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Originally Posted by bonsainotwar
Everybody who buys these trees (Chinese Elms)seems to think they are indoor trees,and are often erroneously sold as such.But they are outside trees. Search the forum,this is a common topic,others have covered this in greater detail here.
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When I lived in BC, I had two chinese elm that lived inside through most of the year and they thrived. I think the secret was a very large bright window and no heat vents near them. I've also grown them outdoors and they wintered over under a pile of snow very well too. Right now, I've got a crop of cuttings in a room with great windows and no heat on (because I'm not using the room at all) and they are in semi dormancy. I also have a bunch of cuttings in an enclosed "rooting" jar, and they look fabulous and they are developing roots even though it is most definitely not the "growing" season. I also have a couple miniature roses growing in the same room and they are flowering alongside the elms. It's touchier inside, but it can be done.
Maybe if you were to stick your elms inside a clear plastic bag, seal it so that the bag won't sag down around the pot, and then just put a couple slashes in the sides so that you don't develop mold problems. The improvement in humidity might help your plants get over their difficulties. As spring approaches, you would add/enlarge the slashes to gradually ween them off the hospital tent. Hope this helps.