Fletch

Howdy and welcome JD;

I'm afraid I don't get time to browse the bonsai sites too often lately so I missed you when you first posted back in October. It's been quite a while since I noticed any bonsaiist's in Calgary on here. (I believe Acoustico is still lurking out there but he's the only one I'm aware of that appears to still be active).

I'm afraid I have no direct experience with Chinese Elms but I would say that since you found the cambium green that you have a reasonable chance to revive it. I wouldn't have soaked it quite so long (overnight) but you probably haven't made things any worse. I would imagine its just a waiting game now.

If its in a cold room, was it completely dormant (i.e. leaves changed / dropping) before this incident or was it still green and just slowed down? If it was completely dormant then you may have to wait till spring to know whether it will come back or not.

My own collection has suffered a great deal in the past few years due to having to move (no cold room anymore) and being away a lot for work (relying on family to remember to water, etc.). I've lost a fair few of my trees and am now basically starting over with a few 'twigsai' and some older trees in bad need of styling / maintenance.

Your profile mentions you are a member of the 'Foothills Area Bonsai Society'. I'd appreciate it if you could pass on their contact info. As far as I knew there hasn't been an active club in the area for quite a few years and I'd be interested in getting in touch with them and possibly joining them.

Anyway, keep your fingers crossed and don't get too anxious with poking around your tree, just be patient let it rest and recover on its own.

BTW, when I had a cold room my pomegranates and other tender trees didn't require much watering at all. Once lightly every couple weeks seemed to work just fine, much more and I got moulds and things growing and actually had some die of root rot...

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Regards
Fletch