derst27
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Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:22 pm
Location: Hackettstown, NJ

Problem with Bonsai Orange Tree - HELP!

I purchased a bonsai orange tree sometime in October and it has since become a completely different plant. Upon purchase the tree had small fruit, nice even colored leaves and looked perfect. We went away for about 4 days and when we came back the tree looks like it does below. About half of the leaves on the plant were curled and brittle and the little oranges were shriveling and eventually turned brown and fell. Originally I thought it was a watering issue, but someone told me it looks like there's some kind of bug tracks on the good leaves - I've since plucked the curled leaves. I haven't seen any bugs so I'm not sure if it's an insect problem. I have never had the plant outside and I'm not sure what's going on. From reading up about the condition(s), I've come to the conclusion the plant may have become stressed from its move and we possibly might have overwatered it at a time when it should have begun to become dormant. As I mentioned, we plucked the dying leaves and the branches that remain still look green, which seems like a good sign ( I tried to get a picture of that below but it may not be clear). I'm wondering if I need to prune the branches; as of yet I have not touched the actual branches, just took off the dead leaves...? Also - you may notice this from some of the pictures below - the main branch seems to be the one that is dying, since all the leaves on that main trunk curled up and are now plucked off. The offshoot is the one branch that seems healthy and that is the branch that is fostering the green leaves. Is there anything I can do to make the plant come back? PLEASE HELP!
[img]https://gallery.photo.net/photo/5209144-lg.jpg[/img] [img]https://gallery.photo.net/photo/5209145-lg.jpg[/img]
[img]https://thumbs.photo.net/photo/5210733-sm.jpg[/img]
[img]https://thumbs.photo.net/photo/5210729-sm.jpg[/img]

Thanks,
Dave
Last edited by derst27 on Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:37 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Gnome
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Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

Dave,
I purchased a bonsai orange tree sometime in September and I think it has since been infected with some sort of insect.
it looks like there's some kind of bug tracks on the good leaves - I've since plucked the curled leaves. I haven't had the plant outside and I'm not sure what's going on. Is there any sort of spray or anything I can try?
Unless you are sure that you are having insect problems and, more specifically, an identification of the culprit, an insecticide cannot be recommended.
We went away for like 4 days and when we came back the tree looks like it does below. About half of the leaves on the plant were curled and brittle and the little oranges were shriveling and eventually turned brown and fell. Originally I thought it was a watering issue,
That would be my first guess as well.

This is not a species that I am familiar with; this thread offers a little help. You should always use the search function first by the way.
[url]https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2073&highlight=citrus[/url]

Also utilize "the google" There must be some information out there.

In the meantime use caution in watering. With reduced foliage comes reduced water consumption.

Norm

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You payed money for that! Ahahaha, what were you fed paint chips as a child?

ynot
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Posts: 1219
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:49 am
Location: USDA Z:5a Sunset Z. 41 IL

I agree with Gnome that google would be your best bet.
Try 'Citrus care' or variations on that.
Keep in mind your returned results will refer [primarily] to in ground trees though it may give you a clue to the cause of the problem.
Good luck,

ynot

Ps: Please ignore those who strive to make their first impression....A bad one. No doubt that if they had specimens to show they would have posted them. :roll:



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