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| Mystery Trees! http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13578 |
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| Author: | seoulbonsai [ 02 Jun 2015, 08:42 ] |
| Post subject: | Mystery Trees! |
Greetings from Korea! My name's Jon, and I'm relatively new to bonsai. I have two trees that I've purchased from a little old Korean lady in my neighbourhood. I know it's shocking, but we didn't learn Korean in school back in Canada, so my Korean skills were not sufficient to understand what was a good ten minutes of explanation. Therefore, I have no idea what these trees are or how to take care of them. Any ideas? Thanks!! Attachment: IMG_1116.jpg Attachment: IMG_1117.jpg Attachment: IMG_1117.jpg
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| Author: | John M [ 02 Jun 2015, 12:21 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery Trees! |
Hi Jon - what a remarkable tree to start your bonsai life with! I suppose I'd better jump in with my view first - I think it is a Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) judging from the shape and serrated edges of the leaves so far as I can see them in your photos. There is also an even chance it could be a Zelkova (Z. serrata), which is a related species in the same family, but with somewhat larger leaves. Both are good subjects for bonsai, and both respond to similar regimes of care. This particular specimen seems very unusual to me - the previous owner has concentrated (I suspect) on gradually exposing the main roots and lifting the body of the tree over time well above the soil level. What she doesn't seem to have done is give much overall shape or character to the trunk/branches , hence the overall outline of the 'tree' part of this bonsai is to my eye a bit muddled - so there's a project for you! On the subject of care - assuming the tree is either of the ones I have mentioned -- first check under the pot that there are sufficient drainage holes (there should be at least a few large ones - about 1/2" across - no smaller. Next check the soil for good drainage (which from your photos I would guess it has). Now - keep it outside always (it is a tree - it needs the open air at all times). Water regularly, ideally from a watering can with a spray rose, from above the tree onto the soil surface, and keep watering until it flows out at the bottom of the pot, then stop. Roughly once a day is about right - never let the soil dry out. In very hot dry spells you may find it necessary to water more than once (in the UK this isn't often). Feeding - not your first priority. Well draining water, good light and air, will be sufficient to keep this tree going for a long time. Once you know it is surviving and even growing, come back to us for further advice on feeding and pruning. Finally - you have made a good start by joining this forum. Ask any questions you like, and read and read to further your knowledge and understanding. Many people on this site (but not me) are true experts, and you will always be answered courteously and with expertise. BTW - you mentioned 'two trees' - can we see the other? After the first, I'm extremely curious! Now others will come in to express their contrary opinions! J. |
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| Author: | TomB [ 02 Jun 2015, 12:37 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery Trees! |
Looks like a Chinese elm to me too, though a better picture of the leaves would help. |
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| Author: | seoulbonsai [ 03 Jun 2015, 01:13 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery Trees! |
Thank you so much for these wonderful replies! I really appreciate your thoroughness, too. It sits atop a shelf on a fairly sunny balcony in central Seoul, and I've been fertilizing every two weeks. Other than that, I've been too uncertain/scared to do much with it. For now, I guess I'll just let it grow out a bit. I'll post update photos at the end of the growing season for the curious and to get some styling advice :) I've attached a closeup of the leaves. I have what I know to be a Chinese elm that I've been training as a semiformal. The leaves look nearly identical to my mystery trees, but the trunk structures are very different, though the trunks themselves look similar. I've attached a photo of the second mystery tree from the same lady. This is a delicate little flowering tree. I'm not sure if the roots have been styled to look this way. The root ball was a bit of a nightmare when I repotted in early spring. Thanks again for your help. This is a wonderful forum! Jon Attachment: IMG_1120.jpg Attachment: IMG_1119.jpg
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| Author: | John M [ 03 Jun 2015, 10:47 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery Trees! |
Jon the leaf close-up confirms to me that you have a Chinese elm not a Zelkova. I have no idea what the second tree is. Perhaps others will chip in with an opinion on that. Good luck with them. J. |
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| Author: | stymie [ 03 Jun 2015, 11:15 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery Trees! |
A photograph of the second tree's leaves with the light source behind the camera will help. The back lighting is rather misleading. |
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| Author: | Deano [ 03 Jun 2015, 13:33 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery Trees! |
defo not zelkova. |
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