Bonsai loosing leaves

Buddy Time Around The World

I like plants · 01-02-2010, 08:31 AM

Since a few months, my bonzai is constantly loosing leaves. What is causing this? My bonsai is a sheflera aboricora.

Dr. Matt · 01-06-2010, 01:03 PM

Hmmm...I like plants too.

Greth · 01-07-2010, 01:56 AM

What situation is it in? What kinda soil? I don't grow Schefflera myself, but maybe I can find some advice.
And if you can post a pic that would be helpful.

I like plants · 01-08-2010, 01:29 PM

The bonsai is in a bonsai pot with normal soil. I bought it like that and left it like that. Unfortunetly, I have difficulties puting pictures on the forum. But, now the leaves have black spots. I am maybe assuming it needs more lite since it's not in a sunny spot. The rest of the tree is fine the tronk is in it's normal color and the roots are not roting or have a fungus.

When I bought it, I asked the person if I needed to change the soil since it wasn't drainig in 48 hours. She said no because it isn't really an actual bonsai since it's a schefflera. They just puted it in bonsai form.

Greth · 01-08-2010, 04:36 PM

Well, black spot is a fungal disease, so ask for treatments for it. Should even be something in your supermarket which will do the trick.
Yes it will need sunlight, very few bonsai like being indoors.
But its tropical, wouldn't suggest putting it outside in a Canada winter! Get it near a window, or even under growlights if you have to.
Bonsai simply means tree in a pot, schefflera are quite often used this way, because they are tough.
I would lift it and have a peek at the roots, it will need a change of mix probably yearly. It will look a bit potbound, but if it seems really really cramped it might need to have roots trimmed. Give it a water with some liquid fertilizer at the recommended rate, because bonsai pots are so small the trees need the extra nutrition.
Posting a pic here is a skill to be learned. Use whatever software you have to reduce the photo to a minimal size, then use the Buddysizer (Little blue and green icon in your message box) to bring it down to a Gardenbuddy acceptable size. You will have to click on the Buddysizer result and save again to keep the size.
This link may help you from there.
TUTORIAL - Uploading Photos Inline

I like plants · 01-08-2010, 07:44 PM

Thanks alot for the help. I will try to post pictures of the bonsai.

Hartley Botanic · 02-24-2010, 06:57 AM

Hi there
How much are you watering it? I find that mine are very sensitive to the amount of water they get, their first symptom is normally leaf loss.
I find it very bad to water to a routine, if the compost does not lose some of its moisture content between waterings, it means it is permanently wet, leading to problems associated with overwatering.

Instead, check your plant routinely (at least on a daily basis), so their water requirements can be observed and they can then be watered when they actually require it. The surface of nearly all bonsai composts change colour and appearance when it starts to dry out. With careful observation, it is always possible to tell whether or not the compost surface is dry or not. This can take anything from 12 hours to a week or longer after watering, depending on a variety of factors such as the surrounding ambient temperature, plant vigour, pot size and whether it has rained or not.

Hope this helps!

I like plants · 03-11-2010, 01:13 PM

Thanks. Sadly, the bonsai died

...

01-02-2010, 08:31 AM	#1
I like plants Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Quebec Country: Canada Plant Zone: 6	Bonsai loosing leaves Since a few months, my bonzai is constantly loosing leaves. What is causing this? My bonsai is a sheflera aboricora.

03-11-2010, 01:13 PM	#8
I like plants Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Quebec Country: Canada Plant Zone: 6	Thanks. Sadly, the bonsai died...

01-06-2010, 01:03 PM	#2
Dr. Matt Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: RI Country: USA Plant Zone: 6	Hmmm...I like plants too.

01-07-2010, 01:56 AM	#3
Greth Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Australia Country: Australia Plant Zone: semi arid Blog Entries: 34	What situation is it in? What kinda soil? I don't grow Schefflera myself, but maybe I can find some advice. And if you can post a pic that would be helpful.

01-08-2010, 01:29 PM	#4
I like plants Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Quebec Country: Canada Plant Zone: 6	The bonsai is in a bonsai pot with normal soil. I bought it like that and left it like that. Unfortunetly, I have difficulties puting pictures on the forum. But, now the leaves have black spots. I am maybe assuming it needs more lite since it's not in a sunny spot. The rest of the tree is fine the tronk is in it's normal color and the roots are not roting or have a fungus. When I bought it, I asked the person if I needed to change the soil since it wasn't drainig in 48 hours. She said no because it isn't really an actual bonsai since it's a schefflera. They just puted it in bonsai form.

01-08-2010, 04:36 PM	#5
Greth Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Australia Country: Australia Plant Zone: semi arid Blog Entries: 34	Well, black spot is a fungal disease, so ask for treatments for it. Should even be something in your supermarket which will do the trick. Yes it will need sunlight, very few bonsai like being indoors. But its tropical, wouldn't suggest putting it outside in a Canada winter! Get it near a window, or even under growlights if you have to. Bonsai simply means tree in a pot, schefflera are quite often used this way, because they are tough. I would lift it and have a peek at the roots, it will need a change of mix probably yearly. It will look a bit potbound, but if it seems really really cramped it might need to have roots trimmed. Give it a water with some liquid fertilizer at the recommended rate, because bonsai pots are so small the trees need the extra nutrition. Posting a pic here is a skill to be learned. Use whatever software you have to reduce the photo to a minimal size, then use the Buddysizer (Little blue and green icon in your message box) to bring it down to a Gardenbuddy acceptable size. You will have to click on the Buddysizer result and save again to keep the size. This link may help you from there. TUTORIAL - Uploading Photos Inline

01-08-2010, 07:44 PM	#6
I like plants Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Quebec Country: Canada Plant Zone: 6	Thanks alot for the help. I will try to post pictures of the bonsai.

02-24-2010, 06:57 AM	#7
Hartley Botanic Gardenbuddy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: England Country: England	Hi there How much are you watering it? I find that mine are very sensitive to the amount of water they get, their first symptom is normally leaf loss. I find it very bad to water to a routine, if the compost does not lose some of its moisture content between waterings, it means it is permanently wet, leading to problems associated with overwatering. Instead, check your plant routinely (at least on a daily basis), so their water requirements can be observed and they can then be watered when they actually require it. The surface of nearly all bonsai composts change colour and appearance when it starts to dry out. With careful observation, it is always possible to tell whether or not the compost surface is dry or not. This can take anything from 12 hours to a week or longer after watering, depending on a variety of factors such as the surrounding ambient temperature, plant vigour, pot size and whether it has rained or not. Hope this helps!