Hi everyone. . . Another Newbie with another mystery tree.

KOM · White Belt Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Glasgow

A big hello to everyone!!! Very Happy

I'm a complete novice at this, and to be honest have never been able to keep anything alive for long.
So when my family found out, that, for the past few weeks, i have been reading everything i can on bonsai. They decided to buy me a mallsai. ( I think for a laugh!! Confused

)
But It didn't come with a species tag.
I had first thought it was an outdoor species, but after two days/nights outside, in Glasgow, it was looking worse for wear. With the tips of the leaves blackened.
Can someone please help identify this, and do you think I've killed it, since it's been around 0C these two days.
Thanks,

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/KOM140/P3270007.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/KOM140/P3260018.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/KOM140/P3270006.jpg

emorrin

The close up picture of the leaves is a bit blurry but this looks like a Ficus to me. I would bring it in right away if you already have not done so. Ficus are tropical trees and do not like the cold. If it does loose its leaves and is healthy, they will grow back again in a few weeks.

Your bonsai can still be alive but could probably loose some if not all its leaves, assuming it is a Ficus. Do not fertilize it at this time as this can do more harm than good. Can you take a better closeup picture of the leaves? That will aid in positively identifying it.

In the meantime, take a look at these links:

http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/ficus.html

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

canuma

Looks a little like Sageretia theezans ( Sagertia ) to me.
Which should be kept indoors, In full sun , or slight shade.
Min' temperature in summer 18c winter 12c.
watch out for scorching if kept in full sun.
Never let the soil dry out , and keep humidity high
Feed every 2 weeks in the summer.

Carol

I also thought it was a ficus from the first picture, but after looking at the 2nd and 3rd, I wasn't so sure.

KOM - Can you cut off a leaf? If it's a ficus (fig) it will ooze a sticky white sap (latex).

And welcome to Bonsai Help - ask any questions you might have - people here will help you all they can.

Cheers
Carol

KOM · White Belt Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Glasgow

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Smile

Carol, I did what you suggested, but no white sap was produced.
I take it, that's the ficus ruled out?
Canuma, you could be right, I Googled, for photo's and they do look very similar, but it also looks like a Ligustrum Sinensis!!
I'm confused!!

keithmart

Hi

I thought it might be a Ligustrum, but if it was I would have thought that the leaves were unlikely to blacken like that. to me that is what a fig would do.

Anyway it did not like being out in the cold so keep it indoors in a cool well lit room and keep the soil moist for now, and it should with luck come good.

When the weather is consistantly above 10C (50F) then try it outside again.

Stymie

The leaf shape and opposing leaves are very reminiscent of Sageretia. The leaf veins branching out from a central one are usually quite evident and may be more noticeable on an in focus close-up photograph. Hint, hint. Is the bark peeling anywhere because that is a helpful characteristic. They also sometimes exhibit thorns.

KOM · White Belt Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Glasgow

Thanks for the advice keithmart.
Here's some more photo's Stymie. The leaves do have veins coming off the main central one. Do Sageretia's have toothed leaves? And there's no peeling of the bark, does that help?
I thought it looked like a Ligustrum, but not sure about the blackening of the leaves. Could that be due to tree being reared indoors, and then shocked when I put it outdoors?

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/KOM140/P3270004.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk285/KOM140/P327000121.jpg

simon84

Hi KOM, i believe that tree is Ligustrum, I had the same problem with my leaves and mine was also near a radiator. I unfortunately lost mine, also are there any leaves that are curled up with little grub like things in them. Mine also had these when it died.

The leaves may just be a sign that theres not enough humidity around the tree and setting it on some wet gravel might help.

KOM · White Belt Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Glasgow

Hi,
I think I'll go for the Ligustrum,
Do you think I've killed it yet, ( the leaves are dying as we speak)?
It doesn't have any leaf grubs. And I've put it into an unheated propagator, in an attempt to increase the humidity. Is this a good idea?

johnbaz