octoberleaves

I need some help! My trees were doing well however the other day I decided to soak my bonsai plants for a few seconds until the air bubbles stopped comming up. That was about 3 days ago. Last night, I noticed some leaves turning yellow. It was to 3 ehlm trees and a tea tree that got the yellow leaves. I thought maybe they needed water... so I poured a bit on them. Awhile ago I read some articles about over watering trees and I think that is my case. Can someone tell me if I overwatered them? Is there anything I can do? Should I just wait and let them dry out a bit? Are my trees....d...d.d...d.....dead? or in the process of leaving?

Phil

Just give them a few days to see what happens. I live in Chicago also, and it has indeed been terribly hot. Never water on a schedule, but only as needed, but I've been watering mine everyday considering the intense heat. Take one out of its pot with the soil and check out the roots to see if they are overgrown, and or mushy. Also, have they been fertilized on a regular basis?

~Phil~

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dankone

i water my elms everyday sometimes twice a day depending on the size of the tree and pot. i do let them dry out a tad between waterings. you might want to hold off on the fertilizer for a bit til they get back to normal. update us.

octoberleaves

I'm pretty much new to this bonsai thing. I got my first ehlm back in April. When I first got it, all of the leaves turned yellow and fell. I thought that was it for the tree. Then, I began watering a bit more, and all the leaves came back. I was doing well as far as being able to tell when to water the trees. (they seemed to ask for every two days) However, I was thrown off this past Monday that I soaked them in (room tempterature filtered) water for the first time. The soil felt moist for about 3 days so I didn't water them. Last night, I grabbed a spoon and gently pushed some soil aside (tea tree only) to see what it was like more towards the middle. I noticed this small worm like insect so I couldn't help but pull the tree out and change about 75% of the soil. The imediate soil located in between the roots was left alone. There didn't seem to be any other signs of insects. The roots weren't soaked so I watered the tree after changing the soil. I hope when I get home today, there won't be anymore yellow leaves on it. Almost half of them have fallen already in the past 2 days.

As far as using a fertilizer, how often should I use it? Should I simply follow the instructions on the bottle? I have Vigoro all purpose water soluble food. Is that good for my trees? I have elhm, tea, juniper and ficus.

Thanks!

treebeard55

Welcome to bonsai and to the forum, October!

A little more information would help us give good advice. Where are you keeping your trees? Indoors or out? How much direct sun do they get, and at what times of day?

From what you've said about the soil's behavior, I suspect it may be poor quality to start with. I can't be sure without seeing it, so I suggest you contact a member of your local club, someone experienced, and ask if you can get together with them. Let them look at the soil and see how good it is.

(You're not in a club yet? What are you waiting for? It's one of the best ways to learn bonsai!)

You may already know this, but one of the best major weekend shows in the USA is coming up in mid-August, put on by the Midwest Bonsai Society at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe. I strongly urge you to go if you can! Some wonderful trees on exhibit, workshops and demonstrations, and a wide range of vendors. (I can recommend Meehan's and Sara Raynor Pottery with no reservations.)

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Steve Moore
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The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

octoberleaves

Unfortunatly, I'm not so well informed about bonsai's. I'm just learning about all this. I think I should have read more before buying the trees. (I went tree crazy!) The lady at the store made it sound so easy. She said lots of moisture and light! She said to look at hers, they are healthy and they're inside her store. She said I could do the same in my house.

I have the trees inside on my kitchen counter right next to a big north facing window. Ok, so for starters I should take them outside right? How about if I place them outside my window ledge? I have windows. One window is facing east and the other is facing north. Will they "burn" if I leave them outside the east facing window?

Also, about this dormancy period. Should I leave them outside during the winter? Will they take the Chicago winter?

octoberleaves

Ok, I was in a hurry and feeling desperate when I posted my question. I've read some information on this site and I'm slowly learning more about this whole bonsai business. Wow, it's like having kids...or a wife which I have none yet! I'm not used to all the commitment!

treebeard55

Wait until you have all three -- wife, kids, and trees!

Take the trees outside if possible, now. I would start with leaving them in light shade, since they've been indoors. Keep them there for a week. Then move them into more sun in stages over a couple of weeks. As for how much sun -- that depends on the species. Can you give us a list?

If you must keep them indoors: a north window doesn't give enough light, sorry. (And there's the reason for your leaf drop.) They need a south exposure if possible; east is next best. West is better than north. If you can't give them any of those, you need to use artifical lights to supplement the light they get. Those don't have to be expensive; I (and many other people) use ordinary fluorescents to light our tropical trees in the winter.

Don't give them any fertilizer until they start adjusting to new light levels. Then follow the manufacturer's directions. Any good fertilizer is fine; with a "bonsai fertilizer" you're just paying more for someone to stick the word "bonsai" on the label!

Do you have any pictures of them?

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Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.