Chinese Elm

Yandrosxx

Can chinese elm be kept indoors year round? Do all varieties of chinese elm need a winter dormancy period or can some be kept indoors through winter with no dormancy?

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AndyWilson

I personally give all my chinese elms a dormancy, this can ensure that they do not over exert themselves by growing all year round. They naturally get dormancy so i would try to keep them they way they would live in the wild.

I am no expert though and so lets see what the others think!

Aaron_K

Hi Yandros,

Yes they can be kept indoors year round provided that they have sufficient lighting. Although sold as "Indoor" bonsai, no tree is an indoor tree, its just that some will tolerate the reduced light levels and humidity that comes with it.

Outside with the elements is much more suitable, provided that the tree isn't subjected to extremes. There are people who don't allow their trees dormancy and others that do. Mine are outside 365 and didn't go dormant despite the weather being consistently below 10c/50f for most of the winter.

If you wish to keep them indoors, I'd at least suggest keeping them outside for the summer months to take full advantage of the sunshine.

As for other varieties of Chinese elm such as Seiju, I couldn't say for certain as I have no direct experience with them.

Hope that helps,

Aaron

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Yandrosxx

Thanks Andy,

It's growing very well at the moment. I only bring it in during the winter months when temps drop below 20F.

I have a sunrrom at home for my tropicals. I, however, bring my various tropicals into my office from time to time. I rotate them every so often. I have supplemental high pressure lighting in the office and a full southern exposure as well. The sunlight shines in my office pretty much all day.

And it's a nice elm and I was considering putting it into the rotation so to speak.

I keep reading from time to time that they can be grown as an "indoor" tree, but was wondering if that's true of all varieties.