Chinese Elm - Winter: Warm or Cold?

[sporeone]

I purchased a few chinese elms over the summer. According to the place that sold them, they are from a Tropical zone in China. They said to keep them indoors for the winter and that they would die if left in the cold.

I have been reading that many trees need to take a break in the winter, and if they do not get to take one, that they will eventually die; sooner or later.

That being said, if my elms come from a tropical zone;

- Is it OK that they do not get a dormancy/cold period in the winter?

- Will they survive for the years to come without dormant periods forever?

- What is the best action to take?

Thank you all.

[nebraska]

Chinese elm are odd like that, depending on where they were raised, they can be kept indoors. Even indoors you can give it a break from growth, just keep it in a cool room with a bit less light than what it's used to. They grow better if provided a winter rest period, but that requires they be outside in the fall to prepare themselves for the winter. You can take a chinese elm from an indoor tree to outdoor, but you can't change them back. Once they begin getting a full on dormancy they will need that every year. If you want it as an indoor tree, go for it.

[djlen]

I find some of this 'indoor' stuff fascinating. I've had U. parvifolia for years and have left them out to over-winter with no problem at all. We get temps. down into the teens a occasionally lower and I've never lost a tree or even a limb. I have lost pots due to ice freezing in them and expansion.....lol.
I am so pleased to hear that they can come into the house 1/2 way through the winter and leaf out where I can watch them do it!!
I just never realize this was possible. Now I'm hearing that many people keep them inside for most of the year.
I would not attempt to keep them in year round as they definitely will suffer over time with no dormacy, IMO.
I will be keeping them in an unheated garage this year after the first couple of frosts force dormancy. The I'll bring them into the house in Jan. or Feb. and watch them 'pop' with their new 'spring' growth.
Can't wait.

[nebraska]

Yes Len, they are hardy to zone 5 which if I remember correctly is -20F...but thats planted in the ground...some are native to semi-tropical climates like southern china where they never drop a leaf for winter, they act like evergreens and hold their foliage but due to less light and slightly cooler temps they do go somewhat dormant

[octoberust]

So how low a temperature can a chinese elm take in a bonsai pot?

[nebraska]

I haven't tried to figure that one out yet
With proper protection they can still be kept outdoors for the winter in zone 5 temps...just bury the pot and mulch it in, or in a garage will work. I will look around to find out if anybody has the answer to that question...see if i can dig it up

[mikey012076]

The temperature a chinese elm can take in a bonsai pot 5 to 10 below -0 if the tree is put out of the wind and the Pot covered with Snow , mulch anything as long as it is covered, the wind does more damage to the tree it mite be 10 below -0 but if the wind is blowing it is now 25 below -0 keep it covered..

Mike...:O)

[djlen]

I think you are safe in the 10°F area especially if you can put them in a sheltered area such as the south side of the house.
Snow will actually protect them from the wind as well.

[octoberust]

I have a pretty sheltered patio, but no yard to be able to mulch in the pot. The wind can pick up pretty well hear but I think if I leave the pot next to the wall on the ground I will be okay. For some reason I was under the impression once it dropped bellow 30F I should be moving my trees to the garage. I have a nice shelf next to a window in the garage, but the temp rarely drops bellow 40F. From what I am hearing out on the patio might be better. I live in Colorado in zone 5 by the way. Maybe a couple of cheap foam coolers with cedar bark could substitute for burying my pots. Surround the pot with cedar bark and sink it in the cooler up to the first branch, then top off with more bark. I tried something like this before, but ended with a dead tree. I left the top of the pot exposed to the cold weather and I think the roots just got too cold. Sorry if I hijacked the thread. I don't want another dead Elm on my hands.