help on bonsai tree - it was a gift and it is dying!!?

Question

the leaves have turned yellow and are dropping off!!
have only had it for 3 weeks!
(have read similar posting's answers - and it would seem this was due to the natural leaves dropping of in autumn - but it is not autumn now!)
I don't know the type (sorry!).
The soil seems very dry, but have not watered it too much to compensate.
It is in a bright sunny spot - but it could be a little drafty - one thought.
Any suggestions / advice would be appreciated.
Thank you

Answer 1

O.K., first check if it is still alive. Gently scrape the trunk of the tre with your fingernail, carefully removing a timy piece of the outer bark. If you see a green layer between the bark and the wood, the tree is alive, if there is no green, the tree is dead and there is nothing you can do.

If the tree is an evergreen its too late. Most bonsai bought as gifts are Junipers and if the leaves are now brown the tree had been dead for atleast a few months - Junipers stay green for several months after they die.

first, if you are using the word "drafty", it means the bonsai is inside. The tree should be moved outside immediately into a shaded area. There is really no such thing as an indoor bonsai. While tropical trees can survive indoors, it is best to put them outside for the summer.

Second, are their rocks or pebbles on top of the soil? Many bonsai you buy in non-bonsai stores (i.e. wallmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc) have pebbles glued to the surface of the soil. This prevents water from absorbing. If their are pebbles glued to it, remove them immediately.

What do the leaves on the bonsia look like? Is it an evergree with litle needle like leaves, or does it have actual leaves that you would see on a deciduous or tropical tree?

If it is an evergreen the tree needs to be kept outsie year round, including hte winter. Same for a deciduous tree.

Now for what to do if the tree is still alive.

If it is still alive you either have a deciduous or tropical tree, either way, if gently scraping the bark reveils a green layer, you have an excellent chance of bring hte tree back.

First thing to do is to water it by submerging into a bowl of cool water and letting it sit their for half an hour - this ensures that it gets completely soaked and all airpockets are removed.

Place the tree in a shaded area outside that gets no direct sunlight at all. Continue to water the tree every 2-3 days or when the soil becomes nearly dry - you can check by sticking a toothpick, chopstick, skewer into the soil. After the first watering, only water it from the top as this helps flush the soil of any mineral build up and airrates the soil. In a week or two you should notice new leaves beginning to grow.

Lastly, do not feed the tree until it gets new leaves as this couls actually kill it.

Below are some links form ore info on bonsai care

Answer 2

repot into same container with some good quality bonsai soil but be careful as some bonsai's are wired in at the bottom of the pot for stability firm it well in and water well and put outside in sheltered dappled shade if you can leave it to settle in pot for a week but remembering to give it a little water everyday do not flood it and then after about a week get some good bonsai food and feed every week while in the summer an cut the feeding down to maybe every 3 weeks in the winter. If you do not see any change in tree or sign of new growth and do give it time then I'm afraid it has died and nothing you do will revive it

Answer 3

It's probably toast. Sorry. Most bonsai you buy in stores are not properly made and are on their way out when you buy them. I've never bought an already-made bonsai and had it live more than a few months. I do have several that I have made myself that are doing very well, but it takes care, constant attention, and lots of practice to keep them healthy.

You might try dunking it in water since it sounds like it dried out too much. Once the roots in a bonsai completely dry (it doesn't take long), it's pretty much a death sentence. They also like to be outside as much as possible. I leave all my cold-hardy stuff outside all year and only bring in the sensitive plants, even then for as short a time as possible. Inside air is way too dry for most bonsai.

Answer 4

Plunge into cooled boiled water for 3 minutes every two days during warmer months, spray leaves with water every day to create humidity, feed with liquid Bonsai feed once a month. Bonsai need lots of attention and TLC and don't let it dry out ! Move it out of direct sun. Good luck.

Answer 5

Leave the Bonsai tree outside, it needs air. Leaving Bonsai too long indoor may lead to bad air circulation, thus dried up. Look up here for more Bonsai Tree Care. http://mama71.fisinc.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=7111165.

Answer 6

First we have to determine the species. Hundreds of species are made into bonsai. Send me a photo:
[e-mail] and let's see if we can identify it.
If you can't send a photo, describe the foliage. All the answers you're getting are meaningless unless you can identify the species.
You might want to read the Bonsai Care page of my website:
http://www.american-bonsai.com to get a better idea of how to take care of it.....but first.......species?

Answer 7

i do not really know about bonsai trees but all plants have feelings and like to feel loved. Have you shown this tree any affection since receiving it? It probably feels very scared and stressed at the moment hence shedding its leaves.

Try giving it a name and talking to it in a kind and loving manner. You may think this silly, but just try it and see.

Also most plants do not like direct sunlight so try a partially shaded position.

Answer 8

a common bonsai for gift purposes is a Chinese elm, these have small oval leaves with serrated edges. this tripe of tree will loose its leaves when it goes through a change of environment.

Answer 9

To answer this correctly,more information is needed.
Name of tree?
Indoor/outdoor?

Answer 10

i heard u have 2 feed 8onsai's with luke warm water in a warm place 8ut not direct sunlight and no draft i dont know how correct i am though, good luck saving the lil fellow x