My Chinese elm Leaves are green but crispy

Hello all, this is my first post and first time joining a Bonsai forum.
Yesterday i bought 4 small Chinese elms to practice on them from a greenhouse, and tonight when i was checking them i found 3 of them got some dry green crispy leaves.
I did read some information about this issue and i think they have let the bonsai dry out at some stage.
This what i think, but I'm not sure so i hope to confirm that info based on the pictures and your experiences, and how i should treat it now.
here is the pictures:





Thanks.

You're right. That tree had been neglected at some point in its recent life. But it will be OK.

Personally, I'd work down from the top of this tree over several years with successive air layers and make several smaller trees out of it. It won't amount to much, otherwise.

JimLewis wrote:You're right. That tree had been neglected at some point in its recent life. But it will be OK.

Thank you so much for the fast reply, I appreciate it

JimLewis wrote:Personally, I'd work down from the top of this tree over several years with successive air layers and make several smaller trees out of it. It won't amount to much, otherwise.

I totally agree, this actually what i meant by practicing on them, I will wait till the early spring to start my first air layering i have read this is the best time for it.
So now i will just water it, pruning unnecessary branches, and read more
Or what do you think?

That'll work!