A month and a half ago, my sister and I bought our mother the Caliandra emarginata bonsai tree shown here:
[url]https://www.smithandhawken.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=prod24105&categoryId=cat240028p[/url]
When it arrived, more than half of the leaves were dry and dull-looking and fell off with the slightest touch; my sister and I told my mother that she should let us return it since it did not look well (and for $30 shipping, we thought it should at least look healthy).
She decided to keep it and try to repair the tree. Unfortunately it did not work and the tree has now lost all of its leaves and is just the trunk. The branches have a fair amount of give to them still, but will break if you bend it too far.
I am just curious if there would be any possible way to salvage it at this point or if it is a lost cause. Perhaps a terrarium and sun lamp with some kind of fertilizer?
Thanks for the help.
Liz
I don't think you'll get this one to come back. It sounds like it was already on the way out before it left the facility to display so much damage just from shipping (even in cold weather). If there was any guarantee, I would apply for a refund or replacement. Barring any official guarantee, you can argue that the goods you purchased were not representative of the goods offered for sale (I.e. the tree was ailing before you took possession of it) and request a refund for a faulty product.
LizR, you don't say where you live, but I've purchased a few items from Smith & Hawken over the years, and all were of excellent quality.
I haven't bought plants, but tools and accessories, from them.
Please give them a phone call. Talk to a real-live person! and express your disappointment over this gift to your mom. Sooner rather than later; there may be some kind of 30-day or 60-day or something limit on plants. I really don't know.
But Smith & Hawken has a generally good reputation here in the Bay Area, their place of "birth."
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
I haven't bought plants, but tools and accessories, from them.
Please give them a phone call. Talk to a real-live person! and express your disappointment over this gift to your mom. Sooner rather than later; there may be some kind of 30-day or 60-day or something limit on plants. I really don't know.
But Smith & Hawken has a generally good reputation here in the Bay Area, their place of "birth."
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
cynthia_h, I live in Pittsburgh PA and if I recall correctly it was fairly cold when the item arrived. I imagine that didn't help matters much.
kdodds, I was afraid that was the case but figured I'd try and see if there was anything that could be done to salvage it. I agree though that it's probably a lost cause at this point.
I will definitely take both of your advice and try calling to see if anything can be done.
I appreciate the help!
Liz
kdodds, I was afraid that was the case but figured I'd try and see if there was anything that could be done to salvage it. I agree though that it's probably a lost cause at this point.
I will definitely take both of your advice and try calling to see if anything can be done.
I appreciate the help!
Liz
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- Location: Central Oklahoma
My C emarginata are incredibly resilient, fwiw. Leaf loss happens with environment change, especially if leaves get too hot/cold, IME. Or if soil dries out - the leaves are a barometer (somewhat anyways) of past 'bad' things.
Firstly, do a scratch test low on trunk (scrape off tad of bark to see if cambium is still greenish, or dry/brown. If green shows, it will live, I bet
Just do not overwater - they are slow to rebud (!!!). They also slow down in growth a great deal when brought indoors for 'winter', so it may recover in slow-motion, so to speak.
I really, really, really like the emarginata(s), so I hope yours does well. I am going to do some major cuttings this Spring, and I hear they are easy to get rooted, so that is another 'plus' for the recovery of yours...
Optimistically,
Alex
Firstly, do a scratch test low on trunk (scrape off tad of bark to see if cambium is still greenish, or dry/brown. If green shows, it will live, I bet
Just do not overwater - they are slow to rebud (!!!). They also slow down in growth a great deal when brought indoors for 'winter', so it may recover in slow-motion, so to speak.
I really, really, really like the emarginata(s), so I hope yours does well. I am going to do some major cuttings this Spring, and I hear they are easy to get rooted, so that is another 'plus' for the recovery of yours...
Optimistically,
Alex
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:21 am
- Location: Central Oklahoma