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I think I killed my tree.
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Author:  TreeHugger [ 17 Aug 2011, 09:31 ]
Post subject:  I think I killed my tree.
Well I bought a chinese elm bonsai tree at Gateshead Flower show 3-4 weeks ago. I watered it when the soil felt dry and kept it on the window sill during the day on my bookcase in my room in the night. The problem I have had is its started losing leaves, they aren't turning yellow just going dry and curling a bit. Its been like this for a while my mam thought it might have been in too much sunlight so its currently living on my book case away from the window. I've been misting it and watering it and before it was losing its leaves it was still growing a few but its stopped that now. Is it dead? Should I throw it out? I thought it may have been losing its leaves for winter but shouldn't it be turning yellow? Please help. This was my first bonsai and after this I don't think I'll be getting another.

:sad.:
Author:  daryl [ 17 Aug 2011, 11:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
Oh dear! That's not a good start is it? Don't throw it out as there are lots of things you can do to save it.

First, it shouldn't be indoors! Bonsai trees are the same as any other trees the need sunlight, fresh air and water to stay healthy and grow. I suspect that your tree has been starved of all three of these and is therefore struggling to stay alive.
Sunlight you can provide by finding it a nice place outside and leave it there
Fresh air will also be available outside
Water you have to provide for it daily. It has probably become very dry inside the rootball and when you water it the water is not fully penetrating the soil. Get a big bowl of water and put the whole pot in it so that the water level is above the top of the soil. You might need to hold it down to start with while the water starts to push the air out. You will see bubbles coming from the soil surface. Leave the pot in the water until the bubbles have completely stopped then take it out and let it drain.

Once you have given it a good soaking like this you can then water from the top daily to keep it moist - don't wait for it to be completely dry. Spraying the tree with water a couple of times a day will also help it to feel better.

This is all basic advice to get your tree back into good health. If you have a good read around on this site you will learn lots of other useful things but for now the trees health is most important.

If you can get a picture on here too that would help us to see what state it is in and what else to advise you

Don't give up on it - just keep asking questions.
Author:  Paul B [Swindon] [ 17 Aug 2011, 11:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
I agree with everything Daryl has said, the leaves have probably gone yellow due to lack of GOOD light.

Paul
Author:  TreeHugger [ 18 Aug 2011, 18:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
Well I'm un sure wether its over watered or under watered or something else. And its always windy out side so it'll blow over if I put i somewhere like on my guineapigs hutch if I put it on ground level though the dog might attempt to eat it. From the research that I have made I think it may be over watered some how when I thought it was more likely under watered because the tree has become loose and when I touch its trunk it wobbles. I was planning on buying a humidity tray tomorrow but I won't if I have to leave it outside, I know this sounds silly but I've become very attachted to arthur ( That is my tree's name because he alf a tree xD) and if he dies then I really will miss having to look after him.

Image

Image

Sorry if the photo's aren't very good :/
All my family said I was too young to look after a bonsai and that they're too hard to look after I wanted to prove them wrong I dreamed that I'd have arthur for years to come and that he's come through life with me. Like if i went to uni he could come and more but I think he'll be long dead by then. I will have no need for this site soon
Author:  Tom [ 18 Aug 2011, 19:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
Far more trees die from being underwatered than being over watered, but can we get a picture directly of the soil.

Give it a good water, then place the whole tree in a plastic bag and seal it. This is a great way to bring back a tree that is son its last legs.
Author:  NickB [ 18 Aug 2011, 20:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
It doesnt want to be in a wind tunnel, but some breeze is good for any tree.

Chinese Elms are pretty tough little trees and can easily survive (and thrive) outside for most of the year. They only need protection from frosts.

Who said you too young to look after a Bonsai?

Well, its time to prove them wrong. Bonsai can survive for ages as long as they are watered and fed regularly, so keeping it alive shouldnt be too much of a problem.
The knowledge and experience required to become a good bonsai artist can take years of trial and error.
What better time to start than when you are young?
Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 18 Aug 2011, 22:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
Looks pretty crispy right now - so it definitely dried out. You can pull all those leaves off they serve no purpose any more. With a bit of luck and if you follow the advice given it will grow new leaves.
Light is the primary source of energy for plants...
FWIW - I started bonsai when I was 13.
Author:  TreeHugger [ 19 Aug 2011, 08:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
I'm 13 next month. But I wanted a bonsai for years my mam said I wasn't allowed one but this year at the flower show I had my own money and I went off and bought one. The man gave me losts of advice and I followed it closely but now I think I killed arthur :/
My mam had one once and it died after a week or two she said I'd never manage it because they need too much work I thought it was pretty easy but maybe I'm wrong. Should I still get it a humidity tray? Also I can put it outside if I sit with it. Or when the dog goes for a walk or does it have to be all day?
Author:  TreeHugger [ 19 Aug 2011, 08:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
The soil :
Image
Image

I've just noticed when I touched some of the roots on the surface they crumbled that means its dead right? and there's no saving him. Did you say I have to pull the leaves off?
Author:  John M [ 19 Aug 2011, 11:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I killed my tree.
Treehugger - before you declare your tree finally dead, have you done the scratch test? Get a sharp knife (e.g. a Stanley), and carefully scrape a small area of bark off the trunk (about the size of a very small fingernail). Probably in your case a couple of inches up from the soil would be the best place to do it. Once you have scraped the bark away down to the tree trunk wood underneath, examine what you see there. If there is any sign of green colour, the tree can almost certainly be saved 'cos if there's green it isn't dead yet. If the wood appears brown(ish) and dry(ish) then it's dead and you have to accept that once it's dead it's dead. Do what we all do - learn from it and start again with another tree.

I'm suggesting you do it on the trunk, not on a branch, because it is possible to have a dead branch but still have a live tree. If the trunk itself is dead, then that's final.

Good luck! J.
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