Purple Leafed Ulmus Chinensis

[aussie]

G'day All,

Anybody know anything about a Purple-leafed Ulmus Chinensis?

I picked one up today, a Chinese import, but the dealer knew nothing about it.

I can post a pic in a day or so.

Would really appreciate any help on this fantastic looking tree.

One tip might be, that it has the tiniest new foliage I have ever seen on an Ulmus, and this is a very glossy and definite green.

Nigel

[aussie]

Managed to get around to doing some pics, as you can see I've done nothing to the tree, apart from repotting it in the only suitable pot I have in my pot collection.

The two pics show an overall view and the other a close-up of the foliage, there is no dead foliage, and this tree will live permanently outside.

Now to upload....?

[jerseyjonny]

Nigel I have never heard of that particular species of Ulmus. My Ulmus parvifolia also puts out moroon growth in the spring, but not nearly to the extreme of yours. Great tree, I like the gnarled top roots, very penjing looking. I would amagine your elm has the same requirements as most other Chinese Elms. I'm not sure if this will help because we live in completely differerent parts of the world, but I usually fertilize heavily in the spring when new buds start to appear. Then I cut back and fertilize once every two weeks until about September(begining of fall). In my region(New Jersey, USA) Elms act dicidous and only need minor winter protection. I also cut down on watering a lot when the tree is dormant, but I water well in late spring and summer. I usually let mine grow for a few months in the spring/summer and then cut it back when it slows down growth in the fall. I've read a few times to never use systemic insecticide and fungicide on Chinese Elms. Hope this helps.

[aussie]

I had my choice of two, and these two came out of a batch of fifty that were imported from China, also I have three other C.elms that have turned evergreen, but none of them shows this purple characteristic, I tried to do a Google search and found something which I didn't understand, something about Ulmus minor purpurea. Could it be that this is a new form of the species. I suppose I shall know as I live with the tree over several seasons.

Nigel

[bononnie]

I guess this is an old posting. I am relatively new to this website and have been browsing backwards. How did you ever make out with this tree?

I hate to say, but looking at the way some leaves are mottled, I suspect this was not a purple variety, but sunburned. Still, it's a great looker.