Bonsai dying after being shipped?? Is there anything I can do?

alkolula

I recently purchased a Lavender Star Flower Bonsai while I was in Flordia. There was a flower expo at Epcot and a reputable nursery was there selling bonsai. Since I had flown, the nursery shipped the tree to me.
When the tree arrived, the base was wrapped in cellophane, the soil was saturated and the base was hot and damp. At the time, the tree had all of its leaves and flowers. Within 2 days, the bonsai started losing its leaves as if autumn set it. After four days, about 75% of its leaves fell.
After the second day I placed the bonsai outside in the shade.
I'm not sure what to do next and if there is any hope of saving the tree.

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Moleque_san

How long was it in shipment?
Got pics?

Its possible that the tree overheated itself like it was mid to late summer and dropped its leaves to use less synthesis. Keep it in the shade and low so it stays cooler then gradually introduce sun.

otherwise:
check the roots, if they are still strong you could be ok
do the scratch test (cambium green = tree has a chance)

EDIT: this just hit me... you might want to repot with fresh soil to avoid any unwanted moisture buildup that may have been a result of the wrap.

Joanie

Where do you live? You can go to User CP and fill in your location. Did you keep the tree inside for the first two days?

It may just lose all of its leaves and then come back with new growth, but have you contacted the nursery yet?

Don't overwater, because if the tree doesn't have many/any leaves it won't be able to transpire or use the water in the soil. Just water when the soil is barely damp. (Unless Lavendar Star Flowers are different? Does anyone know?)

Joanie

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Mcspeed

Call the vendor, ask them if this would be expected. The ship time could have been delayed out of his control, but he also may have paid for quicker delivery time, or insured it. Talk to them first, they may surprise you, Customer service is huge in commercial sales and they know it, find out what kind of Co. you dealt with.

aside from that the leaves may restore, and the tree go on it's merry way, those UPS trucks get pretty hot during the day. You may have said it best though, "a reputable dealer", call them.


Good Luck

jcayer

Hi,

I have a couple of those trees. Sometimes they lose their leaves and new ones just come. Somekind of a leaf renewal process.

I Don't know for your tree but I'd leave it in the shade for some time and wait. But be careful not to overwater and don't fertilize.

Of course, we don't know what were the conditions before/during shipping...

Have you tried to scratch the bark to see if it's green underneath ?

Good luck,

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Best regards,

Jean

alkolula

Wow, thank you all for replying. Someone in another forum suggested that I repot the tree in 70% damp compost 30% pea gravel and place in a cool dry area. It seems though, with what I've been reading today, repotting might traumatize the tree more? Is that true?

I have no idea how long the shipment was.

I do not currently have any pictures but if it does not shape up, I will post some.

I have not scratched the bark but I did notice after posting the original post it looks as if it might have two new buds. There are maybe a dozen leaves left and they are green and looking healthy.

It was kept in the house for two days before placing it outside in the shade.

Thanks again for all your help! I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

Cathie

It is a Mexican tree (Cuphea hysipholia-sp?) and does not appreciate being drowned. If they sent it to you soaking wet, I'd get back to them for a replacement, refund, whatever.

jcayer

The name for the lavender star flower is a Grewia Occidentalis or Grewia Cafra. It's origin is from South Africa.

Google "Grewia Occidentalis" ...

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Pla...cidentalis.html

etc...

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Best regards,

Jean