Can I save my bonsai tree?

Question

I have had a 3 year old bonsai tree since September and it did well until I went away for a few days around Christmas (supposedly a friend took care of it when they fed the cats). It hasn't been quite the same since, the leaves have started to black at the edges and fall off and most of the smaller branches are no longer green in the middle. I water it about 1/3 cup of water every other day or so, it's on a window so it has plenty of sunshine, I'm not sure what else to do. Is it indeed dying? Can I save it all? I'd hate to lose it, they're expensive to replace and was an anniversary gift for my wife...

Unfortunately I do not recall exactly what type of bonsai it is, the site I bought it from shut down since then. I give it tap water that has gone through one of those filtered pitchers, so not straight from the tap. There may be a specialist in the area, I hope so, because like I said I got it offline and the site is no longer running.

Answer 1

"Bonsai" means "small" and is NOT a kind of plant.

What kind of tree do you have in a miniature size? It may be that you have a tree that is deciduous (drops its leaves in the winter). If so, then you are probably OK.

"A few days" of neglect shouldn't bother a bonsai, unless it is in a very warm spot (window or near a heat register).

What kind of water are you using? I would recommend bottled water, unless your tap water is really pure! (Especially look out for chlorine).

Since it is pretty hard to be a plant doctor from long distance :)), I would recommend that you take the plant back where you got it or look for a nursery specializing in Bonsai in your area. A specialist at a Bonsai nursery would probably be better equipped to figure out what is going wrong here!!

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Saving your tree depends on several factors. The first is to positively identify it. An Aristotelian question "What is it?" Secondly, keep in mind that it may not be a bonsai at all, but may have been sold as one. Bonsai is a technique among other things, but is not signified by the prescence of a ceramic pot. Next keep in mind that most bonsai must be kept outdoors. However there are some that can be kept indoors(though they never really do that well). Here is one of the reasons why it is important to know what you have. In general people classify bonsai trees insofar as their practical horticulture is concerned into several categories, but here we'll just use two. Indoor and Outdoor species. If you have something like a bouegenvialla, or sheffelaria you have what is known as an indoor bonsai(which are also primarily tropical as well.). If you have a juniper, pine, or maple you fall into the outdoor category. Most 'bonsai's' that are sold in malls, and stands, as novelty items are junipers. It matters little what species but that all of them must be kept outdoors, and even in the winter protected outdoors from ice, snow, and any temperature's below 30 degrees F.
If the leaves have begun to turn black you are probably watering it to much and the roots are rotting. Only water the tree if it needs watered. To determine this simply use a finger, or chopstick, and push either into the soil about half of an inch. If it 'feels' wet in the former case than the tree does not need watered. If the chopsticl in the latter case comes up wet, or has soil sticking to it, the tree is fine and does not need watered. Another reason for root rot can be fungus, or that the tree is sick or dying because it has been planted in inadequete soil. All bonsai soil should drain very quickly. Also keep in mind that trees will grow sick and die if they are not fed. You can use green king pellets for most trees, although fetilizers usually change depending on the season, and what you plan to do. Fertilizer is also chosen on a species to species case. For instance you wouldn't feed a Japanese black pine the same kind of food that you would an azalea.
Always remember that the tree will tell you how much water it needs, though you ought to check it at least once a day as I described above. If the soil is wet do not water the tree. If it is dry water it.
As far as sun, bonsai's are all different at least from species to species. Junipers for instance can be different depending on whether you have a San Jose, or Shimpaku juniper. Most small junipers are procumbens, or nana junipers. It may be too late to save your tree, however remember that you can get nice trees online from reputable dealers that are willing to answer all of your questions. Your first question though always before buying anything ought to be "what is it?"
Thank you, and I hope this helped. If you need anything else I'll be checking the Growbonsai group periodically and will try to get back to you. Good luck!

Justin

Answer 3

Yes most trees go into a semi dormant state in the winter including most bonsai. It is possible since you have cats that they may have urinated in the tree during your absences; just to be on the safe side I would soak cleanse the soil. You can do that just by putting it in the bathtub and letting the water soak into the pot from the bottom. Allow it to soak for a couple of hours then remove the pot and place it over a pan to allow it to drain completely. When it has drained pour some of your dirty dishwater through the roots it will help hold the nutrients to the roots. I would also add a little plant food to the dishwater mix. Be sure and let the tree dry nearly completely out between watering's. It is a tree so like the ones that grow outside you need to drench it like once a week to a week and half between watering's. This is just generalized info without knowing what kind of tree and the geographical area that you have it growing in I really can't help anymore than this. I plant mine outside every winter and re-pot them in the spring.

Answer 4

Hi I have several Chinese Elms which I have had now for many years I would think from what you have said it will be lack of water which is the problem. I would suggest placing the tree in a tray of water and make sure the bottom of the plant container is at least below water level. Leave in the water for a few hours to allow the soil to take up the water. Depending on the size of the plant container I use an old plastic take away container for small trees. I do this once a week for any trees I have indoors, Chinese Elms can go outside in the spring through to autumn, but bring them in if there is any chance of frost. I am located in Nottingham UK Good luck Regards John

Answer 5

I can't believe the advice people are giving you without knowing the species of tree. Send me a photo or describe the foliage at:
[e-mail] . No point in saying more until we know what it is, and where you live so we know about the weather.
You may also want to read the Bonsai Care page of my website:
http://www.american-bonsai.com

Answer 6

Sounds lik they may have watered it too much..brown tips on leaves is sign of that..cut the water supply off for a few days..I think thats way too much for a bonsai.

Answer 7

I think you are giving it too much water. I don't know of any plant that needs that much water. Allow it to dry out and then just give it a quarter cup once a week. You also may want to research this on google.

Answer 8

Be sure you use the proper fertilizer.If someone has smoked around your plant it may die.This type of tree is very sensitive to smoke

Answer 9

yes