Re: [IBC] Newbie question

[Jim Lewis]

> I have a couple of Bonsai trees (Zelkova Schneidria)
> which are starting to show a white powder-like substance
> around the lower part of the trunk. I am not sure if this is
> an indication that the tree is unhealthy , or merely a harmless
> lichen. It is possible to scrape the substance off, but
generally
> it re-appears. Any advice? The tree is indoors, in a mostly
> unheated room of the house where the termperature is around
> 2-8 C.

It probably is a calcium deposit from minerals in your water
supply. Unsightly but not dangerous.

Usually this occurs when you water your trees by submerging them,
pots and all in water. That's not the preferred way to water;
you should water from the top -- like rain.

And, Zelkova is NOT an indoor tree. It should be outside all
year -- perhaps with a little winter protection in locals with
bitter winters. Zelkova will not thrive and will eventually die
indoors.

I don't know what a "Schneidria" is, but just add that MOST trees
do better outside when weather permits.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is
frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry
David Thoreau - Walden

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[Buridan]

"Jim Lewis" wrote:

> > I have a couple of Bonsai trees (Zelkova Schneidria)
> > which are starting to show a white powder-like substance
> > around the lower part of the trunk. I am not sure if this is
> > an indication that the tree is unhealthy , or merely a harmless
> > lichen. It is possible to scrape the substance off, but
> >generally it re-appears. Any advice? The tree is indoors, in a mostly
> > unheated room of the house where the termperature is around
> > 2-8 C.
>
> It probably is a calcium deposit from minerals in your water
> supply. Unsightly but not dangerous.
> Usually this occurs when you water your trees by submerging them,
> pots and all in water. That's not the preferred way to water;
> you should water from the top -- like rain.
>
Yes, I did indeed water by submerging, but not for a while.
I will try the method you suggest. How much water per day
is advisable?

Jim Humphreys

[Jim Lewis]

Xref: news7 rec.arts.bonsai:57839

> >
> Yes, I did indeed water by submerging, but not for a while.
> I will try the method you suggest. How much water per day
> is advisable?
>

None -- per day. Only water when the soil feels dry. Plants
don't need as much water during winter -- their off season.

As far as the Zelkova bit -- Iris is undoubtedly right. It Is
NOT a Zelkova, it is a Chinese elm, probably one of the cultivars
of Ulmus parvifolia. I'd forgotten that these are often
(dishonestly) imported to the US as Zelkova species because of
certain import restrictions on some Ulmus species (because of
Dutch elm disease, I'm told).

Elms are deciduous, too., but some of them hang onto their leaves
until just as the new spring leaves are coming out.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is
frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry
David Thoreau - Walden

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[Billy M. Rhodes]

In a message dated 1/26/2003 11:35:44 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

> As far as the Zelkova bit -- Iris is undoubtedly right. It Is
> NOT a Zelkova, it is a Chinese elm, probably one of the cultivars
> of Ulmus parvifolia. I'd forgotten that these are often
> (dishonestly) imported to the US as Zelkova species because of
> certain import restrictions on some Ulmus species (because of
> Dutch elm disease, I'm told).
>
Jim
I think this question originally came from the UK.
Billy on the Florida Space Coast

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[Jim Lewis]

> In a message dated 1/26/2003 11:35:44 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> writes:
>
> > As far as the Zelkova bit -- Iris is undoubtedly right. It
Is
> > NOT a Zelkova, it is a Chinese elm, probably one of the
cultivars
> > of Ulmus parvifolia. I'd forgotten that these are often
> > (dishonestly) imported to the US as Zelkova species because
of
> > certain import restrictions on some Ulmus species (because of
> > Dutch elm disease, I'm told).
> >
> Jim
> I think this question originally came from the
UK.
> Billy on the Florida Space Coast
>

OK. You're probably right. I recall from speaking with Colin a
year ago that they restrict importation of Ulmus quite strictly,
so the same applies there too.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - "People,
when Columbus discovered this country, it was plum full of nuts
and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just
about all gone." -- Uncle Dave Macon, old-time musician

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[Brent Walston]

At 07:53 PM 1/26/03 +0000, Iris Cohen wrote:
><< the accompanying leaflet states that this is a warm area of China, and
>therefore the bonsai is suitable for growing indoors. >>
>
>Don't believe everything you read in leaflets. It is probably similar to
>Serissa & the warmer-growing varieties of Chinese elm. Until we can get a take
>on this from a botanist, I would give it a cool rest in the fall & then bring
>it indoors, or keep it in an unheated room for the winter, as you are doing.
>Try to research a little more about the climate of Gwangdong province, & what
>other well known species come from it.
>
><< The "Schneidria" is probably something added by the Dutch importer. >>
>
>Apparently it is a cultivar name. Until we know more, I would put it in single
>quotes.

Iris

The RHS Index lists Zelkova schneiderana, similar to Z. sinica, native to
SW China, zone 7.


Brent in Northern California
Evergreen Gardenworks USDA Zone 8 Sunset Zone 14

http://www.EvergreenGardenworks.com

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[Jim Lewis]

> I'm pretty new to the bonsai art, but i've read a lot of
stuff about
> taking care of a tree by now and i've seen a lot of pictures,
i'm going
> to collect lots of seeds this October and some of young, less
than 30cm
> trees i've spotted.
>
> But i still have some questions, I've read somewhere that it
is
> possible to reduce the size of a tree of 2 meters to about 0,5
meters!
> How is this done? I mean to do this it is needed to cut the
main trunk
> leaving the tree without any leafs, wont this kill the tree?
>
> If someone could explain me, or point me some site with the
> description of the technique i would be much gratefull.
>

Goto: www.evergreengardenworks.com look for the articles, the
look for articles on trunk chops, fattening trunks, developing
taper, etc.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The phrase
'sustainable growth' is an oxymoron. - Stephen Viederman

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[Joao Costa]

That is a pretty nice collection of articles i didn't knew about! Thanks
very much for the tip :
)
Jim Lewis wrote:

>Goto: www.evergreengardenworks.com look for the articles, the
>look for articles on trunk chops, fattening trunks, developing
>taper, etc.
>
>Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The phrase
>'sustainable growth' is an oxymoron. - Stephen Viederman
>
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> ++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
>************************************************** *****************************
>
-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<

> +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++
>
>
>

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************************************************** ******************************
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