Technical Sheet - Chinese Elm

Common Name: Chinese Elm (also Chinese Zelkova)

Scientific Name: Ulmus Parvifolia

Description: Native to China, Korea, and Japan, it belongs to the Ulmaceae family.

Also known as Chinese Zelkova, it is a small-leaved bonsai, semi-deciduous or deciduous.

Highly appreciated in bonsai for its fine branching, bark (which develops "scales" with age), and easy shaping.

Location: Ideally prefers to live outdoors (where it can behave as a deciduous tree during harsher winters), although if grown indoors, with good sun exposure and without air conditioning, it also adapts.

It thrives well in both locations, requiring 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight daily, and if indoors, it should always be placed next to a window without curtains or blinds.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water flows out from the drainage holes, to moisten the soil evenly, always from above and never by immersion, using a fine-spout watering can.

For watering tips, see the watering technical sheet.

Water consumption greatly depends on the vegetative state, being high when new leaves appear, and becoming more moderate as the leaves mature.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).

If there is a tray under the bonsai, never let water remain in it (to prevent root rot).

There is no advantage in misting the leaves; only do so on days you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specifically for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by nightfall to avoid fungi.

Nutrition: From February to October/November, with a basic plan consisting of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant throughout the year (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.

Detailed information on how to combine these products with others in our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, see the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: Training pruning can be done at the end of winter before budding, or in summer following defoliation. Maintenance pruning should be done as new leaves appear, allowing 5 to 6 leaves to grow, then cutting back after the first or second leaf.

For pruning tips, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Repotting: With Leafy Bonsai Soil at the end of January after frosts, before budding begins, always with strong pruning, or in summer with total defoliation. 

Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific fortifying products you can use are available in the repotting technical sheet.

Wiring: Can be wired all year round, usually combined with strong pruning or defoliation.

Instructions on wiring can be found in the wiring technical sheet.