CHINESE ELM QUESTION

Hi everyone about 2 years i have purchased an elm, and so far has never dropped it`s leaves...am i still ok to repot in early spring also can i defoliate to see the structure.....what`s your best advice

Thanks
Gabriel

Hi Lele,
The answer is yes and yes.
Do you have pictures?

Mick

I didn't understand the appeal of a Chinese Elm over any other kind of Elm, until I actually _saw_ a Chinese Elm! The leaves are almost microscopic compared to other kinds of elms! Now I reeeeally want one, and have nowhere to buy one!

If you are looking to buy a "finished" bonsai, any shop that sells bonsai will have dozens of all sizes and ages. At least a third of all mallsai sold are Chinese elms (but you pobably shouldn't want one of them).

If you are looking for a pre-bonsai, try www.evergreengardenworks.com

If you want a few healthy seedlings to nurture yourself, try www.musserforests.com

Many local nurseries will have them as landscape plants.

To answer Lele's question, many elms in the warmer parts of the world never lose their leaves, or only lose some of them. By warmer, I don't mean semi-tropics, either. My elm kept most of its leaves last winter and it was one with lots of snow and too much freezing weather.

So repot in spring. Defoliate if you like.

JimLewis wrote:
Many local nurseries will have them as landscape plants.

Not in Indiana I think. Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is not hardy in zone 5 without a rose cone. It might be available in Kentucky. Farther north you might find Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila, which is used for bonsai but is not as refined. How far are you from Chicago? The Chicago Botanic Garden can probably help you with many of your questions.