Falling leaves in a Zelkova Serrata

speculare

I was given a bonsai, Zelkova Zerrata 1 year ago.
I mostly keep the bonsai inside behind a window, but for some periods also tried to keep it outside. Even when keeping it inside it spends some time in the sun 3 to 4 days a week.
I used fertilizer once a month although at the current growing season I hadn’t fed it for about 3 months, by mistake.
I water it by upside, as soon as the soil gets dry, or slightly after, but spray it regularly especially when it’s outside.
The soil used is the original one, although at last’s year growing season, I moved it to a different pot, but used the same soil with some extra normal soil. The new pot is deeper than the original one (twice as deep).
I’ve been basically cutting the branches that grow beyond the original shape.
My problem:
Soon after I got the bonsai the original small and dark green leaves started to fall down.
After almost everyone had fallen they began to grow again, but this time larger ones and a much more lighter green.
This has been happening for the last 6 months… As soon as all leaves fall, they start to grow again, independently of the season, and the leaves are bigger and of a lighter green than originally.

What may I be doing wrong? Please help me.
Thanks
Luís Gomes

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Jay

Hi there.....This is advise from a novice. I have Zelkova....I have always believed this tree to be an outdoor only type tree. I live in Zone 5b/6a and have had it outdoors all year, every year. During the winter it goes into my unheated garage for the dormant period it requires.

As for the dropping of leaves, has this tree had a chance at being dormant? It may be trying to go dormant even though the temp is incorect. As for the bigger leaves....One thing that will make the tree produce larger leaves is if it does not receive enough light. Less light....larger leaves (this way it can get more light per leaf).

As for your soil...I do not understand 'normal' soil. Is this regular potting soil...garden soil.... Bonsai soil? You also do not state your location as to the weather and temps in your local. Hope this is a bit of a help!
J

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zeb

I also had a zelkova serrata. It was inside a year round and it did well until the spring after purchase (nearly a whole year after purchase). Then it started dropping it's leaves just like you described. It got worse and worse 'til it died because it was attacked by mealybug.
I don't know if these two things have some kind of connection. Probably the tree was weakened because it didn't go dormant and mealybugs thought it was a good catch.


Zeb

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ripsgreentree

Hi guys: The problem with both of these trees is trying to make them indoor bonsai when they are not. The inside of your home is a dry desert invironment and your tree's are wanting a much more humid invironment. To keep them indoors is to create an invironment that they can servive in. You can also force a falce dormancy by defoliating your tree. People who have fruit trees in arizona have no cold weather for dormancy so there cycle goes like this. Flower fruit grow pruin and defoliate rest and flower again. You get two sets of fruit a year as the cycle is six months. good luck with your attempts at indoor bonsai.........ripsgreentree

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