princesspui
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:54 pm

HELP, MY BONSAI IS DYING

I've had my bonsai tree since June and last month I let it dry out for too long, I'm supposed to water it every 2 weeks but I left it 3 weeks before I watered it. Now all the leaves have fallen off, the trunk is getting really thin a pale looking, how can I bring it back, I'm watering it every time the soil goes dry but is there anything else I can do?

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Gnome
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5122
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

princesspui,

There is not much you can do now other than wait and cross your fingers. If you make a small cut/deep scratch low on the trunk and see living green tissue there may still be hope, otherwise not so much. It may help to make a tent out of a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse of sorts. Do not keep it too wet, that will do no good now.

I'm supposed to water it every 2 weeks
This is terrible advice. Depending on species, location, season of the year and type of soil there MAY be instances when a tree need not be watered for extended periods but to make such a definitive statement is foolhardy and your tree has suffered the consequences.

IF your tree really took two weeks to dry during the summer then that indicates that the soil is entirely inappropriate. Proper bonsai soil drains like a pot full of gravel and the wet/dry cycle should occur much more frequently especially during summer.

What species of tree is it? Where are you located and how has the tree been kept WRT location, inside/outside, it is hard to make meaningful comments without basic information, Please post some pictures if you are able.

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3724

Also take a look at the general growing sticky located at the top of the page for basic watering information.

Norm



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