Help Bonsai seems to be dying

JennL · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:32 pm Post subject: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

Please help. I just recently bought a conifer type bonsai about 3 months. Now the leaves are brown and falling off. Some new growth underneath. I fed it with a bottle of fertilizer bought with it and have it in a window outside. I water it every other day as it is hot here now. Is it lost?

Stymie

JennL Hi.
Could you read the sticky at the top of this forum and perhaps help us a little more. Can you say what kind of conifer, where you live and explain where it is more fully. In a window outside is a touch ambiguous. It should probably be outside without the window and not in midday sun. I would leave off the feeding until it has recovered somewhat. It is perhaps trying to adjust to new surroundings. Are you sure that the water is getting to all of the root-ball? If there are rocks glued to the surface, they should be removed as they interfere with efficient watering. The planting medium should be just moist at all times so adjust your routine to achieve this. The new growth sounds promising. Come back.

JennL · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

Thanks so much for your reply. But unfortunately I think it no longer lives. I am going to get a new one. I am so disappointed. I put it outside on a hot summer day and I think that's what did it. I am now going to the nursery hopefully I can locate a nice healthy one.

Stymie

Come back and get genned up on your new one right away JennL. We can't have a repeat performance can we?
When you said that you fed it with a bottle of fertilizer, I hope that you didn't mean a full bottle. Don't feed your new one until we've settled it in fully. Looking for your next post and write down the variety that you get.

Dick · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 2:10 am Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

And I might also add that it would be better for us to tailor the information to you if we know the name of the type of tree you are going to have. It makes a difference that will only benefit you and the tree. Wink

JennL · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

I have not been able to find a tree locally. Any idea where I might get one? The other tree I had I bought at a roadside vendor and can't seem to find his address or phone number. I am so disappointed and want to start over. I never knew the name of the tree I had. Thanks. I am definitely going to talk to you guys about the new one.

Stymie · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

I'll let Dick advise you about suppliers on your side of the Atlantic.
Speak to you later JennL.

steve · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

What part of washington are you in? I'm sure we can find one close to you. (Depending on your definition of close)

JennL · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

Thank you so much. I will get a hold of you when I get a new tree.
I am in Gig Harbor. Near Tacoma.

steve

There is Bonsai NW in Seattle and they have very reasonable prices. Watch this space for the address sometime tonight. There is also the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection for inspiration just down the road.

steve

Ok here's the address:

Bonsai Northwest
5021 South 144th Street
Seattle, WA 98168
206/242-8244
206/244-2301 FAX
info@BonsaiNW.com

Sorry I didn't get it on here last night today's the first day of school and last night got a little crazy. Rolling Eyes

Dick · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

They also have a website at:

http://www.bonsainw.com/index.php

JennL · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:49 am Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

I checked out the site, and thank you so much for your efforts. Here is
what I want and I am afraid to spend to much and have it die again. I want a indoor bonsai ( i do not have a green house and I live here in the ever-rain state) Please recommend a type. I went to a nursery they had some really raw ones in plastic pots. But I do not know what to do. I need to pick up a few books and read up. There is a local bonsai garden in Gorst. I will go there and check there stuff. Any other suggestions?

steve · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:27 am Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

I live in the same climate (I'm in SW Washington). This is a great area for bonsai and the rain is a good thing and won't hurt them. If that's all you're worried about then by all means stop because it just means we water less than most of the world.

Dick · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:10 am Post subject: Re: Help Bonsai seems to be dying

Dear Jenn,

If you are looking for an easy care indoor bonsai, I would recommend a schefflera arbicola. They are relatively inexpensive, even in large sizes and can thrive in an indoor invironment.

A second choice which I very much like is a fukien tea (carmona microphylla). A third variety is a ficus benjamina, or a ficus banyan, or almost any variety of ficus. They are a little more tricky to some extent, but can also be easily grown indoors.

There are many mail order bonsai dealers. Most a pretty reputable. Besides Bonsai Northwest, I also like Brussel's Bonsai, New England Bonsai