Overview
Chinese Elm Bonsai (Ulmus parvifolia) is a classic beginner bonsai with small leaves, attractive bark and strong response to pruning. It is best suited to beginners, broom, informal upright, group plantings and clip-and-grow training. For UK growers, treat it as: Outdoor is best, but can adapt to a very bright cool indoor position.
Placement
bright outdoor light; if indoors, place very close to a bright window
Watering
water thoroughly when the top of the soil begins to dry; do not let it dry hard
Feeding and fertilising
feed through spring and summer
Pruning and wiring
trim back new shoots regularly; it back-buds well and responds to structural pruning
Repotting
repot every 2-3 years in early spring
Propagation
cuttings and air layers are reliable
Pests, diseases and common issues
leaf drop after moving, spider mites indoors, aphids and low-light weakness