Page 56 - Tài liệu cây cảnh Bonsai4me Bonsai Basics

This Chinese Elm/Ulmus parvifolia was a fairly typical mass-produced
bonsai purchased 2002. The tree had many dead branches, was unstyled and
difficult to water correctly. As a result of the compacted organic soil it was
growing in, water would run off the soil-surface and over the edges of the pot
rather than into the soil itself! Without corrective measures being taken, the
health of the bonsai would continue to decline.The biggest concern I had was
that the tree was still growing in the thick, airless clay from a field in China. This
soil might have been adequate whilst the tree was growing in a field but once in
the confines of a bonsai pot, the clay had become a solid airless mass that is very
difficult for any plant to grow in. 90% of health related problems with mallsai
bonsai are caused by trees trying to grow in this field-soil. Typically the soil will
cause poor root growth and root rot, poor uptake of water and nutrients by the
tree and difficulties with watering.
The solution is very simple, carefully wash all the clay off the roots and

replant the tree into a good bonsai soil mix. Don't be deceived by the appearance