Japanese Grey-bark Elm, Ref. 2870

Japanese Grey-bark Elm (Zelkova carpinifolia). Native to South Korea, China and Japan. This deciduous tree is elegant and easy to grow. The serrated dark green leaves change color from light green in spring to bright yellow, orange and red in autumn. The crown shape has a natural broom form, perfect for bonsai.

Temperature conditions
Optimal temperature for growing from +15°C to + 25°C.

Location
Japanese elm can be kept indoors, but in the summer it needs to be outside in a shaded place. The plant needs protection from the cold, so in the fall, when the temperature starts to drop, it should be brought into the house. In spring, you can put the tree outside again, provided there are no night frosts.
The plant likes lighted places, but not under the direct rays of the sun, from which the trunk can quickly overheat. It is necessary to ensure that the tree is lighted from all sides evenly for this pot is periodically rotated.

Soil
Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.0 - 7.0.
Specialized bonsai soil or a mixture of akadama, pumice and organic soil can be used.

Watering
Needs regular watering. The soil should not be overwatered. During dry and hot weather, the plant should be sprayed periodically.
Water should be cleaned of impurities, especially calcium. It is necessary to stand the water for at least 3 days.

Fertilization
No fertilizing during winter, after leaf fall. After bud opening in spring, feed weekly with a high nitrogen fertilizer for the first month, then with organic fertilizer once a month throughout the growing season.

Repotting
Performed every 2-3 years to renew soil and prune roots. Repotting is best done in early spring. If the tree is in a shallow container transplant every 1-2 years.

Shaping and pruning
Regular pruning is important to maintain the shape of the bonsai. Elm trees are usually shaped solely by pinching and pruning, but wire can also be used. Wiring can be done anytime from late spring (after leaves appear) to mid-fall.
Pruning is done in winter when the branch structure is clearly visible. Foliage is developed by pinching new shoots during the growing season. When new shoots have at least 4 leaves, you should pinch to the 2 leaves.

To reduce the size of the leaves, they are removed, leaving only the shoots on the branches. In response, the tree will produce a second set of leaves, smaller than the first. It is not recommended to do a full leaf set pruning the same year the tree is transplanted into a pot.

Winterization
Japanese elms should be grown outdoors whenever possible. Trees grown indoors can remain evergreen, whereas growing outdoors will produce a deciduous tree. Care must be taken to ensure that trees do not freeze over when frosts occur. Elms usually though can cope with unfavorable conditions indoors, but they will not be as vigorous as when grown outdoors.

When overwintering indoors, you need a well-lit, cool spot on a sunny windowsill throughout the winter. Humidity levels should be controlled - dry air dangerous for plant. Put outside in the spring after the last frosts are over. Keep outdoors - until fall, when the leaves fall naturally.

When wintered outdoors, acclimatized elms are hardy to light frosts, but temperatures below -5°C can cause thin branches to die back and damage roots, so they should be protected. Frost protection can include housing in cool buildings and garages.  Trees do not need light when they are leafless.

Age: 6 years. Height: 21 cm.

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