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Hello all,

I'd greatly appreciate any advice or expertise anyone can offer as I'm entirely new to the world of bonsai. A friend and I took an introductory bonsai class a few weeks ago and I've been absolutely mesmerized since then. At the end of the class we were given a ficus to get started with, which I really enjoy working on (picture attached after re-potting).

I majored in Bio as an undergrad and remembered learning about the Japanese Zelkova and upon doing some reading online, decided to purchase one (definitely impulsive on my part but I could not help myself :b).

Can anyone with experience recommend a preferable soil mix for this particular species?
Another issue I have is that the leaves dry out rather quickly, how serious/detrimental can this be to the plant's health?

Some background info:

I live in NYC, I keep my plants on a fire escape where they can receive partial sun/shade
I purchased the Zelkova at an online retailer ( ) where it was cultivated indoors, shipped to me in a box which took ~2 days
I water it in the morning before I go to work and at night according to how dry/moist the soil feels and usually mist the leaves with a spray bottle
I leave the house at ~6AM and return ~6:30PM

Am I doing a well enough job to ensure that it survives?? I would also like to move it into a 1gal pot and leave it to grow there for a few years, any thoughts on this?

I've attached a picture of both, thank you kindly for reading = ]

Hey omar,

welcome to the forum.

I think you might have trbouble on the fire escape with drying winds. But that is hard to tell from here

The Zelkova seems to be in a proper mix. From what I see here, you can water as much as I want. The ficus.. That might be more dificult. But in the place where you keep it, it should be fine.

Drying of leaves.. On the Zelkova? It will probably loose a lot more considering the transition between where it has been grown and where you are keeping it. Fingers crossed and hope the jump in locations is not too big.

For now, do not do anything with them, except for getting them to grow strongly in the new spot.

Thank you so much for your input, I'm going to do just that.