My new Ebay purchase!

edwardorino

Hello All!

I just won this on Ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...DME:B:EOAB:US:6

I have a few questions:

1. What do you think of this Chinese Elm?

2. Did I pay too much?

3. Has anyone dealt with Tom Glatz? He seems like a nice guy. He was very prompt with my questions. Before I bidded, I asked him when was the last repotting (Spring 2005), and if he would send me a close-up of the exposed roots. I was happy with both answers!

4. Would you make this bonsai an "indoor" tree or would you let it go dormant in the winter? I live in Bloomington, IN USA, and the winters here are pretty mild. There is a little snow, and some below freezing temperature days.

5. How would you "improve" this bonsai?

6. Any Ebay horror stories to give me some anxiety before the tree arrives?

Thanks for everyone's help. This forum has been very kind!

Thanks!

Eddy

Advertisement

edwardorino

Hmm, 47 views and no responses. Does anyone have an opinion?

Bart Thomas(deceased)

SOrry about the slow answer....

Looks like a bargain, as long as shipping doesn't eat you alive.

Chinese Elms have one major vice. Once you trim them, if you turn your back, you have to trim them again!

You'll find great articles about care and training of them on this site by Thomas J. Also on the Dallas Bonsai Garden site .

As for wintering, some leave them out for some modest cold snaps, then bring them in. Ask at your local club and at nurseries in your area. The ones I work with live in a greenhouse year-round (they're not mine), so I can't really advise you on this.

edwardorino

Shipping is about $20.00. Not to shabby. I have 5 trees with the elm included. I've been quite the mother hen, uh, I mean father rooster! I've snuck out of work to check in on them and stuff. The trees are driving my gf crazy, and she won't let me get another one.

Gnome

Eddy:



I have dealt with Tom in person before and he is indeed a decent guy. I purchased a similar Elm from him last spring and as I recall paid roughly twice what you did, so even with shipping you did OK.



As far as whether this tree should be over wintered indoors, apparently some growers treat this species as a tropical, however I kept mine outdoors all summer allowing it to experience a few frosts in the fall before bringing it into an unheated, attached, garage. The temperature inside only dipped below freezing a minimal number of days and probably only for a few hours each night. The tree went dormant, was repotted this spring and is now doing fine. I only have one winter under my belt with this tree so I am by no means an expert.



The first summer I had a problem with black spot, I removed the effected leaves and sprayed with Daconil. This season I have seen next to none. Try not to wet the foliage when you water, especially if the weather has been damp.



Concerning improving your tree, don’t be too hasty; you might be better off using the remainder of this season to let the tree recover from its recent repotting and the stress of shipping. You might have to do a little pinching back as the new shoots elongate. I hope this helps you.



Norm