How Do Elm Bonsai Get Through Winter? Detailed Winter Care Tips

Temperature

When it comes to winter, severe cold is a problem many flower growers have to face, and the same goes for those growing elm bonsai. Unless a plant is specifically native to cold regions, you need to pay attention to the temperature of the plant's growing environment during everyday cultivation in winter. Potted elm is a plant with a certain degree of cold tolerance, so it does not have to be brought indoors. Outdoors, however, be careful not to place it in a shady spot; going without sunlight for a long time can cause disease in potted elm or even kill it. When placing it outdoors, while ensuring sunlight, you must also keep it from being blown directly by the icy winter wind. In short, this plant's winter growing environment must meet two conditions: plenty of sunlight and a spot out of the wind.

Watering

Potted elm enters dormancy in winter, so be careful to reduce watering. On top of that, this plant is generally not kept indoors at temperatures above freezing, but rather grown outdoors in a sunny spot sheltered from the wind, so watering must be controlled even more sparingly. It is best to keep the soil in the pot on the drier side. Remember, when watering potted elm in winter, it is better to let it stay dry than to water excessively.

Pruning

Potted elm has no leaves during its winter dormancy, and at this time many of the exposed branches are useless dead wood. Reasonable pruning can both make the plant look more beautiful and provide ample nutrients for the growth of new buds when spring arrives next year. Note, however, that when pruning excess dead branches, do not touch the reserved slender twigs; these buds are very fragile, and once damaged they cannot absorb nutrients, which will greatly affect the overall appearance of the plant the following year.