I really think I have killed my bonsai

[louisa76]

Can someone please help me. My partner and I brought a bonsai from our local garden shop. Um its a native to New Zealand as its a Kowhai. We have had it for a year and I have kept it outside which was working really well. It was looking beautiful until the dog broke a branch on it, and it sort of lost all its leaves. Now its bear as and the bark has sort of broken away. There's a little growth on the ends where there's little leaves starting up but very slowly. I have also re-potted it, into a bigger pot and thats where I'm at. Can someone please help!!!! It also has my babys after-birth under it as well.

[JustinBoi]

It doesn't seem to me that its dead. Maybe its just injured. Probably just put it in the sun, water it 2-3 times a day only if its dry. Test it to see if its dry. And mist the branches and leaves. It might grow back. And keep you dog away from it

[louisa76]

Thanks, I have moved away from me mums dog and I have left my bonsai outside in the sun. Its raining over here now so it'll be getting a good watering. When I'm back online I will post photos of my bonsai to show just how sickly it looks. But I'm always open for any advice as I really want it to come back to life.

[JustinBoi]

Yes, pictures would help a loads. I'm now devoted to helping you to revive your plant

[froggy]

Hi Louisa,

some trees loose their leaves because of shock due to some drastic change to their environment (soil, light, heat, humidity, pruning).

I don't know about that particular species of tree, so I don't know if the branch alone would have caused that, chances are some roots were torn as well, so you have to pay extra attention (which does not mean overwatering) to the needs of this little tree.

Firstly, if it has a spot where it always did well, keep it there and don't move it. If it is raining, make sure it has well draining soil and does not sit in water, else you may have to protect it from getting soaked or staying wet (root rot).
Make sure you check often if watering is required, but only water when the top half inch of the soil feels dry (not bone dry through and through).
A tree without foliage will need less water.
Some people may suggest to keep it in a plastic bag/tent to ensure humidity (it doesn't sound like that's a problem for you right now ).

And remember, if it has some new growth, that means it is still alive.

Key is:
Don't fuss too much.
Just keep an eye and let it grow.
No major events (styling, moving, pruning, repotting, etc) until plenty of new growth is established, which is probably at least one growing season.

Good luck

Karin

[applestar]

Could you elaborate on how you placed the placenta? Was it a ceremonial gesture? I could see why you would want to save the tree.

How long ago was it done? It seems like an over-large nutrient-dense mass to be placed under a Bonsai. It it INSIDE the pot? Is your tree planted in a shallow bonsai tray or is it still in training in a deeper container?

I can picture it working out better under an in-ground planted young tree -- even a dwarf one may be able to handle something like this without being overwhelmed. Even so, I don't think it would be a good idea if you were planting a bareroot tree and would place it with a balled-and-burlapped rootball.

I'm not saying I'm sure about this, just my impression.

Also, I was wondering IF it is shallowly buried, it may still attract unwanted attention by keen-scented animals....

[louisa76]

Thanks for your reply, When we got the bonsai it was already in a shallow tray and about 2 weeks later, I put the bonsai into another pot, placed soil then the after-birth then soil and then the bonsai. I left it alone while it settled down and it started to take off again. Then the dog broke the branch and it went into shock. So after that I moved away and just recently have place it into a larger pot which I think was a mistake. I'm a real newbie to growing bonsai and totally need help. At the moment I have put my bonsai into a grow tent to give it more sun and I check it everything day and water it when it needs it. Over in NZ, we have a custom to place the after-birth under a tree for spiritually reasons.[/img]

[louisa76]

Um does anyone know how to load your pictures on this site? I want to load my photos of my bonsai but don't know how.

[froggy]

You can upload the image to a server (if you happen to have your own website) and just use the image tags with the proper image address (https://www....jpg) - just paste it into your post, highlight it and click on the img button (between list= and URL) that should do it...

for more detailed instructions, using a photo hosting etc, check out [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3724]this thread on how to post pictures.[/url]

[manofthetrees]

wow I thought my parents were a little weird when I was younger for doing that, were not from or decended fron NZ tho. my tree is a 40 foot tall blue spuce now... neat idea to do it w/ the bonsai... anyway I have a ficus that was knocked of its shelf by my cat and and was whacked around the floor for who knows how long.it ended up loosing a branch much like yours... it took about 6 months to recoop and is doing great now.
you are correct with it probubly being in shock and I think you are on the right track in what you are doing.seeing that budding has occurred I believe it will b OK...it can take a month to rebud after defoliation
good luck with your very special tree

[Gnome]

louisa76,

Hello and welcome. I'm not familiar with the species in question but some trees do not like to have their roots disturbed and re-potting should only be done infrequently and with caution. Two re-pottings in such a short time frame may be part of the problem.

Bonsai soils are designed to drain exceptionally fast and I wonder about placing a large? mass of moist tissue in a small pot. The drainage may have been impeded or the plant simply overwhelmed. An alternate approach, for bonsai, might have been to dry the tissue and incorporate it slowly as a sort of organic fertilizer.

The fact that the bark has slipped is also worrisome. In my experience when a trunk is completely devoid of bark you are in big trouble. Looking forward to the pictures.

Norm

[louisa76]

Thank you for your concerns, Yes I do believe my plant is in shock but signs show that the plant is slowly coming bak to life. I have left it alone and only water it when it needs to be done. I have finally find how to load photos thanks to froggy, thank you very much ok without further due I will show you my babys bonsai.

[url=https://img574.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree009.jpg/][img]https://img574.imageshack.us/img574/8789/mybonsaitree009.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img697.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree008.jpg/][img]https://img697.imageshack.us/img697/9761/mybonsaitree008.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img155.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree007.jpg/][img]https://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5165/mybonsaitree007.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img708.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree006.jpg/][img]https://img708.imageshack.us/img708/6885/mybonsaitree006.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img513.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree005.jpg/][img]https://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9509/mybonsaitree005.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img715.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree003.jpg/][img]https://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5857/mybonsaitree003.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img140.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree002.jpg/][img]https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/7841/mybonsaitree002.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img209.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree001.jpg/][img]https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9909/mybonsaitree001.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img192.imageshack.us/I/mybonsaitree010.jpg/][img]https://img192.imageshack.us/img192/5392/mybonsaitree010.th.jpg[/img][/url]

I hope these pics helps.

[Lazaroo]

Hi,

I hope your little tree makes it x I'm not an expert in any way but it sounds like a lot of changes have taken place all at once. Ive learnt that bonsais prefer slow and gradual changes so I would just let it be and just water it as needed and provide as much light as possible.

I have just recently had a tree in shock from too many changes and that worked for me so far

[manofthetrees]

its really hard to tell by the pics if it will be ok, I would mist the branches with water to keep the new buds hydrated. let the soil dry out between waterings over watering will only do more damage,and like quoted before the more light the better.best of luck

[louisa76]

Thank you very much for all your help. Its currently warm in NZ and we have had quite abit of rain, and as I said before my bonsai is under a grow light to give it more light. I have had it there for about 4 days now and its finally taking it all in. I'm doing exactly what everyone has said and am watering it when it needs it. I spray the branches and make sure that the soil is not to damp or dry. I will watch it thru the holidays and make sure that it doesn't have anymore freak accidents to put it into shock, once again thank you very much, this site has been helpful as. I will totally keep everyone inform about how everything is going, a merry xmas and a happy new year everyone!!!!

[JustinBoi]

Best wishes with the Plant.

Merry Christmas + A Happy New Year