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Jim Lewis

25-01-2003 08:44 PM

[IBC] Newbie question

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

26-01-2003 02:25 PM

[IBC] Newbie question

"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

26-01-2003 04:35 PM

[IBC] Newbie question

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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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Billy M. Rhodes

26-01-2003 07:25 PM

[IBC] Newbie question

Jim Lewis

26-01-2003 07:38 PM

[IBC] Newbie question

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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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Brent Walston

26-01-2003 09:39 PM

[IBC] Newbie question

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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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Jim Lewis

03-09-2003 12:14 AM

[IBC] Newbie question

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

03-09-2003 01:42 AM

[IBC] Newbie question

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