Chinese Elm Help!

Question

I really need help with my Chinese elm! I’ve had it a year and it was doing well initially, but then leaves started falling and only stayed consistently attached when I watered it every 2 days which I know is overkill.

Lots of the branches are bendy with green interior on inspection so I don’t think it is a lost cause! Could it be a fungal issue? It’s always been in this pot and I’ve noticed some discolouration around the pot edges where it meets the soil.

Background: it’s on a north-west facing window sill and receives indirect sunlight for most of the day. I have attached some close up photos to help.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! 🙏🏼

#Bonsai #ChineseElm #PlantTherapy #SadPlant #helpneeded #help

@OrangeGrass · Answer

Hello Charlotte, have you checked its root ball to see if it’s root bound? Needing to water so often is usually a sign of a plant being root bound. Or it could be that the soil has become hydrophobic which results in water not being absorbed by the soil.

@TheConservator · Answer

Its a bonsai its suppose to be root bound.  Are you bottom watering it ? Is that salts build up on the rim if the pot ? Do you use distilled water ?

@TheConservator · Answer

Its not a necessity to use distilled but if you have hard water it buikds up fast with bonsai

@TheConservator · Answer

Or even if you dont salts and minerals still build up fast. Especially if your top watering

@TheConservator · Answer

And there just noway a nw windows giving ut enough light   Its a tree even if itsca tiny one. Still needs a direct sun or extremely bright indirect 6-8 hrs min . A small bright plant light woukd work too

@SuperbRaspfern · Answer

Your tree is fine you bought it in December, it is going through dormancy.  I have 5 of them as bonsai.  They drop their leaves every winter when the days get shorter.   Even in CA indoors where I am.

As the days get longer she will rapidly fill back in.  She’s beautiful by the way!  Even without her leaves.  I can’t wait to see her this spring!

When they are dormant you can allow them do dry out a little bit Chinese elms don’t like to be completely dry.

Don’t add light, she needs this period of rest!

Most of all don’t panic 🫨 she is only taking a nap!

@SuperbRaspfern · Answer

PS I’ve always used tap water in mine with no issues whatsoever, Chinese elms 🌳 are not that picky.  They are a great beginner tree.

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