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Umbrella Bonsai Dying??

16 years ago

I was given an Umbrella Bonsai last July as a housewarming gift. It was doing great until about a month ago. The leaves started to turn yellow and brown and droop. I pruned the leaves that appeared to be dying (hopefully this was the right thing to do) but it didn't help it any. All the leaves are drooping now and it does not look good. It's located away from direct heat and it gets light from an easterly window. Help!!! Thanks!

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Comments (5)

lucy
16 years ago
if you're watering the same amount (or as often as) you did in summer, that is likely the problem, particularly as it's not getting as much sun as it would have done then (not as many hours), and it's probably potted in crappy peaty potting soil that doesn't drain well at all and should be changed to a much coarser, gritty mix (lots of perlite and lots of tiny aquarium gravel). All of these make a difference, so stop watering (let most of the mix dry out between times), find some house plant fungicide and use it according to directions, put the tree in good light for as many hours a day as you can and if and when it recovers, then you should repot, but not yet. Pruning will not help, but may add stress.
carapiercey
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the info! It hasn't been completely dry before I water it. I'll make sure to let it dry before I water it again. I hope it recovers, I absolutely love it. Thanks again!
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lucy
16 years ago
Great, but that being said, letting it dry out completely (now that spring is coming) isn't ideal either. To help counteract it (at least til you repot) keep the pot on a wide tray full of stones and water, but keep the water lower than the pot (so roots won't wick the water and rot more), and it'll really appreciate the humidity.
carapiercey
Original Author
16 years ago
Lucy, I've been keeping my bonsai in the window from sun up to sundown and I have it placed in a tray with stones and water like you suggested. I also treated it with a house plant fungicide (it's called No-Damp). It seems to be doing somewhat better. There are new sprouts starting to come out on the top. Most of the other leaves will soon be ready to fall off except for one at the top which is doing very well. There may be hope for it yet! When and if I get to repot it, should I use the same pot? Thanks for all your help!
lucy
16 years ago
IF it's not rootbound, and you like the pot, keep it. If it needs a larger pot, until you learn more about root pruning, etc. in bonsai, put it in a pot no deeper than it's present rootball, but wider all around (not hugely though), and add some new soil all around with lots of perlite. Then look for a local bonsai club (best place to learn), read this website www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html and go to www.bonsai4me.com for more general info. Good luck!

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