AusBonsai

So with the growing season starting to come to an end and winter just around the corner I have been wondering what to do with my Chinese elm. I have read online that they should be brought inside once temperatures reach 15 degrees but I have also read that they need to experience a period of dormancy or else they won't last more than a few years.

So I was wondering what the rest of you do with you elms during winter, do you bring them inside and maybe give them less fertilizers or do you let them reach dormancy and then maybe put them in the garage so they are out of the elements?

In Adelaide, I've always left Chinese elms outside always. Never inside, they are pretty darn tough. Never had any issues.

I'm in bayside Melbourne, we get down to maybe 5 degrees or so during winter, and mine stay out year round . The only time i do move them to protect them is when temps go over 35 degrees and i can't be home to water.

I'm in the Canberra region and most winters are down to -3 to -6 and they remain outside and for all intent and purpose are frozen for short periods - never an issue

John(JP)
CBS

I'm in Melbourne. Cold (but hey, not as cold as Canberra ). Outside all the time. No drama at all.

As mentioned by all above, outside is where they should be and in Melbourne you will have no problems in terms of the temperature being too cold. They will be absolutely fine.
Dunno, maybe the 15 deg you speak of was in Fahrenheit??? Otherwise, I have no idea why someone would move their trees in, Chinese Elms are definitely not going to be bothered by 15deg Celsius.

Could be some confusion with Ficus? Elms are fine outside but some people move their figs into a greenhouse over winter to protect the foliage (cold snaps burn Ficus leaves and branches causing dieback). I'm in Melbourne and would never contemplate moving my elms inside, even on the coldest of nights.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Thanks for all the advice everyone. I thought it would be a bit strange to move them inside during the winter especially since Melbourne doesn't get that cold. I will let them stay put and get ready for spring. Thanks again to all the, as usual, great help.

I have a lot of chinese elms and they have always been fine in all weather.

Greg