New Chinese Elm, Should I Repot?

chkaplan

Hey again all!

Below is a recent purchase from Brussel's. I feel like the pot is way too small for the tree though, especially if I would like it to grow a lot bigger...

What do you think? Can I repot a Chinese Elm at this time?

Any and all input is valuable and appreciated.
Rgds
C.

Attached Images

Chinese Elm.jpg (56.2 KB, 66 views)

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Bonsai Barry

Although my taste in potting has always been questionable, I don't find the size of this pot objectionable at all. However, if you want it to thicken out, it would be foolish to keep it in its current home.

A photo with the pot at eye level would be helpful to others more experienced than me in assessing your situation.

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chkaplan

Maybe this will give you a better idea. I doesn't look too small compared to the tree, but the inside of the pot is very compact due to so many roots. I can barely get a chopstick down into the soil. The soil itself is great though, very free draining.

Rgds
Chris

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Chinese Elm1.jpg (65.8 KB, 33 views)

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sauce

Hi Chris, assuming your in N.Y. and also assuming you received the tree recently I would give it time to become acclimated to its new enviroment and get over the shock of being in a box for several days before doing anything. I would give it two weeks to a month to acclimate so that you are sure it is happy and healthy. Sometimes a new enviroment will somewhat weaken a tree as it adapts to the new climate. If you've had the tree a while and it is doing well it should be ok to repot now.

chkaplan

Sauce,

The tree has been here with me for about 3 weeks. It has grown a lot since I got it, as new buds/leaves are sprouting everywhere. She seems happy here, but just to be safe, I'll give her a few more weeks before I repot. I just repotted a Ficus into a training pot, so want to see if she likes her new home first also....

Thanks for your input on both my threads!
Rgds
Chris

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sauce

Sounds as though you are doing it right! Did you purchase some of Brussels soil? His premixed soil is excellent IMO, well worth the costs until you're ready to mix your own. Good Luck with your trees, are you growing them indoors or out?

chkaplan

Got the soil from Bonsai of Brooklyn actually. Looks like a good mix of organic and inorganic material, but will have to wait and see how the Ficus likes it. I'm growing the Ficus indoors, but she's out in the sun a lot these days. The Chinese Elm gets the sun mostly all day, and she's grown outdoors (Can you grow Chinese Elm indoors as well?).

Rgds
Chris

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Ralph

Chris, I would not grow Chinese elm indoors unless you want long internodes, and poor ramification. Chinese elm love full sun, and a dormancy during winter.

Check with your local club for local expertise on how to over winter them. Repotting should be done in late winter early spring just before bud break, so wait till next year to repot. Here are some helpful links from recognized chinese elm authorities:

http://www.bonsaivillage.net/elmPinching.php

http://www.dallasbonsai.com/bonsai_...ChineseElm.html

http://www.dallasbonsai.com/bonsai_...hineseElm2.html

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