Steveygg
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Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:28 pm

Gifted a bonsai - need help! To identify

Hey guys.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
Received tree 4 months ago and there were lots of leaves. Watered it every other day or so and everything was fine. Pruned it a bit, tried to take care of it. It has always been indoors. About the past week the leaves have started falling. It's mid November and I live in Toronto, Canada. Hoping it is deciduous and not dead. I know you guys can help!!
Thanks again
Steve and Ivana
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1510706308767793610541.jpg

Steveygg
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:28 pm

Just another pic to help ease identification process.
Thanks again
Steve and Ivana
Attachments
15107067504161143340880.jpg

imafan26
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Posts: 13962
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:32 am
Location: Hawaii, zone 12a 587 ft elev.

It is hard to say, but my guess is a small leafed fig, ficus obliqua. A few things I would do.
There looks to be a mat of pebbles on the top. If it is glued together, take it out.

Feed the tree. 1/4 strength miracle grow once a month or a slow release fertilizer like osmocote or nutricote.

I am thinking that your days are pretty short in Toronto and the tree is going dormant because it does not get enough light. If your room is colder it will want to go dormant.

You can keep the bonsai happier and in leaf, if you can keep the room at least 60 degrees, provide humidity with a humidity tray or misting. Humidity tray = tray filled with a layer of pebbles and half filled with water. Place bonsai on top of pebbles not in the water. Provide warmth and light. Try to find a bright sunny spot that is warm with maximum light or invest in a fluorescent grow light or daylight fixture. The height should be adjustable so you can keep the light about 2-4 inches from the top of the plant. You can purchase a fixture or make one yourself. You can attach a common fixture to a shelf or a support you make. If you go with LED lamps, it will cost more and not give you a lot of warmth. You would have to use a special grow lite LED. You want to keep the lights on 14-16 hours a day. Try to keep the room warm at least 50-60 degrees. If you cannot keep the room warm. try a heat mat under the bonsai to keep the roots warm.

As your days get longer and warmer, you can wean the plant off the light by slowly decreasing the time they are on. Get a timer, less work.

You can make a pvc light stand and use a clip on lamp fitted with a fluorescent daylight bulb. Position the light directly over the plant 2-4 inches. You can attach a timer to turn the light on and off automatically. The fixture can be easily disassembled if it is not glued together for storage when it is not needed. For more plants, a grow shelf fitted with 2-4 ft fixtures are better and save space. To maximize light. You should have a reflective surface surrounding the plant. if you can get a large appliance box or make a three sided box of hinged panels covered in mylar. You will have a very good reflective surface. You can also place the plant against a painted white surface so it can reflect a little more light back to the plant.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018VI77QW/re ... 5184902231
https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-1-2-I ... /202847397
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fCo7BEKJBk
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/indoor-ga ... nd-stands/
https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/ficus

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wcousin
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Joined: Sun May 20, 2018 12:02 pm
Location: Colorado

If this thing is still alive - and I'm hoping it is - then I would recommend getting it nutrients and artificial plant lighting. Sometimes the plant isn't getting the full spectrum of the sun depending on where it is sitting in your house so artificial lighting can help. Here is where I got mine: https://wilberline.com/grow-lights.html



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