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If the soil dried out completely, it may be preventing re-wetting of the interior root mass. Dried out soil sometimes dries so hard that it repels water. The water you add from above simply rolls off the hard soil mass.

Punch a chopstick down two or three inches into the soil about an inch from the trunk. Do so again further out. See if the soil is dry inside the hole.

If it is, submerged the pot into a tub of water and let it sit for an hour or so.

If it's not dry inside, then consider the soil. Is it holding too much moisture?

14-May-2007	#2
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	If the soil dried out completely, it may be preventing re-wetting of the interior root mass. Dried out soil sometimes dries so hard that it repels water. The water you add from above simply rolls off the hard soil mass. Punch a chopstick down two or three inches into the soil about an inch from the trunk. Do so again further out. See if the soil is dry inside the hole. If it is, submerged the pot into a tub of water and let it sit for an hour or so. If it's not dry inside, then consider the soil. Is it holding too much moisture?