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MartinDT
White Belt
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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Hello everyone! I'm Martin, and I'm fairly new to nurturing and growing a bonsai.
My friend gave me his Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) because he was under the intention it is dying. I don't know if it is dying, but if it is, how can I prevent this?
A little background info:
The bonsai is 5 years old. He got it around 2 months ago. It looked really good and healthy. The leaflet he got with the bonsai instructed him to water the plant daily, and that it needs morning sun.
I'm from South Africa, Johannesburg to be more precise. Currently it is winter, temperatures varying from 0 - 22 degrees Celsius daily. In summer, it's around 21 - 33 degrees Celsius.
I have no idea why it is dying (if it is dying of course), second, if it is dying, is this because of him smoking in his house? Also, he uses a bottle with a spraying nozzle to wet it. He admitted that he, by accident, once sprayed kitchen cleaner on the bonsai, noticing it too late.
Below is a few pictures I took, just so that you can see what I'm talking about.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2043/imag0100fm7.jpg
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/5656/imag0101fc6.jpg
Any help would be greatly appreciated. If there is some info I forgot, inform me and I will get back as soon as possible!
Kind regards,
Martin |
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steve
Black Belt
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 3256
Location: SW Washington,USA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:02 am Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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http://www.saba.org.za/acacia.htm
Here's a good article. Sounds like your tree might be going through a normal phase. also sounds like it should be kept outside and not in the house. Hope this helps and keep us informed. |
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kamivy
Orange Belt
Joined: 16 Jan 2007
Posts: 278
Location: Queensland, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:59 am Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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| It has the makings of a beaut little bonsai if it shoots again - I like the trunk. Steve's reference article is good and as steve said a nice spot outside will be best for it. |
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Carol
Brown Belt
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 1681
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:16 am Post subject: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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Hello, Martin, and welcome to BH.
I'm wondering if the previous owner watered the soil of your tree adequately, or if he only watered the foliage with the spray bottle you mentioned? The article Steve found for you does say the tree needs lots of water, and even though it's winter now, one would think it would need more than just a spray. What is the soil like? Do you think it may have dried out at some point?
Just a thought!
Cheers
Carol |
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MartinDT
White Belt
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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Thanks for the replies everyone! It's greatly appreciated!
@ Steve
I found that exact same weblink you posted. I wanted a second opinion just to be sure 
@ Carol
He said he used to submerge the bonsai in water at a little more than the pot height to soak the soil , as well as spray the leaves and the branches. When I got it, the soil was damp. I don't think the soil have dried out.
I have read several articles where the writers commented on bonsai owners over watering their trees, which resulted in death. I was a little confused, because, since I got it (have it for about 2 weeks now) I used the same method as he did.
The main problem I think is the amount of sunlight it gets. It only gets about 3 hours of morning sunlight. I will try to get it outside, out of reach of 3 Jack Russell Terriers
Hopefully it will get better.
Once again, thank you for the feedback!
Regards,
Martin |
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MartinDT
White Belt
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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Hello everyone! Well, it has been a good 3 months since I last visited this forum. I'm glad to say that my Acacia is starting to grow again 
I will post pictures of it first thing when I'm at home!
Regards,
Martin |
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Surrey John
Brown Belt
Joined: 02 Jul 2006
Posts: 1617
Location: Surrey, UK
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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| That's good news Martin! looking forward to seeing the resurrected bonsai in its new growth. SJ. |
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Carol
Brown Belt
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 1681
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:47 am Post subject: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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Excellent, Martin. Look forward to seeing the pictures. It's always good to hear a tree has come back to life after a worrisome episode.
Cheers
Carol |
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Dick
Black Belt
Joined: 21 Aug 2004
Posts: 9709
Location: Western New York State, USA - Zone 4b
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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Hi Martin,
Welcome to the forum. I see that you have people responding to your questions. I hope that you will come back and join us often. |
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MartinDT
White Belt
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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Stymie
Black Belt
Joined: 18 Aug 2004
Posts: 10991
Location: S.Yorks.UK Small but beautifully formed.
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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| The buds seem to be swelling. Is it coming up for spring time in SA? I thought that it might be a deciduous tree. |
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graham
Orange Belt
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 347
Location: west yorkshire
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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| Lovely taper on the tree Martin,branch structure looks good to... |
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MartinDT
White Belt
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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Yeah, Spring time in about a month I'm so excited! I thought it was going to die, hehe
And thanks graham |
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Dick
Black Belt
Joined: 21 Aug 2004
Posts: 9709
Location: Western New York State, USA - Zone 4b
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:38 am Post subject: Re: Need help with a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Berkei) |
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| Swelling buds are like the magic of bonsai. After so many month of being leafless and not knowing if the tree is dormant or dead, one day the bud swell up and renew the foliage in a few | |
