Don't you hate it when your biggest fear comes true

malik

I knew it...well at least I knew there was a chance of it happening. I waited until the the hottest time of the year here in Nashville.....July. I repotted my Black olive (bucida spinosa) and did not remove many roots at all. I used the right kind of soil mix and gave it the right amount of light( away from direct, but bright idirect sunlight.)

I noticed that one branch was starting to lose it's leaves and I expected some stress to show up. But today...in just one day...this tree droped almost 80% of it's leaves! I have no idea what my next step should be.

I am actually leaving for a week and my mother is going to water the tree while I am gone. I am thinking of bringing it inside to a sunny window sill(since it is a tropical) so that it won't accidently be neglected or over-watered.

What is the deal...who has experience with this specie or who has had this happen to a tree of theirs? any tips?

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onlyrey

It can still come back to life, I had one which I left in the watering system after losing all its leaves and it just came back to life. I had done the scratch test, and many branches didn't have any green, but they were still flexible. It was left in full sun and daily watering for 10 minutes every day at 6 AM. So, just don't throw it away yet, treat it as it were alive; I believe mine was leafless for 3 to 4 weeks. It now has leaves everywhere, small and sparse, but everywhere.

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Disclaimer: All my bonsai are beautiful, the pictures lie.

Allen

Malik,

I have a bonsai nursery in south Fl. and have about 4,000 spinosa at the moment. I have been hands on with this species for about 15 years. From what it sounds like the tree was shocked by root pruning, I doubt from drying out. The worst thing you can do is take it out of the sun and over water it. When the leaves fall of I usually see that as a positive sign because it shows that the plant is adapting to a stressfull situation on it's own. If the leaves turn brown and stay on that is evidence of the plant dying. Any new leaves that bud out will naturally adapt to full sun and infact need the light to supply the new feeder roots, when it comes to watering I recomend only water when the plant begins to dry or at most one good shower in the morning.
This may sound redundant after reading onleyrey's response so at least take the advice as something beyond a shot in the dark.
Cheers
Allen

raj

My first Bonsai was a Black Olive. It was a gift and although I was interested in Bonsai, had not committed myself like I have now.

Anyway, I left it inside, in the bathroom, good light and plenty of humidity. Or so I thought.

I got it in March for my birthday. It struggled throught the winter indoors where the humidity got very low. The following spring, I put it outside and at first all the leaves fell off. But then tons of new growth! I then put it back inside but that was the deathnell. It didn't make it.

I know that this gift cost $350. I was heartbroken that I killed it. But I have since added more than 20 specimens to my collection. Though none are "sub tropical".

I would suggest outside, dappled light and see what happens. Indoors has not been kind to me.

Good luck.

jfecme

Look at what I say about myself below. Bucida spinosa is not one of my success stories!

I've given up on it. You see lots of folks here that just love it. I do, too, but I don't think I'll try to grow one again. I basically had the same experience you have had with every one of the 3 I've bought. After while you come to the realization that in some things the gods are not on your side!

Good luck! And do keep us posted.

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BunjinEnt

Patience Grasshopper. I wouldn't write it off, yet. Follow what Allen and Onlrey suggest. And let nature do the rest.

-Wm

malik

Well tell me which option you believe is best.... I am leaving to go to Orlando Florida tommorrow and I will have some checking in on it daily. Should I...

A: leave it outside where for the week I am gone it will recieve lots of humidity and bright indirect light or..

B: Place it inside on a humidity tray in front of a window where it will recieve a great amount of direct sunlight.

Either way when i come back it will be outside in sunlight, but just for this week what should I do?

By the way...where is your nursery in relation to Disney Wolrd Allen?

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jeremy_norbury

He da man.

I have no experience with this one - but I DO know that Olive and Prunus will do this whole drama queen thing too. So it comes as no surprise to me that this did too.

Listen to what Allen says, it sounds very sage to me...

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malik

Great News!!!!

The Black Olive has new buds growing everywhere! It has been 1 week since the dropping of the leaves. I do wonder though....since these new buds are coming out in bright indirect light won't they be adjusted for growth in the shaded condition? Or should I move it into direct sun?

I figure it must be getting enough light or else it might not have come back so strong right?

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