New silverberry tree, Help!
I was given what I'm pretty sure is a silverberry for xmas, but the leaves have started to drop and what looks like mould is growing on the soil and base of the tree, I keep it indoors, is this normail or can you help?
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Gnome
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Emily,
Welcome to the site. If you have moldy soil it may indicate that you are over-watering the plant or that the soil is in poor condition, or possibly both. This would also account for the leaf drop problem. Can you describe your watering practices and the condition of the soil. A picture may help as well.
Norm
Welcome to the site. If you have moldy soil it may indicate that you are over-watering the plant or that the soil is in poor condition, or possibly both. This would also account for the leaf drop problem. Can you describe your watering practices and the condition of the soil. A picture may help as well.
Norm
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Gnome
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Emily wrote:
If your soil is still moist then the tree does not need to be watered. Let it dry somewhat, but not excessively so, before watering again. Wet, dense soil as you describe leads to root damage. Damaged roots cannot do their job. So, ironically, despite being in wet soil the tree is suffering from dehydration thus the leaf drop.
Norm
I prefer to water from above with a watering can that has a fine rosette that does not disturb the soil. A root bound tree or one that has been allowed to dry out may benefit from watering by the submersion method. If done on a regular basis, however, it has a tendency to let minerals and salts that may be in your water accumulate in the soil.I water it as it stated on the box it came in, putting in a bowl of water that covers the soil then draining, could you give me some watering tips? I wartered it on sunday and the soil is still moist and quite compact.
If your soil is still moist then the tree does not need to be watered. Let it dry somewhat, but not excessively so, before watering again. Wet, dense soil as you describe leads to root damage. Damaged roots cannot do their job. So, ironically, despite being in wet soil the tree is suffering from dehydration thus the leaf drop.
Norm
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Gnome
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Emily
Go here: https://imageshack.us/ "Browse" to the location on your PC where the image resides then click the "Host it" button.
After the file is done uploading choose the appropriate image code from the list, "thumbnail for forums" is good. Left click on the code to highlight the code then right click and COPY the code.
Come back here and right click and PASTE the code into your next post.
Norm
Go here: https://imageshack.us/ "Browse" to the location on your PC where the image resides then click the "Host it" button.
After the file is done uploading choose the appropriate image code from the list, "thumbnail for forums" is good. Left click on the code to highlight the code then right click and COPY the code.
Come back here and right click and PASTE the code into your next post.
Norm
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Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
Emily,
Good job getting the picture up. I can see the mold and the fallen leaves. It appears that your soil is dense and primarily organic/peat based. If that is correct it probably holds too much water, remain cautious about your watering technique. If my assessment of your soil is correct you will probably want to re-pot this spring using a proper bonsai soil. Please read the sticky at the top of this forum regarding soil.
You can use an old toothbrush to remove the fungus at the base of your trunk, just be gentle and don't damage the bark.
On another note, I am not so sure of your identification. Look at these two sets of photos and see what you think.
Elaeagnus/Silverberry: [url]https://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Elaeagnus+&btnG=Search+Images[/url]
Fukien Tea: [url]https://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=fukien+tea[/url]
Norm
Good job getting the picture up. I can see the mold and the fallen leaves. It appears that your soil is dense and primarily organic/peat based. If that is correct it probably holds too much water, remain cautious about your watering technique. If my assessment of your soil is correct you will probably want to re-pot this spring using a proper bonsai soil. Please read the sticky at the top of this forum regarding soil.
You can use an old toothbrush to remove the fungus at the base of your trunk, just be gentle and don't damage the bark.
On another note, I am not so sure of your identification. Look at these two sets of photos and see what you think.
Elaeagnus/Silverberry: [url]https://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Elaeagnus+&btnG=Search+Images[/url]
Fukien Tea: [url]https://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=fukien+tea[/url]
Norm
Please respond to Gnomes previous question about species ID...emilyj wrote:Hi, I have continued to water my bonsai in the way you suggested but all the leaves have now dropped! It looks as thogh there are new shoots growing from the tree but they are in poor health, I will post a picture as soon as I can.
Have you been watering only when it requires it?
With less foliage it will have less transpiration [water loss through the leaves] and therefore will use less water than normally.
This doesn't mean that you water any less [You still saturate completely each time you water.] It simply means that you water less often.
Your tree did not get sick over night, The road back will not be any quicker.
These things take time.
...looking forward to the pictures,
ynot