tips – Expressions of Grace Bonsai

Chinese Elm Bonsai

Xavier Martinez — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 17:18:53 +0000

In this fourth episode I look into the most popular of species for both Indoors and Outdoors Bonsai – the Chinese Elm (Ulmus Parvifolia). Also known as the ‘lacebark elm’, this species is native to eastern Asia, including China, India, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Of all the bonsai available to beginners, this is probably the species most purchased…and also, most often killed

I killed my first Chinese Elm, also my first bonsai, within the space of 3 months. I had no knowledge of how to care for this plant and no understanding that such care was needed. When it first started to shed all of its leaves I panicked and thought it must need more fertiliser – to stop the leaves falling!

When more leaves fell from the bonsai I looked at a book in hope and realised my tree probably had a root problem and must need repotting. Needless to say, I had no idea about the right soil or when the right time was to do such an operation. I pulled it out and trimmed the roots, because the book said I should, and then put it back in using a combination of topsoil and John Innes No 2 (potting mix).

Surprisingly, it seemed to ‘pick up’ over the next month and I thought I had the problem solved. I was now a Bonsai Master!!! Alas, I then noticed the tips of the new shoots were wilting and yellowing. Clearly I thought, with an air of smugness, I needed to prune this back (like the book says)…

This process of plant murder continued for about 3 months. It is probably important to mention that I made the biggest ‘common’ mistake by daily overwatering…as well as giving it more fertiliser. One week later it dropped the last of its leaves and the new shoots browned off and died. I think I ‘loved it’ to death…

But here is what happened with a dying Chinese Elm that I did take the correct action on

So if you want to learn how NOT TO kill your Chinese Elm Bonsai then I recommend watching this video

God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing

Xav

Japanese Larch Bonsai

Xavier Martinez — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 08:54:03 +0000

Find out my KEY dates and Bonsai Care Tips for Japanese Larch.

A short and simple guide that is ideal for beginners. Pruning dates, Wiring, Potting, Disease, Fertilising and a bit of cricket too…

God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier

Japanese Maple Bonsai

Xavier Martinez — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:45:39 +0000

Find out my KEY dates and Bonsai Care Tips for Japanese Maple. A short and simple guide that is ideal for beginners. Pruning dates, Wiring, Potting, Disease, Fertilising and a bit of history too…

God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier

Good Morning and welcome from Expressions of Grace Bonsai

Xavier Martinez — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:39:29 +0000

So it’s finally happened and years of idle boasts have become reality…bit scary really! Being no different from most of you I too have a passion which has quietly ruled my life. I too have dreamed of ‘giving up the day job’. Well as of today – I guess it has started to happen… I will apologise now for my lazy English and the awkward web pages but like all new ventures the enthusiasm to start often outweighs the need for care and patience Over the next week I will expand the site to show you exactly who and what Expressions of Grace ‘aim to be’. So hopefully, it will become a fun ride for the few of you that take a look. I am not a traditional bonsai site….and I am not looking to turn this into an ‘e-commerce’ venture. I want this to be a ‘real time’ insight (good and bad) into the real world of growing bonsai – from the ‘untrained’ aspect. Yes, I have read books and scoured You Tube for all the best advice. Don’t we all?? You will see projects from the start and hopefully follow them through to a successful end as they join their budding seedlings into the Bonsai ‘Hall of Fame’. Those not good enough will also star as you watch them disappear rapidly into the ‘Bonfire of Shame’. Either eventuality will be documented on the Expressions Gallery and blog pages. It may become a roller coaster of emotions as our ‘much loved’ trees fail to make the grade and find themselves on the recycle pile but just a few may make it to the ‘Top’. Just a few may even spark interest and even find a new home… So if you are strong enough please join me and become a part of the adventure! God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing Xav