Tex
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:09 am
Location: Texas

Bonsai Indoors - Leaves Dropping - Need Advice

Hello everyone :lol: :cry:

I found this site last night and I hope someone can help. I'm not sure what I have or haven't done but I think whatever it was I goofed. this is my first one and my family got it for my birthday. March 28th I haven't had it outside because its over 100 here and thought it may be to hot but not sure. its always been inside and now from a really full tree, I'm loosing lots of leaves and the limbs are wrinkling more than me and kinda rubbery. I'm hoping my pics come out.

anybody that can help me and my Bonsai, I would greatly appreciate it!

If you can tell me what kind this is I would appreciate that too!

[img]https://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1889/bonsai0010.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1373/bonsai0002.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7558/bonsai0003.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8355/bonsai0004.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/2541/bonsai0005.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1862/bonsai0006.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8729/bonsai0007.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img174.imageshack.us/img174/6673/bonsai0008.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img174.imageshack.us/img174/914/bonsai0009.jpg[/img]

I also sent the same mesg on the new person page, I'm new to this forum stuff but am excited to learn and meet some new friends. I apologize if I'm not doing the post correctly.

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you! :cry:
Last edited by Tex on Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

JTred
Green Thumb
Posts: 380
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:05 am
Location: Elizabeth, PA

First off, welcome to the forums.

It looks like your tree has a few of the problems that a lot of mass produced bonsai have. The glued in pebbles on top look nice and keep things clean, but ultimately it's not good for the plant. It makes it hard to water the tree properly and makes it hard for the roots to get oxygen. So what I would do first is get rid of those glued in pebbles, its probably just a layer an inch thick, and then potting soil mixed with more pebbles. This way you can better judge when to water.

Second, I would get your tree outside. All of the trees outside your house are doing fine in the 100 degree weather, I'm willing to bet yours will too, with proper watering of course. The best way to determine when to water is to stick a chopstick, pencil or finger into the soil and if it comes out clean or nearly clean, then water it.

Finally, once tree recovers, it will be better off if it is re-potted in a more freely draining mix. If the tree recovers quickly and stays strong, I would do it in the winter. A good bonsai mix contains about 1/2 to 2/3 non organic material such as akadama (fired clay) or lava rock and 1/2 to 1/3 organic material like pine bark.

You may also want to think about a fertilizing schedule. A diluted water soluble fertilizer every two weeks will probably work, but I would wait to see if the tree recovers before you start that.

Anyway sorry for the long post, its a lot to digest, good luck!

arboricola
Senior Member
Posts: 224
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:07 pm
Location: Minnesota zone 4

Tex;

Your tree is a scheflera. In addition to what JTred said; I would put the tree outside in a bright but shady location that gets maybe an hour of sun in the morning. These plants like it hot, but keep the soil damp, not wet, at all times.

Phil...

JTred
Green Thumb
Posts: 380
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:05 am
Location: Elizabeth, PA

I forgot to add, That is a very nice looking tree, and it will look even better once it has recovered.

User avatar
bonsaiboy
Greener Thumb
Posts: 892
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:54 pm
Location: Earth

Here is an exellent website with additional information on scheffleras: https://www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html



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