It has been excreting a white powder from the trunk of the tree itself, and around the base of the pot where to soil meets the edge. I only water it with rain water and have been feeding it with bonsai food as per the instructions.

I tried keeping it in the utility room that opens out onto the garden to see if it was indeed an outdoor tree, this seems to have had no effect at all.

I have only been watering it when the soil looks dry-ish and have not trimmed it since the leaves started falling off.

Do you have ideas as to what is wrong with the tree? there are no bugs that I have found, and short of repotting the tree altogether I cant see what else I can try!

Please help!

Thanks

CJ

If you forget your history, you will repeat your mistakes! RoyH 

We try to encourage people to keep Elms, if that is what you have, outside where nature intended.  During winter, young trees will act deciduous and lose their leaves. During the period of hibernation when no growth is taking place, they don't need any fertilizer.  Unused salts from the fertilizer is what is probably making the white deposits. You don't give any indication of whereabouts in the world you are but I am assuming that you are in the northern hemisphere and therefore it is the season of sleep.  A utility room is not outside. If you must keep it inside it may survive but will become progressively more leggy and weak when it starts to grow again. The best advice is to put it in the best possible light which is not available a metre from a window and to avoid all sources of heat. The planting medium should be free-draining i.e. water should run out through the drain holes within a few seconds of application. If this doesn't happen, a re-pot into a better medium is indicated in the spring. Meanwhile, keep the medium just moist, never wet and never dry. The condition of the medium should indicate when to water rather than doing it on a rota.  My own Elms will probably not need to be watered for several months because nature takes care of them outside. Keep in touch and come back with any further questions which come to mind, also tell us where you are, if the tree was kept inside before, if you are sure what it is and how long you have had it.  A photograph would help identification if there are any leaves left. We'll be here.  Good luck.  =Don

My name is Don and I'm a bonsaiholic.
My imaginary friend Givitago takes over when I'm not sure of myself in print. He's not a complete fool - several bits are missing.

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