Hi there, I am completely new to anything bonsai and received this Azalea (I think that's what it is) as a gift a few weeks ago. It showed up looking great and I followed the instructions that came with it (generic outdoor bonsai care brochure) and had put it outside with sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. I don't know if the sudden shock caused the leaves yellowing or if it needs some fertilizer...any help would be very appreciated. I have attached pics for reference.
Azalea (I think) with leaves turning yellow and dropping
- Thread starter sarah80
- Start date
Stan Kengai
Omono
That's a gardenia. They are evergreen, and tend to lose last year's leaves in the early spring. The last picture looks nice and healthy. If only the interior leaves are yellowing, it is fine.
Thank you so much! I was wondering if it was a gardenia! Thank you so much for confirming! What a fun surprise.
cbroad
Omono
@sarah80
And with those lance shaped leaves, looks like it could be the variety called 'frost proof.'
You're going to have to come up with an overwintering plan. They can be temperamental with my winters here, so I'm assuming yours will be colder than mine. It may even be advisable to overwinter yours indoors.
And with those lance shaped leaves, looks like it could be the variety called 'frost proof.'
You're going to have to come up with an overwintering plan. They can be temperamental with my winters here, so I'm assuming yours will be colder than mine. It may even be advisable to overwinter yours indoors.
Sorry if this is a stupid question...but I know absolutely nothing about bonsai trees...could I just keep it as an indoor plant?
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
- Messages
- 11,437
- Reaction score
- 23,641
- USDA Zone
- 5b
Your gardenia is in bud, yes you may treat it as an indoor plant. Now until your flowers open, it needs a bright window for the flowers to develop, once open, you can set it anywhere to enjoy for a few days. After it is done blooming, if you have a home or condo with a outdoor patio or balcony, the tree should go outside. Gardenia are not really an indoor houseplant. Though if you are skilled with indoor plants, you can keep it going for a number of years as an indoor plant. It really is best as an indoors for winter, outdoors for summer bonsai, at least in Colorado. When you first set it outside, put it in shade. Then after a week, then move it to a spot with about half a day of shade. Dappled shade would be perfect. They can adapt to full sun, but it takes a few more weeks to get it to adapt, and you will be bringing back indoors for winter, so half shade is probably best.
Most bonsai are outdoor trees, even the ones some "market" as indoor trees.
Most bonsai are outdoor trees, even the ones some "market" as indoor trees.
That's what I thought, but was too chicken I might be wrong, lol.
I love gardenia but they can be fickle, absolutely do not let it get completely dry but dont3 overwater either.
Not sure how attached you are to the idea of a bonsai but if this was mine, once its done blooming I'd put it in a regular pot in potting soil.
Not sure how attached you are to the idea of a bonsai but if this was mine, once its done blooming I'd put it in a regular pot in potting soil.
j evans
Omono
Welcome!
