Chinese Elm Bonsai

Occasionally people tell me about a bonsai tree they tried to grow a few years ago and usually ask me which bonsai I would recommend to a beginning gardener. Though I have several in mind, I prefer the Chinese Elm for a beginner's first indoor bonsai tree. For this bonsai specimen, the pros far outweigh the cons.    The Chinese Elm is a very hardy tree, both in and out of doors. As an outdoor bonsai, the tree will lose its leaves in the winter. As an indoor bonsai tree, it will keep its leaves and remain green throughout the winter and does not need a dormant period. This elm is resistant to most diseases including Dutch elm disease.     The soil of this bonsai should be kept moist but not soggy or over-watered. Make sure the pot has ample drainage and basic potting soil for best results. For fertilizer, one with a little extra nitrogen during the growing season will aid in extra growth and use less fertilizer in the winter months.    What I like most about the Chinese Elm is the ease of training and shaping the bonsai. When the tree is young, you can wire wrap the trunk and branches to begin gradually bending and shaping the tree to whatever style you would like. The trunk can slowly be bent into a twisted upright, cascade, or windswept shape...or, just let it grow upright like a normal, healthy elm would grow. The bonsai in the photo is an 8 year old small leaf Chinese Elm "shohin" bonsai whose trunk I trained into this interesting shape. This bonsai is 8" tall above the top of the pot and the pot is 4"x 5-1/2"...a rather small bonsai... but indeed, beautiful.    As far as the cons, I'm sure there may be some...but as of yet, I have not encountered any. I sincerely hope that many of you will find, as I have, that the Chinese Elm is truly a great indoor bonsai tree for all. Positively, Truman