Brand new tree needs help

Akin

Hi All,

I'm totally new to the world of bonsai.

I was given my first as a present earlier this week.
I gave it a bit of water and sprinkled the leaves and set it next to my window.

I was out of town for two days, and returned to find that its leaves are withered and some are falling and I'm very upset!

I have no clue what to do! Can anyone help?
I've attached a picture of it in its current state.

Thanks!

Attached Images

bonsai.jpg (64.3 KB, 72 views)

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Aaron_K

Hi Akin,

Firstly, if you can take a few minutes and fill out your user profile with your location and relevant heat zone info, which will help people to give you better advice in the future.

Now to the tree in question. I'm not sure of the species, but it's pretty apparent the leaves falling off are as a result of drying out, from the info you've provided. The roots had no water, and so the tree shed leaves in order to try and preserve itself.

The best thing you can do is keep the soil moist. Do not over water it, but ensure you water once, then allow the soil to dry off slightly, till its a only just moist, then water again, etc, etc.

The roots are going to need time to regrow if they have been damaged, and so foliage may well continue to fall off. You might also try misting the leaves in a bit to aid moisture loss. If its not too late, within a couple of weeks you might see new growth. If you are in summer at the moment, get it outside in the shade as it will benefit from the air circulation and humidity.

It may pull through, with a bit of luck. After a week, if you scratch the bark away on a small section of the trunk base and see green, it means the tree is still alive. If its not green, you have a dead tree.

All the best,

Aaron

Akin

Thanks for the reply Aaron - I've updated my profile info if that helps any.

I'll try what you advised - hope it works!
I'll keep this thread updated.

BTW - How often/much should I water this tree on average? How often should I spray the leaves?

susieq

Hello Aikin,
I think your tree is a Chinese variety called a Fukien Tea. If it is, you should know some things about it. It is tropical which means it needs protection in cold weather. It is considered to be a variety that maybe can be kept indoors although it would be much happier outside on your patio in filtered sun or partial shade. ( They can take full sun but seem happier with some shade) They don't like to get dry as you have found out. But they are tough little buggers. I have seen them take some awful abuse and come back from it.

They get little white, star shaped flowers which turn into little copper colored berries....that will grow more Fukien Tea. They also start from cuttings quite easily.

Without knowing where your tree came from, we can't know if it was well established in the bonsai pot or not. Summer time is the season for root pruning and potting tropicals and it is possible that your tree had just gone through this. They need a certain recovery time from that process and sometimes the leaves turn dark and dry and eventually fall off. After a time, new green buds appear and it is good as new.

I just finished repotting and root pruning a dozen of these and several of them did what yours is doing now, so maybe it just got too dry or maybe it was not well established in the pot and had just been root pruned/potted right before it was given to you. Either way, using your thumbnail, scratch the bark. If it is green, the tree will probably recover with proper care.

I have never kept mine in the house. Outside in the summer heat, they need watered once a day. Inside a house, probably once every 3 or 4 days or maybe even once a week. The soil should be damp, NOT wet. I am sure you can find all sorts of past posts on Fukien Teas with lots of helpful info. Good luck with your tree and welcome to bonsai talk.
Sincerely,
susieq

Akin

Ok, an update:

All of the leaves have since fallen off.
I scratched the bark and it is green underneath.

I've watered it twice, and already it looks like a few new leaves are sprouting,
So i'm hoping its recovering.

I'm gonna stick to watering it every 3-4 days I think, and misting it a bit each day.

Just one question though:
When I fully water the plant, how much water should I use?
My pot has two holes on the bottom for excess water to drain from, so should I just soak the pot and let the excess water drain?

Thanks for you help everyone.