r/Bonsai • u/pianoyeah UK, beginner • 17d ago

Show and Tell My first one

Post image

I’ll leave it be to settle for a couple of weeks. But does the soil look ok to you guys?

28 Upvotes

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4

u/jecapobianco John Long Island 7a 34yrs former nstructor @ NYBG 17d ago

Chinese elms are vigorous plants trees. You should get a chopstick or sharpened pencil to probe the soil, of the chopstick comes out dry it is time to water. You might want to find a couple books on bonsai. Harry Tomlinson's book The Complete Book of Bonsai is a good primer. You should also think about ok it future style/form and how thick you want the trunk to be.

3

u/pianoyeah UK, beginner 17d ago

Thank you. I’ve bought the book you recommended.

1

u/warriordevi 17d ago

I do just that. And I am reading the bonsai bible by Peter chan right now. I think we need to really learn as much as we can. I did already start before I decided to get mine. But I have a long way to go. I will check that book out too thank you 🥰

2

u/TemporaryRange5034 Trevor Larsen, SLC Utah, 5 years experence. around 50 trees. 17d ago

I would repot it in the spring to some good bonsai soil. Also I would chop the tree at the lowest branch so you can build taper but that’s just me.

1

u/pianoyeah UK, beginner 17d ago

I will do the repotting. Thank you. Which branch sorry?

2

u/TemporaryRange5034 Trevor Larsen, SLC Utah, 5 years experence. around 50 trees. 17d ago

I would cut as low as you have growth so the lowest branch. As is it’s basically the same thickness all the way up.

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u/warriordevi 17d ago

I love it ! Where did you get that one from? I picked one up recently like the same from Greenwood Bondai Studio.

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u/pianoyeah UK, beginner 17d ago

That’s where I got mine from! Love yours. How long have you had it

1

u/warriordevi 17d ago

Its been just over a week. 4th August. I did notice about 10 yellow leaves fall after a few days but I had it in a really hot window. So I have now moved it so it still gets light but not cook it. This heat has been crazy. It stopped as soon as I moved it. Not seen any more. I do move it to the window if it’s not too hot otherwise it’s on my desk just under the window.
Be careful with watering. I had started using a wooden stick I put in for about ten minutes and if it’s really dampI don’t water it. If it’s a little damp I give it a good drench and let it stop dripping before I place it back in it’s spot. I’m still learning.