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Is my Bonsai dying?

Helen ClayHelen Clay Posts: 46
in Problem solving

The leaves at the top of my Bonsai just wilted & dropped off but the leaves at the bottom are doing ok?

I’ve gone in to this blind & this is the first plant I’ve gotten (This was given to me established, I've tried growing other plants from seed) so I really don’t know what I’ve done wrong…

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Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Any chance you could post a photo of the tree as that would make it easier to diagnose any problems.
  • hatty123hatty123 Posts: 125
    Where do you keep it and what conditions i.e. heat, light, moisture?
  • Helen ClayHelen Clay Posts: 46
    Living room, direct sunlight, S facing room, can get stuffy easer (has been the past month), moisture - I'm not sure. I have tried to keep water in the little dish as I have read somewhere but I could have misunderstood....
  • hatty123hatty123 Posts: 125
    Bonsai are generally outdoor plants and keeping it as a houseplant won't do it any good. They are basically dwarf versions of the real plant, but root and leaf training has restricted them to make them miniature versions. Presuming you've got a tree? If so it should definitely be outdoors, somewhere sheltered with some sun/shade but look up the variety you have to see what conditions they normally grow in. Don't put it straight outside though, the shock of a sudden change could do a lot of harm. So start putting it out during the day and gradually aclimatise it. Keep the soil moist - you need to check it at least every day - as the small amount of soil will dry out very quickly.
    There's a lot of bonsai books and advice available on the internet so really recommend you get reading! It can be very different to other areas of gardening and it will need root trimming and pruning at some point.
  • Helen ClayHelen Clay Posts: 46
    Mandarin orange & the tag said Indoor/Outdoor.

    I'm sorry, root trimming?!
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    It's such a shame that people gift bonsai as they are such specialist plants. Always always ending in failure as they either get the wrong care or the person receiving the gift is not prepared to put the effort needed. 

    This brilliant specialist nursery has a comprehensive range of video tutorials that will give lots of info on care: https://www.herons.co.uk/Video-Tutorials/ 

    good luck!
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • hatty123hatty123 Posts: 125
    @Helen Clay yes root trimming 😂 it's a long time since I had bonsai but I think it's once a year, you need to trim the roots. It restricts the growth otherwise you've just got a tree that's in a very small amount of soil with no where to go. So definitely read up on how to care for it otherwise, as amancalledgeorge says, it'll end in failure.
  • Helen ClayHelen Clay Posts: 46
    Ceres Here: 
  • Helen ClayHelen Clay Posts: 46
    amancalledgeorge It was thought out gift with us both knowing it was a lot of work however we didn't realise it needed *THIS* much work. The effort is there just not the knowledge, theres the problem :smile:

    I will look at that video :smile:
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    That doesn't look good. Bonsai are outdoor plants and should not be left to roast on a sunny windowsill in a stuffy room. However as yours is a mandarin orange, it should probably live indoors in the colder months. Don't water it by leaving a little bit of water in the saucer.....if it is constantly in a puddle the roots will rot. Soak the pot until it has taken up as much water as it can then put it back on a dry saucer. Many bonsai have a lovely topping of moss on the soil and that helps to keep things moist as well as enhancing the overall look......the idea is to have something that looks totally natural but in minature so the moss is a substitute for the forest floor or a grassy field. Get a good book on the subject and that will guide you through the intricacies of bonsai care, and good luck with what could prove to be a rewarding and long lasting hobby.
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