Elm elm is the top-grade elm tree for making bonsai. Not only does it have all the characteristics of elm trees, its leaves are also very small, making it more ornamental. It likes light but tolerates shade, likes warmth and tolerates cold, and likes moisture. It is also drought tolerant, prefers fertile and loose soil and tolerates poor soil. It also has strong adaptability, strong germination ability, resistance to pruning and long life. This is the reason why elm bonsai is so popular. Bonsai enthusiasts who often go to exhibitions will definitely be able to see many elm bonsai works handed down from generation to generation. Both artistic and commercial values ??are very high, no better than pine and cypress bonsais. Worse, Ulmus elm bonsai is one of the bonsais worth making and collecting.

Production of Ulmus elm bonsai

1. Cultivation and shaping

Elm elm is often cultivated using the technique of cutting stems and growing branches. After cultivating, when the second and third level branches slowly grow, you can proceed to the early stage of shaping. Generally, pruning is the main method, supplemented by pruning. Because the branches of the elm are relatively soft, it is very easy to perform the pinning operation. When pinning, you can do it with confidence. Both metal wire and brown wire can be used. Some large branches that are not easy to pinning can be shaped by hanging and other methods. The branches and leaves can be pruned according to your own ideas, and can be pruned into a natural crown shape or the more popular cloud shape or cloud shape.

2. Selection of pots

After the early shaping of Ulmus elata, it can be potted for planting. Use loose and breathable matrix soil as potting soil. Use breathable clay pots or purple sand pots for flower pots. If the pot shape is different, you need to choose it according to the pile type. If it is a cliff type or waterfront type, use a thousand tube pot. If it is a tilt pole type, jungle type, etc., just use a rectangular or oval shallow mouth basin. After selecting the flower pot, put a permeable layer on the bottom of the pot to facilitate subsequent maintenance work.

3. Pruning treatment

Before planting, the elm shells must be carefully pruned. The cuts must be taken care of to prevent the invasion of germs. Use white latex to heal them. It is best to apply agent to the cut. After planting, do not rush to water it thoroughly. You can place it in a dark place for 2-3 days. During this period, it needs to be sprayed with water to moisturize. After that, water it thoroughly again. In about half a month, the elm will be ready for potting, and it can be slowly placed outdoors for normal maintenance.

Maintenance of Ulmus elm bonsai

1. Environment

Elm elm bonsai prefers a warm and humid environment with good lighting, good ventilation, preferably outdoors. For maintenance, the balcony and windowsill are also good places. If it cannot meet these conditions, it is also necessary to go outdoors for maintenance every half a month and rotate it with other bonsais for maintenance. You also need to pay attention to the problem of overwintering in winter. In the south, you can bury the elm bonsai together with the flower pot in the soil facing the sun and leeward, and you can survive the winter safely. In the north, you need to move it to a low-temperature room for overwintering, which is generally not necessary. If the temperature is below 0℃, you can survive the winter safely.

2. Water and fertilizer

Ulmus elata likes a humid environment. During the growing season, the pot soil must be kept moist, but when watering, care must be taken not to cause water accumulation. Ulmus elata is a bonsai for foliage viewing. Do not water the leaves, as this will cause the leaves to become larger and the new shoots to grow leggy. You also need to pay attention to spraying water to moisturize, and only spray water around the bonsai. The growth period of Ulmus elata is from April to October, and it also has a great demand for nutrient supply. When fertilizing and supplementing, it is best to use decomposed organic fertilizer. Use after each pruning to help stimulate germination.

3. Pruning

Ulmus elata has a strong germination ability, and its branches and leaves grow very quickly. During its growing season, it needs frequent pruning to maintain the tree shape. When the new branches grow to 5-6 centimeters, they need to be pruned, and the buds must be wiped frequently to cut off the long branches, useless branches, thinning out dense branches, etc., as long as they interfere with the shape of the tree, All trimmed off to prepare for styling and improve ornamental value.

4. Repotting and soil changing

The repotting and soil changing time of Langyu bonsai is about once every 2-3 years. The specific repotting and soil changing time needs to be based on the region and environment. , tree shape, flower pot and other factors to determine the time. It is generally best to do it in spring before the trees sprout.

However, there will also be some special situations, such as water accumulation, fertilizer damage, hardening of pot soil, severe alkalization, etc., where it is necessary to immediately repot and replace the soil.

In addition to the above-mentioned daily maintenance of Ulmus elm bonsai, you also need to pay attention to the occurrence of diseases and insect pests. However, as long as the Ulmus elm bonsai is well maintained and the tree is strong, pests and diseases will not easily occur. But if pests and diseases occur, timely treatment is required. The elm bonsai is simple to make and easy to maintain, but its value is not low. It has always been a favorite among bonsai enthusiasts. I hope everyone can grow a fine elm bonsai. I’m @花房女娟子, please remember to follow and like!