Pom dropping leaves

TimmyDee

My pom (my first bonsai) has been dropping leaves for the past two weeks, and I'm at a loss for what to do. It did this a few months ago, and in response I gave it a couple feedings (usually two weeks apart) of very week Miracle Grow solution. Recently, it started dropping leaves again.

The tree is 15 years old, and receives about 2 hours of sunlight though my window in the morning (usually 9-11). After that, my room is pretty bright, but it doesn't have direct light. It was a gift from my girlfriend back in May. Over the summer I had it outside one afternoon for some good sun, and some of the leaves got sunburnt and dropped. After that, it was quite vigorous. I'm afraid I may have over watered it in the week or so preceding the dropping leaves, but I'm not sure. They yellow and then drop. Is this deciduousness natural? Should I be concerned?

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tree bender

Try putting it under a grow light for a few hours a day. Sounds to me like it needs more direct light. and maybe get a humidity tray.. easy on the water too.

Jay

Timmy, greetings. Perhaps you can help us help you. Is there a picture available? Can you give us your location, preferalbe in the user CP but if not in your reply. It will help those who are knowledgeable about your growing conditions to give you a better answer. Also, can you be a little more specific on Pom tree?

Jat

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FlyBri

Gday Timmy, and welcome to bonsaiTALK!

Jay is right - the more info we have regarding the location of the tree (and its owner), the better chance we have of offering some help. Even knowing which hemisphere you are in would be of great assistance. Please fill out your Profile to include location and Zone details.

I'm guessing that you're talking about a Pomegranate (Punica granatum), and from your post it would seem that Summer has passed where you are. Pomegranates are sometimes described as 'semi-deciduous', meaning that they will drop some or all of their leaves depending on the climate. Here in what approximates Zone 9-10, my Poms lose all of their leaves in Autumn, after turning a lovely shade of amber. Unless your tree is losing green leaves, I wouldn't be too worried.

Thanks and good luck.

FlyBri.

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TimmyDee

Thanks for all the replies! I'm living in Berkeley, CA, so we're heading into winter (shorter days, etc.). I actually just got back from a conference, so I have to pick the bonsai up from a friend who was taking care of it (she's excellent with plants, so there's no worries there). When I get it back, I'll post some pics.

As for the leaves that it dropped, they had all yellowed before they dropped.

TimmyDee

Here's some photos of the pomegranate. The leaves are yellowing from the base out. Not many left, though! I pulled the shade to get a clearer picture, otherwise it's open.

Does a growlight sound like my best bet? It's been pretty cloudy lately.

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TimmyDee

So my pom has dropped all but 10 of its leaves (it's holding on to a few more, but they're rather yellowed). I'm still watering it when it looks to dry, or the remaining leaves are wilting a bit, so I think it's still hanging in there. I have a few questions before I proceed.

Should I put a grow lamp on it ASAP or wait for the winter run its course before giving it more light? Should I be trying to mimic the seasons thus?

Second, I had planned on pruning it this winter. Should I continue with those plans? All of the remaining leaves are three or four buds out from the base of the branch.

Thanks for all your help!

tree bender

What ever you decide to do, I would add some pebbles/gravel to your plate and then add some water.. Keep the humidity level as high as possible.

BrianBay9

TD,

As Flybri says, poms will typically lose most or all of their leaves in autumn. I used to live in the San Fran Bay area, and mine were deciduous there. I kept them outdoors at all times. I wouldn't worry about the leaves turning yellow and dropping (turning brown, crispy, then dropping is another story), but I would try to find a way to let it live outside. It will do fine outdoors in Berkeley.

Brian

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