Chinese Elm leaves

splinter

Newbie,
When you purchased your tree at the garden center, was it outside in a green house? If so, the tree has been used to being outside in the natural elements. It could be that it will need to remain outside in order to stay healthy. Depending on the temperature of your house, the humidity level, etc., the tree might prefer the outside climate. I'm familiar with the climate in the Netherlands, and my thought is that the tree would do better outdoors. If you choose to keep the tree indoors, you might want to use a grow light for several hours of the day, since it doesn't get much direct sunlight. Good luck! (btw, do you live near Lisse?)

Oh yeah...and are you only spraying the soil with a misting bottle? I have maybe misunderstood, but if that's how you're watering, it's probably not getting down to the roots.

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NewBie

he thank you for your reply

Where i bought the tree it was inside but with a roof of glass i think. But it was indoors and the leaves looked better then. What the temperature is in my room im not sure of cuz i got my window open very often (maybe that's not right?).
And about that growlight, is that a normal light or something special for bonsai?
About the sprayiong your right, i only use the spray but i'll open it up from now on so it get's to the roots.

And about Lisse, well..it's near amsterdam and about 35 miles from me.

And damn what would i like tomhave my bonsai healthy again. It's not nice when your first one already goes bad

NewBie

ooh forgot to ask this:
am i overwatering or underwatering??

Jose_Alberto

I understood that you were watering and then spraying...

Well, if you are only spraying, then you maybe are underwatering, but if you water it and then spray it, you're maybe overwatering, well, the idea behind watering, is to give the tree the water when it needs it, not with a schedule...

As an example, here in Guatemala we're in such a thing called "canícula" that is a time in the middle of the rainy season, when you can have full sun and the next day a stormy rain, so what I do, is something that you can do to know when to water, and when don't water...

I learned this trick here, and had posted it for a few times, but I will keep doing this because I find it really important... The trick is to stick a chopstick or a skewer stick in the soil, then use it as a meter, before watering take out the stick and check the soil moist, if the stick is wet, don't water, and if it's dry, oopss... you've gone to far, water it quickly...

The idea is to water when the stick is starting to dry, I don't know well elms (I don't have one indeed), but you can check for the species info, because if it needs lots of water you must give it to the tree, if it needs to dryout before getting more water, you must let it dryout. So, the species specific you can check them in Bonsai BCI

Good luck with your tree...

__________________
Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

Jose_Alberto

__________________
Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

Jose_Alberto

I now believe you're underwatering, because the page says that it needs lots of water... well, good bye now...

__________________
Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

splinter

Newbie,
The "grow light" is different from regular incandescent light. It is more like the sun's light. It's not especially for bonsai, but for any indoor grown plant or plants that don't receive enough natural sunlight. You may not need it, but you had said that the neighbor's balcony overhangs and cuts down on your light, so it could help take the place of the natural sunlight. Also, remember that bonsai just like any other plant, drinks through it's roots. If the watering isn't sufficient enough to drip through the drain holes in the bottom of the pot after you have just watered, then it's most likely not getting enough water. Just be careful to not over water. Like Jose suggested, put a stick on the soil to check for moisture. Kind of like checking to see if a cake is done by poking a toothpick into it's center to see if it comes out clean. As for the window being open, I don't think that would hurt anything.

Also...IF by some chance this little elm doesn't make it - any of us who have gotten interested in bonsai, have all had our share of misfortunes. It's how you learn.

TreeBay

From the description it seems that this tree (like most others with problems) is not located well and possibly being overwatered.

Please check the ***FAQ*** on watering and get it out into some sunshine.

Regards,

Matt

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NewBie

First i would like to thank you all for the help

:S overwatered, underwatered. Matt says overwatered and Jose underwatered.
I dont want to be a pain in the ass now..but, who is right? If i have to believe what the page says it maybe is underwatered cuz i only sprayed the soil but i dont know if that's connected with the dry and crispy leaves.