AusBonsai

Hey folks,

I have another plant I need identified please. This thing self seeded in our neglected front garden, most likely from bird droppings.

Anyway, I was hoping someone would be able to identify it. I was going to pull it out, but then I thought.... maybe its worth bonsai(ing)?

Thanks in advance

I'll have two bob on Chinese Elm. They make great bonsai.

Thank for your "two bob" Watto, but I'm not sure that's it. To me, the leaf doesn't match any pictures I've seen.

The leaf on my plant looks more "waxy"? and the tip shape is different. Mind you, this could be because its immature.

But you've at least given may a direction to look, so thank you.

Happy to hear any other suggestions

Cheers

I agree it is a Chinese Elm. Suggest you take a sample to the Bonsai Society meeting in November. You can also take a sample to the Bonsai collection at the Arboretum.

Roger

Thanks Roger,

RogerW wrote:I agree it is a Chinese Elm. Suggest you take a sample to the Bonsai Society meeting in November. You can also take a sample to the Bonsai collection at the Arboretum.

Roger

Well thats two for two on Chinese Elm, A freebie

Roger, I was planning on taking a sample to the meeting as well.

The leaf may be just different due to seed variation.
The alternate leaves, Red petioles and serrated edges give it away as being Chinese elm

Ken

Seems unanimous!

Well this is so

Boics wrote:Seems unanimous!

As we're due to clear this front garden bed out, I'll have to transplant this into a growing pot asap. Thanks to the birds, I have a FREE Elm to play with.

Thank you very much everyone for your assistance with the Id.

I'll also call it a Chinese elm. They self seed easily and, as someone else pointed out, seedlings are quite variable. Many plants also exhibit different characteristics when they are in less than ideal conditions so the different leaves could be a result of not getting enough nutrients, etc.

Another possibility is that it is a different variety. I have an elm I call Catlin elm (but not sure if that is the correct name) I believe it is a variety of Chinese elm but it has smaller, darkr green leaves and is almost evergreen.
Whatever sort it is it should be good for bonsai.