Chinese elm bonsai in dire need.

Hello to all,
I own a chines elm for 8 month now.
When I've bought it it had a rich crown and a healthy general look.
Around 5 Mont ago I had the dumb idea to use some fertilizer.
I have bought some special bonsai fertilizer from commerce and I have used it exactly as specified.
One cap for 2 litters bottle which I have used it for a week.
After a few weeks after this the leafs start to turn yellow and fell of . A few small branches from the top have also died.
I could not do anything else for this situation but to change the soil which I did.
I have bought special soil for bonsai and replace it .
After a month I could see now shoots and new leafs . Everything was ok until this new growth started to wither and fall of.
I have no idea what to do next to stop it die or why this is happening.
The soil does not retain much water . It has enough lite and warmth .
Can you help me with any advice?

Hi Viorel,

I am really sorry to hear your troubles with your Elm.

Some pictures would help but in general a really great way to cure any problem is the management of watering. Balance of water and oxygen.
It sounds like your tree is trying and wanting to live so that's a good sign. Don't fertilize at all and water when you see or feel that the soil is close to dry but not bone dry then water thoroughly again and wait until it's closer to being dry again but not bone dry.

In general, you don't need any special fertilizers, that is just marketing and anything will work.

I'm guessing you got or bought a tree that was sold as in "indoor" tree which Chinese elms can be but they can also be temperate as well. If it's been treated like a tropical though I would stick to that temperature range. Another point is, that these trees usually come with their original field soil and have some random Akadama thrown on top of them just to look good. These trees need to be re-potted into new substrate such as Akadama, pumice, lava, etc. and everything should be the same particle size so that you maintain a good balance of water and oxygen.

My little "indoor" elms have come inside now for about a month and many of them have dropped leaves due to the change in temperature, ideal outdoor conditions and amount of sunlight but they are now growing new leaves. It's always a struggle when they're indoors for about 6 months and not receiving that "tropical" amount of sun. I usually water these thoroughly about every 3 days. I now believe I have FINALLY figured out how to cultivate this species and it really comes down to giving them as much sun over the winter as possible and maintaining that balance.

So, just maintaining the balance of water and oxygen in your substrate, will do wonders and is the only thing you can really do.

I wish you luck and mainly, don't feel down or bad if the tree doesn't make it. This isn't the easiest species for someone who has just started and should not keep you from trying again with this hobby. A ficus on the other hand, is a great way to learn and start with this hobby.

Hi Thomas,
Thank you very much for your help, support and words of encouragement.
I want to come back with the information about the soil that I have used for reporting.
I have used a bonsai substrate which has in composition a mixture of peaty soil , sand, clay particles,crushed cheranzite enriched with basic nutrients.
Also on the bottom of the pot I have put a layer of small pebbles for a better drainage .  
I am watering it at 3 or 4 days when the upper layer seems to start drying.
Below is a picture with my elm the way it looks now and some pictures from the last week.
It's looking worst.
I keep all my bonsai at may office because they have a better light exposure.
I must say that the temperature is around 23 degree Celsius .

I've come back with some pictures from beginning of the last week and the way it looked in the summer .