Unhappy little tree - root rot? Help!

Mostly · White Belt Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 11

Hi,
I have a nice Ligustrum Sinensis, about 6in tall, which I've had for two years. It's been a happy little tree up until now, and has even flowered! - but I gave it a little extra water last weekend, as I was going away, and since then the soil smells musty and the leaves are withering and dropping off. Is there anything I can do to save it? Really don't want it to die.

graham

Hi,is the potting medium still wet...also where are you?

Mostly · White Belt Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 11

Hi! - I'm in the UK. Potting compost is dry, but when I mist the tree there's a definite musty smell coming off the soil. It's in a proper bonsai type tray pot thingummy (sorry, have no idea what they're called!)

graham

have you watered the tree since the weekend?Is it indoors or outside?

Mostly · White Belt Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 11

It's indoors - it lives on a shelf next to a balcony door which is open for most of the day, to give it some air (the label on it said not to put it in full sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves, so it gets light through a thin muslin curtain, which has suite it fine up until now!)
I've watered it daily, just a little bit, and misted its leaves very lightly in case that would help. The soil seems fine, it's not sodden - just smells musty.

graham

If you are a full member you will find information about your tree in A Z section above the banner,look under privet.I do believe your tree should be kept outside,Do you feed it?also when was it last repotted,are there any roots spilling out of the pot?

Mostly · White Belt Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 11

Some pictures of the tree:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/mostlyabsent/?action=view&cur rent=treesad.jpg
(in its current sad state, sorry for blurriness)
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/mostlyabsent/?action=view&cur rent=happytree.jpg
(in its former happy state!)

It's never been repotted and hasn't really been fed as I've got no idea where to get proper food for it, although I did give it a single drop of Miraclegro six months ago. I bought it as an indoor tree as I don't have a garden! - up until now, it hasn't seemed to mind.

Stymie

Although this is not the ideal time to re-pot a tree, I think that it may be the way. First examine the roots for any dead or decaying material. Remove any that you find and put it in some really free- draining planting mix. I agree that it would do much better outside, particularly at this time of the year. A thin muslim screen in between it and the light isn't helpful. Like all plant material, it needs good natural light.
A balanced fertilizer of any make will do if used at half the recommended strength but don't feed it until new growth has resumed.

graham

If you pop along to a garden center,or big diy store,you would be able to buy a small bottle of bonsai feed.,also a small bag of bonsai soil.

Stymie

I've never paid for a special 'bonsai' feed in my life so I can't critique them apart from the higher than normal price. An ordinary potting compost to which 30% by volume of coarse grit is added is a reasonably good planting medium. There'll be plenty of feed in such a mix for a few months.

graham

what do use as you feed stymie?

Mostly · White Belt Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 11

Stymie and Graham - thanks for your help, it's much appreciated. Unfortunately, having the tree outside isn't an option, but I shall try repotting it. The pot it's in now is 5" x 3" - what size pot should I upgrade to? And can anyone suggest somewhere to get similar pots at a reasonable price online?

Stymie

graham

Ericasious...that good for maples?I use a balanced pelleted feed,made in Germany!!

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 153 Location: Devon

Mostly, if you really want to change the pot why not try ebay but i see nothing wrong with the one you've got.

Mostly · White Belt Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 11

Stymie - I'm in London, this is my only tree and I'm very broke, so not having to get another pot is excellent news, especially as - although I really hope not - the tree might die.
I have potting compost. What sort of grit do I