BOTANICAL CARD OF BONSAI

ZELKOVA NIRE

Common Name: ZELKOVA - Family: ULMACEAE

ORIGIN:

Medium-sized tree, native to north-central China. It has a greyish bark, peeling when ripe, small, oval-shaped leaves, serrated at the edges, of an intense green color on the upper page and lighter green on the lower one.

PRUNING:

Continuously shorten the new shoots at the first leaves during the growing season in order to thicken and contain the shape of the crown. It is possible to carry out drastic pruning at the roots during repotting, accompanying a selective reduction of the foliage.

REPOT:

In early spring or autumn, with 70% topsoil and 30% coarse sand.

WATERING:

This plant likes abundant watering; it is advisable to water it abundantly, letting the soil dry out between one watering and the next. Decrease or increase the water according to the seasons.

FERTILIZATION:

Every 20-30 days from spring to autumn. Stop fertilizing in midsummer.

EXPOSURE:

Outdoor or indoor plant in very bright and airy areas. Protect from full sun in midsummer. It is a semi-evergreen plant but if kept outside in cold climates during the winter, it behaves like a deciduous plant losing its leaves.

BINDINGS:

Make the bindings from late spring to summer.