is my bonsai dead?

mobeus

Last Aug for my birthday I recieved 3 chinese maple bonsai tree. They were doing quite well, i would bring them outside whenever i could, but kept them mostly indoor. Around December my uncle told me to bring them outside for the winter, so i placed them in my window well and pretty much forgot about them. When spring came around i took them out of the window well and have left them outside hoping to get them to bloom. Well spring has past and the bonsai don't look any better. I think they are dead but not sure. Is there anyway to tell for sure? And what did i do wrong? I like having bonsais but after this experience i'm not sure if I should invest any more money in them. I am pretty good with plants and i am currently building a chinese rock garden, but i am not sure if i have what it take to take care of a bonsai?

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TreeBay

There should still be green cambium just under the bark if the branches or trunk are alive. You can start at the top and scratch one of the branches with a fingernail. If it is green, the tree is still okay. If it is dry and brittle and snaps off, it's dead.

Work your way down to the base of the tree.

I don't know where you're located, but bonsai require winter protection in some areas of the world.

Regards,

Matt

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Jose_Alberto

After what Matt said, there's no much to say, but one thing...

Everybody has what it takes to take care of bonsai, but a little of reading, and more interest would help, I mean that everybody can deal with bonsai, but you nead first a little of information.

It is not that hard, but you need to learn some stuff, what I would recommend you besides a book is to read lots of threads here... you can learn lot's of stuff, then also read the FAQ in this site, and you'll see that you will find your mistakes by your own.

I don't know much books, but the guys here certainly know lots...

well, keep trying!!! and don't get discouraged...

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Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

TreeBay

I just wanted to add that the faq is the ***FAQ*** and not the little how to use the forum faq button up top. I need to fix some things here, obviously.

!

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mobeus

Thanks for the advice. I live in chicago, il. If it is alive what should I do to nuriture it back? Should I break off the dry parts of the bonsai? Soak the roots in water for an hour every day? Feed it mircale grow?