When and how to change the soil of elm bonsai

Time to change the soil of elm bonsai

The soil of elm bonsai is usually changed between winter and Qingming Festival. When changing the soil, rotten roots can be trimmed, dead branches, leaves and overgrown branches can be repaired, and fertile humus soil should be replaced.

How to repot and change soil for elm bonsai

1. Stop watering and remove the pot: The first step to repotting an elm tree is to stop watering. After stopping watering, the soil will gradually dry out, making it easier to remove the tree from the pot without damaging the roots. When removing the tree from the pot, you can loosen the soil to separate the soil ball at the root from the wall of the pot, making it much easier to take it out.

2. Root washing and pruning: After removing the elm bonsai from the pot, place it directly in a large basin of clean water and allow the old soil at the roots to be fully soaked in water. This will wash away the sticky soil and make it easier to check the condition of the roots. If there are old and dead roots, they need to be pruned in time and sprayed with medicine to prevent infection.

3. Prepare new soil: The most important thing when repotting elm trees is to change the soil. The old soil is often compacted, which not only affects its breathing but also is not conducive to water penetration. The new soil should be made of garden soil, leaf mold and river sand. This can ensure its drainage and air permeability. At the same time, disinfection should be done well.

4. Planting in pots: To re-pot the elm tree, first place the plant upright in the new pot and fill it with the prepared new soil. Then put it in a semi-shaded place so that it can adapt to the pot as quickly as possible. After it resumes growing, you can water and fertilize it.

Precautions for changing soil for elm bonsai

1. The flowerpot chosen for elm bonsai should be made of purple clay or pottery. Soak it in clean water for at least 1 hour in advance, place it in a semi-shaded place to dry, and disinfect it. The soil also needs to be disinfected before use to avoid bacteria or insect eggs in it.

2. Elm bonsai likes fertile, loose, well-drained alluvial soil, which can be mixed with garden soil, leaf mold and river sand. A little base fertilizer can be applied to the soil. Generally, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus compound fertilizers are used, which are the most commonly used fertilizers.

Maintenance method of elm bonsai after changing soil

After changing the soil of the elm bonsai, you can do some slight pruning and cut off diseased branches, thin branches or crossed branches. Don't rush to water it after planting. Water it after a week of maintenance. Strong light is not allowed at this time. It is suitable to be maintained in a place with sufficient scattered light.

If the leaves of the elm bonsai turn yellow after the soil is changed, it may be because the temperature is too low, causing physiological yellowing of the leaves. It may also be due to excessive watering, too much rain, and poor drainage at the bottom of the pot, resulting in water accumulation at the roots, which will also cause yellow leaves. It may also be that the tree has not adapted well to the new environment, and yellowing leaves is a normal phenomenon.