, which roots need too. After continued saturation, the roots suffocate, die, then rot.

Put your tree outside! It will appreciate the sunlight and air circulation. The perlite/sand mix will drain extremely fast and rain will not harm it. In fact, if you were to run the hose over it, I bet water wouldn't even pool on the surface. Just be careful that it doesn't dry out on hot days. August is tipped as going to be the hottest on record, although looking outside at the drizzling rain - I can't see it myself lol.

As you are using 100% inorganic components as your soil medium, you will need to use fertilizers in order for the tree to grow. Purchase something like babybio and use at half the manufacturers recommended dosage. Feed from March to October (or whenever the tree breaks bud till it loses its leaves).

Chinese elms will lose their leaves come autumn if left outside, so that is nothing to worry about. Give it a bit of protection from frosts and cold winds during the winter months. Putting it in a shed or garage would be a good choice, as they require no light when out of leaf - but keep an eye out for rodents digging the soil look for something to eat! Water only when the soil begins to dry out in the winter, as the trees requirements are greatly reduced as there is no foliage to "fuel".

You could bring it inside during the winter. This will mean it won't lose its leaves. However, trees tend to be a bit weaker if not given a dormancy period. Both of mine stay outside, and even got snowed on a few times. When this happens I move them under the shelter, as snow has a habit of melting during the day, soaking your soil, and then freezing the following night. Frozen roots can result in damaged or dead trees! A good tip to remember is - What happens below the soil surface affects what you see above it.

I'd also recommend purchasing a couple of books on bonsai as this will help you significantly. Ebay is a good place to look. I get all mine from there and have paid a fraction of the RRP for them. Anything by Harry Tomlinson, Peter Chan, Craig Coussins or Herb L Gustafson is a good place to start.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Aaron