HelpfulGardener.com

Hi All,

Sorry for the long post, just want to get all the info across. New to Bonsais but decided I have to start somewhere! Got a cheap tree from a garden centre.

The label said Carmona, looks like the Fukein Tea kind. Have it a month now and I bought stick fertiliser, after reading up on it some more, I got 7-7-7 LIQUID fertiliser. Keep it warm, humid etc.

It has slowly lost leaves since I bought it. I went back to the shop were I bought it and ALL their Carmona bonsai trees are all wilted and look dead to me (although I'm no expert). At this point I was quite proud that mine looked in far better shape.

I did have an attack of aphids but ive since got rid of them with soapy water.

Since then I don't think any new leaves are growing. Some little green seeds (eventually turn into flowers I think) were growing quite well, but have since started to turn black and drop off as if they have been burnt.

The leaves had developed black spots on them, once I change fertiliser these have now changed to rusty looking patches. Some are still tuning brown/black and falling off. Some were also developing slight yellow patches on them and then going black. They all look deformed in some way.

Not sure what to do with it now! I had been misting it but decided to stop in case this was affecting the leaves. Got a humidity tray and give it a flourescent light for a few hours in the evening.

Presently keeping it out of direct sunlight to see if it will heal its leaves.

Pics are here:

https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=3.jpg

https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=4.jpg

https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=5.jpg

https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=2.jpg

https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=1.jpg


Id appreciate any help,

Steve

P.S. Some white, possibly mineral deposits at the base of the tree and on top of the soil. Too much fertiliser??

To me the tree looks like a type of citrus (I think thats what Carmonas are, but I'm not sure). Anyway, it's a citrus that you have. Now, citrus trees are notorious for two reasons. First, they are very disease/pest prone, and they require full sun. So, first thing I would do is put it back in full sun. The second thing is to spray it with an insecticide AND fungicide (neem would probably be best for this), to kill off whatever is causing this condition (either fungi or arthropods). You should apply the neem at intervals of 7-14 days (see the instuctions it comes with). This should stop whatever is attacking it. Seeing as where you got it, and the conditions the others and it are in, I would also change the soil into something more bonsai friendly as well.

Thanks for your reply bonsaiboy. I think all the insects are gone, but ill keep an eye out for them. I am considering changing the soil this weekend. Seems to hold too much water for too long. Gona get some gravel and bark and mix that with some soil and see how I get on.

Any ideas on this??

Thanks again,

Steve

bonsaiboy,

To me the tree looks like a type of citrus (I think thats what Carmonas are, but I'm not sure). Anyway, it's a citrus that you have.

I'm not sure that this is correct.

Fukien Tea (Carmona microphylla) belong to the Family-Boraginacae, Genus-Carmona.

While Citrus belong to the Family-Rutaceae, Genus-Citrus.

Norm

Looks like Fukien Tea to me. Sorry, can't help on the spots, I haven't been able to keep a Fukien Tea alive.

Thanks for the info guys. I took someones advice and repotted it in a gravel/bark/soil mix and it is looking slightly better with the better water flow through it.

My only problem now is that most if not all of the leaves have something wrong wit them.

Please look at the pics and tell me what you think.

https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=Picture0321.jpg

https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=Picture0311.jpg

Thanks

Steve

Here are some more photos, took me a while to figure out why the camera wouldnt focus! lol

[url]https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=Picture0251.jpg[/url]

[url]https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=Picture0271.jpg[/url]

[url]https://s602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/Stevebob121/?action=view&current=Picture0271.jpg[/url]


I appreciate any help,

Steve