bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Chinese Elm dying after repotting

Hi Drjdh,

Repotting is always stressful on a tree and it is more than likely that the root prune has shocked the tree, causing the leaves to drop. If you went a bit mad with the scissors and removed a little too much, then there won't be sufficient root mass to support the foliage. As a result, excess foliage withers and dies and sometimes branches too.

Your soil should be perfectly fine. The mixture you have will drain very well, which is what you want in bonsai, a soil that drains quickly, but retains moisture for the roots.

For now, I would just leave the tree alone. Let it recover on its own. Water when required. If there is a radiator in the bay window, either switch it off, or move the tree elsewhere. In a week or two, scratch the bark on some of the branches and the base of the trunk to see if the cambium layer underneath is still green. If it is, there is still hope for your elms. If not.. then you have a finished bonsai.

Fingers crossed.

All the best,

Aaron

__________________
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode

Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores!

"A fox may change its skin but never its character"

12-Jan-2006	#5
Aaron_K bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Mar-2004 Country: England USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 1,477	Hi Drjdh, Repotting is always stressful on a tree and it is more than likely that the root prune has shocked the tree, causing the leaves to drop. If you went a bit mad with the scissors and removed a little too much, then there won't be sufficient root mass to support the foliage. As a result, excess foliage withers and dies and sometimes branches too. Your soil should be perfectly fine. The mixture you have will drain very well, which is what you want in bonsai, a soil that drains quickly, but retains moisture for the roots. For now, I would just leave the tree alone. Let it recover on its own. Water when required. If there is a radiator in the bay window, either switch it off, or move the tree elsewhere. In a week or two, scratch the bark on some of the branches and the base of the trunk to see if the cambium layer underneath is still green. If it is, there is still hope for your elms. If not.. then you have a finished bonsai. Fingers crossed. All the best, Aaron __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores! "A fox may change its skin but never its character"