Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

The Chinese elm is a deciduous tree

Image - Wikimedia / KENPEI

If there is a deciduous tree that is very popular both in gardens and in the bonsai world, that is the chinese elm. Fast growing, it is a plant that can provide a very pleasant shade, or that can look incredibly beautiful worked as a miniature tree.

From experience I also affirm that it is able to withstand drought quite well; And that's not to mention that, thanks to its place of origin, frost does not harm you; what's more, you need them to know when to rest.

Origin and characteristics of the Chinese elm

The Chinese elm is a deciduous tree

Our protagonist is a deciduous or semi-evergreen tree depending on where it is grown, whose scientific name is Ulmus parvifolia, although the previous one that had is still accepted as a synonym: Zelkova parvifolia. It belongs to the genus ulmus, and grows naturally in China, Japan, North Korea, and Vietnam. It can reach a height of 20 meters, with a wide canopy of 5-6m.

The leaves are small, 1cm long or a little longer, simple, oval, serrated and pointed at the end.. The color is green, but if the conditions are right (that is, if you get a little thirsty in autumn and the temperatures gradually drop from the end of summer until the return of spring) they turn reddish during the autumn season before to fall.

Blooms in early spring. The flowers are small, hermaphroditic, green, white or reddish in color. The fruits are flattened and circular samaras, green at the beginning that ends up being dry brown later. It usually takes about 20 years to bear fruit for the first time.

How to take care of Ulmus parvifolia?

If you want to enjoy this magnificent tree in your garden, do not hesitate to provide it with the following care:

Location

Chinese elm it has to be taken abroad, if possible in full sun. Being a plant that takes up a lot of space, and as it has strong roots, it must be planted as far as possible (minimum 10 meters) from pipes, paved floors, etc.

Earth

The leaves of the Chinese elm are small

Image - Wikimedia / Bostonian13

Not demanding. It grows even in poor soils, with that I tell you everything 🙂. Anyway, it is true that it will be much more beautiful if:

  • the garden soil has good drainage,
  • or if the substrate used to fill the pot is fertile, as for example it would be if 60% of universal substrate were mixed (for sale here) with 30% perlite (for sale here) and 10% worm castings (for sale here).

Irrigation

It will depend on where you have:

  • Garden: with about 2 weekly waterings in summer and every 7-8 days the rest of the year you may have enough.
  • Flower pot: 3-4 times a week in summer, and about 2 weekly the rest.

This frequency of irrigation is indicative. In hot, dry climates you will need to water more often than in colder and wetter climates. When in doubt, check the soil's moisture with a moisture meter (for sale here) or with a stick.

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It is not very necessary, but it does not hurt either 🙂. Fertilize it from time to time with organic fertilizers, like guano or compost, and you will be able to strengthen its immune system, something that in turn will serve to make it more resistant to pests and diseases.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds in winter and cuttings in spring. Let us know how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

First, the seeds have to be stratified in the refrigerator, in the section of dairy products, fruit, etc., for three months. This is done by sowing them in a tupperware -of transparent plastic with a lid- filled with vermiculite (for sale here) previously moistened with water. Once a week you have to remove it to remove the lid, and thus get the air to be renewed.

After three months, they are sown in pots or seedling trays with substrate for seedlings (for sale here) and are left outside, in semi-shade. This will germinate in about two to three weeks.

Cuttings

To multiply by Ulmus parvifolia For cuttings you have to cut a semi-woody branch of about 40cm, impregnate its base with homemade rooting agents, and finally plant it in a pot with vermiculite for example.

Cinnamon, a good rooting agent for your plants
Related article:
The best homemade rooting agents for your cuttings

Pruning

At the end of winter you have to remove the dry, diseased, weak or broken branches. Also take the opportunity to give it the shape you want, removing some low branches from the trunk so that it acquires a tree-like appearance.

Pests

Red spider, a pest that can affect your tuberose

You can be attacked by:

Management

It is quite resistant, but if the conditions are not too good it can have roya, and much less frequently graphiosis. In fact, the Ulmus parvifolia it is one of the elm species that is least affected by this last disease.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring, when the risk of frost has passed.

Rusticity

Resists up to -18ºC.

What uses is it given?

View of a Chinese elm bonsai

Image - Flickr / cliff1066 ™

The Chinese elm is used as an ornamental plant, either as a garden as an isolated specimen or in groups, or as bonsai (for sale here).

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