Help with tea tree, losing all leaves...

ekko1

Hi everybody, I am new here. I just recently got this tea tree and I am guessing I overwatered it at first and some of the leaves started to yellow. I leave it outside in direct sunlight. It seems like it is losing more and more leaves every day. My question is I really have no idea how much I am supposed to be watering it. I know your are now supposed to overwater/underwater but i have no idea what that means. Can someone give me more of idea like "once every other day" or "twice a week"?? Also, will this tree still be ok? The teperature outside also got down to about 50 degrees F a few nights. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it dropping leaves. Somebody please help!! here are some before and after pics.

thank you

http://brentloies.googlepages.com/11.jpg

http://brentloies.googlepages.com/12.jpg

http://brentloies.googlepages.com/13.jpg

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_gonzo_

YIKES!

My guess would be that your plant was shade grown and it has now been placed in full sun without enough water and has literally burned up. Do you know your ZONE? If not where are you?

new4me

Oh boy that tree looks dry. What is your locatin, bonsai are not like house plants, care must be taken with watering. If you are keeping this tree in the full sun get it out! Then water it from above until water drains from the bottom of the pot(holes in bottom of pot). Next is the tricky part, water schedule. You only want to water the tree as it needs it, ther is a learning curve, check it every day and if the soil is dry on top 1/4 inch add water til it drains from the bottom of the pot. If it is moist dont water. If your tree is going to make it in about 7-10 days you will see new growth, but you might be in trouble because teas are touchy. This is the method i use and it seems to work well for me. Once your tree is healthy you can start giving fert at half strength.Good luck hope this helps.


Rich

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When you stop looking, the more you will see

ekko1

thanks for the fast replys. I live in zone 9 and I was under the impression that this tree needed direct sunlight. I will definately take it out of direct light and water as soon as i get home. Say a lil prayer for my tree and hopefully I will be able to post some pics when/if it recovers.

_gonzo_

OK, the more info the better...

If it was in full sun and too dry, or shade grown or any combination thereof:

Try and keep it in good light or even in filtered sunlight but, not direct sun. If you cannot do that, keep it indoors and gradually reintroduce it to morning sun only as the next best thing once it recovers. This plant does not want to dry out (completely) either so keep it moist but not sopping wet. Do water whenever the soil feels like it is drying but, also make sure the pot is draining well.

If it was exposed to too much cold weather:

You would get a similar reaction. So try and protect from cold as well if it applies.

If it has been newly repotted and the root system disturbed and then placed in full sun:

Even morning sun now is not advisable for some weeks depending on recovery.

For the coming weeks do what you can to keep it damp and protected. If it is not too far gone, it should show signs of new growth soon.

Finally, just so you know, if it were over watered as you initially thought, the leaves would have started to turn dark brown or almost black instead of yellow.

Good luck to you.

Cheers,

_gonzo_

PatArizona

G'day Ekko...

Good advice above, however, below is a disertation I used to hand out to classes I taught, and to beginners at club meetings...

It works for me...it may work for you.

The most important element in watering your bonsai is the SOIL! To minimize water-related problems, I use a free draining soil mix that will allow water to run through, and at the same time, absorb water and oxygen.

In order for you to water your bonsai properly, you need to learn the watering needs of each of your trees. One of the following statements should describe the needs of each of your trees.
Keep moist at all times, but not wet.
Water only if the soil is drying out.
Water when the soil is almost dry.
Water when the soil has dried to the point that it will be DRY before your next watering.
When soil is DRY, water yesterday.

The second most important element in watering you bonsai is: water each individual bonsai only when it needs watering…and every time you water it, give it a thorough drenching!

The Watering Process…this process assumes the use of a proper, well draining bonsai soil mix.

To determine when a bonsai needs watering, check the water content of the soil at 1½-2” below the surface. I use a small “chopstick” (a bamboo skewer) in the soil to indicate watering requirements. (Some say to stick your finger into the soil to assess moisture level. However, I tired of having to clean my fingernails every time I checked for water needs).

Daily, for each individual bonsai, I pull the “chopstick” out of the soil and check the moisture. If the bonsai needs watering (moist, drying out, almost dry, dry…), I do not replace the “chopstick” until after watering…no “chopstick” means water now”! If you are not certain of the state of damp/dry, wipe off the dirty end of the "chopstick" and draw it lightly across your cheek (or the under side of your wrist). That will give you a feel for how much moisture is in the soil.

With experience you may be able to tell when a plant needs water by lifting the plant, and/or by what the plant looks like…goodbye “chopstick”!

I then water each of the identified bonsai the same way…always overhead watering, never by emersion. Use the following steps:

• Water lightly with a fine spray, from a distance of 12-18”… just 10-30 seconds (depending on the size of the bonsai being watered). This will relax the surface tension, allowing the free flow of water…wait 5-10 minutes.
• Move the spray nozzle closer, and water until water runs freely out through the drain holes.

IMPORTANT NOTE 1…watch how fast the water starts draining from the bottom of the pot. If it is almost instantaneous, it is likely that water has flowed to the edges of the pot, drained down and out…bypassing the soil and root ball. This bonsai may be rootbound. If “standing water” takes more than 1 minute to drain, the soil is not draining freely enough…watch for root rot!

IMPORTANT NOTE 2…water the plant for a sufficient period of time to be sure that the soil has been completely hydrated, without relying solely on water emerging from the drain holes as an indicator of proper watering.

This (Step2) watering will loosen dust and dissolve excess and unwanted minerals and salts, which have collected in the soil. As the water runs down through the soil, air is drawn into the small channels between the soil particles…if you listen closely, and your hearing is good, you may be able to hear the air rushing in! THEN…Wait about 10 minutes for this process to work.

• Now, give the soil a good drenching…this watering flushes out the remaining dislodged excess and harmful waste materials.
• Give all bonsai a good foliar spray about once a week…to remove dust and dirt.

Note: I use tap water (here in Southern Arizona “tap” is well water) for all my watering…with very little sign of salt or mineral buildup on pots or trunks…EXCEPT: Some buildup on leaves. Any bonsai that I plan on showing will get a good, daily foliar spraying, using bottled water, for a week or more before the showing.
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Remember, bonsai is a trip that requires time and patience...welcome aboard and enjoy the journey...

Pat

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BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

ekko1

Thank you so much for the advice everybody! I just wanted to let you know that after losing about 75% of its leaves new buds have been growing back. I took the tree out of the sun as advised and have been watering correctly now. In a week or so I will give it 1/2 strength fretilizer as i'm sure that will help it out even further. Can someone answer this question though? Is it ok to leave this tree in full sun as long as it doenst dry out or is that still a bad idea??

Thanks again!

Taakeulv19

Shake off all of the dead leaves. It will encourage new shoots to come out. Also Fukien Teas like to be watered but hate wet feet! They are very forgiving in sub-tropical/tropical climates and show when they are unhappy with watering or the climate so don't fret too much, think of it as the tree's warning to you. Direct sun isn't bad unless you don't keep it constantly watered.

Thats my two cents. I have many Fukien Teas and they have always liked those conditions. From the trees that have died it has always been overwatering so thats something to look out for.