bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - My new Seiju: Advice/Tips appreciated

Hello Yeksi, Your tree looks nice and healthy. Seiju Elms grow long branches quickly and need frequent trimming.

I have had one for over 15 years as a bonsai and it is now in the ground here in Michigan.
They are hardy from zone 3 to zone 10 so not to worry about a little frost.
I took mine to Florida to zone 10 for approx. 5 years. There it never lost all of it's leaves, sort of a semi-dormancy. My tree is now 54" tall with a trunk of 2" dia.

I have airlayered branches from it several times with ease.

Here in Michigan however it loses all the leaves and then regrows with much vigor in spring.
I trim the long leggy growth several times during the summer. Always leave at least one set of leaves on a branch when pruning.

And yes you can prune the hanging branches as well as the others. Top down pruning only meant to start at the top I am sure. However it makes no difference where you start. Thinning your tree out is important so to allow light to the inner branching. This will allow you to see the branching so as to better "style" your tree.

Prune in early spring before bud break. and then again as the tree needs it after all leaves are open.
Seiju can have many branches going in many directions, so prune to keep them from looking tangled. Use good bonsai practice as to pruning, taking out crossing branches especially.

As for watering, the need of the tree is solely dependent on the amount of light and wind it is exposed to. So checking as you are doing is fine.

Be sure to pot it into a well draining soil.
Your tree does not need as much sun as you are giving it at present, mine gets only about 3 hours direct sun and indirect light from the north for the remainder of the day.

Good luck and enjoy your tree, Hector

__________________
http://www.tellys.com

http://www.Fourseasonsbonsai.com
The original Four Seasons Bonsai Club of Michigan.
Guest master in August is Pedro Morales on August 30, 31 demo and workshop.
Tellys Greenhouse, 3301 John R road, Troy Mi. 48083

Four Seasons Bonsai Club meetings monthly.
Troy, Michigan

"Anything is possible when you don't know what you are doing"................someone famous I think.

12-Jan-2006	#3
Repotter Hec DeBrabant Join Date: Nov-2004 Location: Southern Michigan Country: USA USDA Zone: 5 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 984	Nice tree Hello Yeksi, Your tree looks nice and healthy. Seiju Elms grow long branches quickly and need frequent trimming. I have had one for over 15 years as a bonsai and it is now in the ground here in Michigan. They are hardy from zone 3 to zone 10 so not to worry about a little frost. I took mine to Florida to zone 10 for approx. 5 years. There it never lost all of it's leaves, sort of a semi-dormancy. My tree is now 54" tall with a trunk of 2" dia. I have airlayered branches from it several times with ease. Here in Michigan however it loses all the leaves and then regrows with much vigor in spring. I trim the long leggy growth several times during the summer. Always leave at least one set of leaves on a branch when pruning. And yes you can prune the hanging branches as well as the others. Top down pruning only meant to start at the top I am sure. However it makes no difference where you start. Thinning your tree out is important so to allow light to the inner branching. This will allow you to see the branching so as to better "style" your tree. Prune in early spring before bud break. and then again as the tree needs it after all leaves are open. Seiju can have many branches going in many directions, so prune to keep them from looking tangled. Use good bonsai practice as to pruning, taking out crossing branches especially. As for watering, the need of the tree is solely dependent on the amount of light and wind it is exposed to. So checking as you are doing is fine. Be sure to pot it into a well draining soil. Your tree does not need as much sun as you are giving it at present, mine gets only about 3 hours direct sun and indirect light from the north for the remainder of the day. Good luck and enjoy your tree, Hector __________________ http://www.tellys.com http://www.Fourseasonsbonsai.com The original Four Seasons Bonsai Club of Michigan. Guest master in August is Pedro Morales on August 30, 31 demo and workshop. Tellys Greenhouse, 3301 John R road, Troy Mi. 48083 Four Seasons Bonsai Club meetings monthly. Troy, Michigan "Anything is possible when you don't know what you are doing"................someone famous I think.