Edited old post - tree not looking too well (page 2)

AmyTville · White Belt Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Wirral

Apologies for those who read this in a different topic, I didn't realize I should have posted continuing from this one Embarassed

I've had my bonsai tree for about 4 or 5 weeks now, and I've noticed that it has grown quite a lot in that time. Is that normal? From what I've read on here and other places suggests to me that trees usually have a dormant period around this time of year?

I was wondering if it will be OK for me to trim the tree during this time of year. Also, would it be necessary to feed the tree either before or after it has been pruned? I read that you shouldn't feed trees for about 6 weeks after they have been re-potted/root pruned and wondered if that stands for normal trimming of branches and leaves etc too.

Stymie

The need of fertilizer is little to none during the short days Amy.
From what I've read about them I wouldn't think that any protection is likely to be necessary either. Your report about strong growth at this time is surprising unless you have been giving it extra light and heat which can only result in straggly, comparatively weak shoots.
Pruning is possible at any time and wayward shoots may be shortened to leave two or three leaves, whichever end one faces out or down to encourage less upward growth. Anything which is thicker than 3/16" should be sealed after pruning with an approved sealant.

AmyTville · White Belt Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Wirral

I haven't given it any extra light, I was actually concerned that it wasn't getting enough with it being so cloudy and dull. It's kept on a window sill in my bedroom of a ground floor flat.

The heat in my bedroom averages around 16 degrees. Could this be too warm for it?

Thanks again for the replies.

Stymie

AmyTville · White Belt Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Wirral

This tree was doing very well up until about 2 weeks ago. Then suddenly it went very droopy and the leaves started browning and falling off. The tree was extremely root bound so I re-potted it a few days ago and trimmed it back. When i took it out of the pot the soil was like thick glue or clay and really hard to remove as it was extremely compressed. This is how it looks now -

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/AmyTville/IMAG0627.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/AmyTville/IMAG0637.jpg

I have bought some superthrive for it, any other suggestions?

Crazeegang

You might be as well pruning back some of the foliage to help the tree.

Regards

Toni

emorrin

When you re potted, how much did you root prune? I am not familiar with this species but different species tolerate different amounts of root pruning. For instance, a juniper should only be root pruned or have about 30% of its roots taken off. Also, some trees recover differently when re potted. Some species don't skip a beat while some shed allot of their leaves due to stress. This is generally the best time of the year to re pot (i.e. spring). Someone on this forum will come along with more knowledge on this species and can offer better advise on this species. With good care, your Ilex should bounce back in a couple of weeks.

TB420

Amy, I bet your tree might be suffering from to much light/heat after the repot. After re-potting tropical/subtropical species it's usually best to give them some shade. I would also get it outside if at all possible.

Tom

AmyTville · White Belt Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Wirral

Thank you for the replies. After re potting I moved the tree into a more shaded place. Touch wood I actually think it is starting to look a little better. it hasn't really dropped any more leaves since re potting, and there are a few tiny leaves starting to grow. Fingers crossed.

steve

If I'm reading this right then the problems actually started before the repot. It could have been<