---
title: "Got this Chinese elm bonsai as a gift any suggestions or tips?"
description: "Got this Chinese elm bonsai as a gift any suggestions or tips?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/hB0M8pmURCqUK7zhKpIOTw/HQv7KYdyyNZxofFS0YorTp"
community: "Bonsai Matters"
author: "Matthias"
published: "2025-12-17T00:55:54.404703Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/VXZd7C32ybaVUcZhMu2-FF9Tbh68U52GwETMMterxpc/mDI2l2ISS2OoNKAF0mrlLg.webp?size=large"
---

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# Got this Chinese elm bonsai as a gift any suggestions or tips?

_Posted by Matthias on 2025-12-17_

Got this Chinese elm bonsai as a gift any suggestions or tips?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/VXZd7C32ybaVUcZhMu2-FF9Tbh68U52GwETMMterxpc/mDI2l2ISS2OoNKAF0mrlLg.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Waspinator commented on 2025-12-17

You can prune it to style it. Yours is nursery stock with minimal training, so you can pick pretty much any style and direct it to look how you want. Its twisty trunk lends itself to informal upright, but you could replant it at an angle for a dramatic windswept or semi cascade style. Otherwise pay attention to leaf health and try to keep watering frequency good (not sure if those are old leaves dying of age or if you're overwatering)

#### Matthias replied on 2025-12-17

Just got it yesterday as a gift from my aunt. She’s getting into bonsai and she seen this at a local nursery and she got it for me. I’m learning the art of bonsai. And appreciate all the tips and suggestions

#### Waspinator replied on 2025-12-18

I made some pictures for some of the style directions you can do with it (you can see all the way around your tree, so you can customize it as much as you like, or do something totally different). The light blue is informal upright, the dark blue is windswept and planted at an angle to exaggerate it, and the red is planting at an extreme angle to do a semi-cascade. I love new bonsai because they have so much potential

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/0aEjxie6sp2j8dSN-ejLnU9dTQl1mR1VekkhDobC1Og/Nt63yANLSD-fguULITKPQQ.webp?size=large)

#### Matthias replied on 2025-12-18

Definitely appreciate those pictures I’m looking for a local class to start learning more about the art. It seems like such a fun relaxing hobby with endless opportunities and possibilities.

#### CorranQ replied on 2025-12-25

Also be aware that Chinese Elms are very much outdoor trees/plants. They go into much needed dormancy during the winter from the cold though the same effect can be achieved in an unheared garage or cold frame!

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