a very unhappy tree

margarita · White Belt Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 2

I got a ligustrus bonsai 10 days ago and I already managed to damage it!

I do try to water it as advised, I fed it once with some kind of vitamin supplement they gave me at the shop but furthermore I have no idea what the soil is nor can I check the roots...I was never very good with plants but I do want to make it work with this one...

My tree is placed on the bench in the livingroom which is very sunny all day long (Im living in Greece) so I guess it has adequate ligh.

Well, the problem is that 3-4 days ago I noticed that some leaves were turning yellow and falling, while most of the remaining have brown spots and holes on them. Yesterday I saw a thin layer of some kind of powdery stuff on the leaves as well.

The tree doesnt look happy at all, the leaves are droopy and its color isnt as bright as it was 10 days ago.

thanks in advance

GioGio · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 11:57 am Post subject: Re: a very unhappy tree

Hi Margarita, if I was you I would put the plant outside straight away. Greece is well hot enough for Ligustrums to live outside, in fact the plant will thank you for it.
With regards to the yellowing of the leaves, is could be a problem with the light, putting the plant outside in a partial shade should solve this problem.
With regards to the brown spots and the powdery residue, I don't want to be a pessimist and attribute it to fungi just yet. The holes and brown spots can be caused by water: if spraying the plant in direct sunlight, the water drops act as a magnifying lens increasing the potency of sunlight thus burning the leaves. The white powder could just be the calcium residue left by water.
Hope this helps

Giogio

margarita · White Belt Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 2

thanks

I ll let you know how its going

jimothy · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: a very unhappy tree

I'd be inclined to give it a little shade when placed outside, at least until it recovers fully. I was in Crete about a month ago, and the sun was already very strong - a tree that's not very well will not enjoy that kind of sun all day, so try to place it somewhere it gets dappled shade (like behind a trellis, or under a leafy branch).

Dick · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: a very unhappy tree

Lingustrum have dense roots and need a lot of water. If outdoors, they will probably need watering every day. In the full sun most of the day, they may need it twice a day, provided that the soil drains very well.