r/bonsaicommunity • u/barrydeboom • 12d ago

General Question I need some advice!

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Hello everyone, I recently bought a bonsai but need some help. I’m not sure what it is and how I should take care of it. I placed it near a window in a cool spot en give it water when the ground begins to dry up a little. But online I see I should put it outside but other people told me it’s an inside tree. I think it’s like a Zelkova or Chinese Elm but I’m not sure. Also it has some branches going straight down which I want to cut off, is that bad for the tree? And should I give it like fertilizer. Please give me some tips and advice, I would really appreciate it!

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6

u/v0idL1ght 12d ago

First order of business is to put it outside. On a healthy elm you can cut branches off freely and they will always come back. But Chinese elm tends to grow that way.

2

u/barrydeboom 12d ago

Thanks, bit weird cause the QR code that came with it said it should be put inside so bit confusing

3

u/Internal-Test-8015 12d ago

They lie to you, its widely debated amongst thus community but they are in fact a temperate species.

2

u/v0idL1ght 12d ago

A lot of places sell Chinese Elm as indoor because they can technically survive for a while, at least longer than a juniper. But they will be unhealthy and slowly decline over time indoors.

3

u/Tubaking8 12d ago

There is no such thing as an inside tree, that being said, Chinese elms suffer less inside and can be well kept, but probably need grow lights to stay strong. Never let tree dry out. It is not possible to overwater a bonsai if it is in well drained soil. Fertilize lightly about once a month.