Chinese Elm dying after repotting

drjdh

I have a Chinese Elm that I have had for about 1.5 years now. I have kept it outside until about 1 month ago, when I brought it in to prevent freezing. It has been doing well in a bay window (facing North) under a 4 foot double bulb flourescent gro-lite placed roughly 1.5 foot above the leaftop. Last week I decided to repot the plant(s) (there are actually two of them). I researched a good soil mixture: 30% Akadama, 30% Japanese grit, 40% Perlite. After washing the rootbase and trimming the roots I repotted the plants, using a layer of pea gravel at the bottom of the pot. The drainage, I must say, is excellent. Since repotting I have been watering them roughly 1 time per day (previously potted with 50%dirt,50%mulch I watered once per week during the winter without problems). Now, after replanting, the leaves seem wilted, some new growth that is present is drying up and falling off. I did have a minor infestation with spider mites that I have been struggling with for months, but I can never get fully rid of in one of the plants. Any ideas? I am concerned that the soil may not be adequate for the plant, or the root ball trim may have stressed out the plant.

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Joanie

The trees may be too dry because of moving inside, combined with a root trim. Raise the humidity if you can. If you used a spray for the red mites it could also have caused your leaves to fall, apparently Chinese Elm doesn't like some sprays (sorry, can't remember which ones)

Someone else will come on with more info, but that's a guess anyway.

Joanie

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midwestbonsai

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Joanie

Duh! Didn't catch that one... thanks, Paul....!! Yes, please do fill in your info.
Joanie

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Aaron_K

Hi Drjdh,


Repotting is always stressful on a tree and it is more than likely that the root prune has shocked the tree, causing the leaves to drop. If you went a bit mad with the scissors and removed a little too much, then there won't be sufficient root mass to support the foliage. As a result, excess foliage withers and dies and sometimes branches too.

Your soil should be perfectly fine. The mixture you have will drain very well, which is what you want in bonsai, a soil that drains quickly, but retains moisture for the roots.

For now, I would just leave the tree alone. Let it recover on its own. Water when required. If there is a radiator in the bay window, either switch it off, or move the tree elsewhere. In a week or two, scratch the bark on some of the branches and the base of the trunk to see if the cambium layer underneath is still green. If it is, there is still hope for your elms. If not.. then you have a finished bonsai.

Fingers crossed.

All the best,

Aaron

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