Zelkova serrata is often sold over here as Japanese Grey Bark Elm, although
the descriptions of trees at garden centres is often mystifying to put it
politely.

Are the leaves paleish green in colour, over 1cm long and highly serrated or
are they smaller, darker and glossy? i.e. "typical" Chinese Elm sold in
stores here

If it's the former I would definitely try and get the tree outside and
dormant for a few months, in a cold greenhouse or similar if possible. If
you can't manage shelter, watch for frosts and put in a cold
room/garage/shed until they pass.

If it's the latter, you could leave it indoors and it should be ok and will
stay evergreen. However, if you treat it as above and put it outdoors, it
will shed its leaves until Spring. It will probably also drastically
increase its life expectancy

Mike Bennett, UK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Billy M. Rhodes"
To:
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2003 10:15 AM
Subject: [IBC] Japanese Elm - Evergreen ?


In a message dated 12/27/2003 5:00:21 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

I've been given a Japanese Elm bonsai for Christmas and is supposed to
be an indoor specimen. The tree is about 10" high and has a nice
'corkscrew' trunk so I assume its quite a mature specimen.


I will leave it to someone from the UK to advise on putting the tree
outside
now. However, Chinese Elms are outside trees.

If the tree had been outside all along it would probably be OK, but since
it
has not had a chance to prepare for winter, it might be better to keep it
inside until spring and plan to leave it outside next year.

These "corkscrew" trees from China are interesting but not for me.
Movement
in a Bonsai trunk is good but these are too much.

BTW, if there are rocks or moss on the surface of the soil, remove them
and
replace with any sterile soil.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast
Bonsai Societies of Florida Annual Convention Memorial Day Weekend 2004
Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida www.bonsaisocietyofbrevard.org


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++