Can it be saved?

[Violet]

I completely new to bonsai and told myself I wouldn't get any more trees until I got a lot more tools and information. Then I happened to walk by the clearance section and saw this poor little thing and I couldn't just leave it there! The soil was bone dry so the first thing I did was water it. The label didn't actually have the species on it, but I think it might be a ficus? I have no idea if it can be revived from this point, but IF it can, I'd like to try. Help please?

 

[19Mateo83]

It does look like a ficus, all you can do at this point is keep it moist, not wet. Are the branches dried brittle?

 

[Violet]

The branches seem to still have some bend to them. I trimmed one and could see some sap(?) in the wood. The pot it's in is not well draining at all, and the soil is very dense. I know it's not the right season for repotting, but could it be a good idea in this case?

 

[Shibui]

The leaves still have some green so there is still hope.
Soaking the soil is first aid for dehydrated trees. Not just some water poured over because dry soil often repels water. Sit the pot in a tub for a few hours to make sure the water soaks right into the centre. Soil not draining could just be too dry still or could be the soil itself. Not ideal time but if the soil is real bad it may be less problem to repot than to risk leaving it in poor soil. The risk is yours and so is the choice. On the positive side dehydrated tree is essentially dormant and much more likely to survive out of season repotting, especially if you don't go mad and cut off huge amounts of roots.
Dehydrated trees often drop leaves in order to conserve remaining moisture in the trunk so do not be surprised if it goes bare now.
They also dry out from tips back so depending how dry it got some tips, twigs or branches may die off too.
Most trees have the ability to bud from remaining healthy branches and trunk. Need to give it a few weeks, possibly a couple of months before declaring irretrievable death.

It's almost certainly NOT a ficus. My guess is Fukien Tea though I do not grow those here so can't be sure. Someone who does might provide a more positive ID

Much of bonsai is seasonal and climate specific. Adding a location to your profile alerts other b'nutters to your specific needs and will get you much better responses appropriate to your area.

 

[leatherback]

This is a carmona, and sorry, but this is not the plant you should have taken with you. I hope they let you take it for free.

This will not recover, the main trunk is already dead.

 

[Violet]

I got it for about $5. I'm still going to try to revive it the way Shibui said, and just wait a month or so to see if it recovers. Should I give it any fertilizer at this point?

 

[rockm]

Looks like Fukien Tea (Carmona) to me too. Soak the entire pot in a tub of water for half an hour. Take it out and let it drain. Put it outside in the shade. Monitor the soil for the coming weeks, make sure it stays moist, but not soggy. No fertilizer. Outside warmth and air circulation will help with root and growth recovery. It doesn't look like it's completely dead, but you may lose portions of it. You won't know for a while though. New shoots in three or four weeks, hopefully.

Care guide for the Carmona Bonsai tree (Fukien tea) - Bonsai Empire

Carmona Bonsai Care guidelines Placement The Fukien Tea is traditionally an indoor Bonsai, but it can be kept outside in very warm climates. It requires a lot o...

www.bonsaiempire.com

 

[Violet]

Oops, how did I totally forget that I'd already made a post about this?? Sorry y'all! Thanks for the advice on both of them

 

[Laddo]

I got it for about $5. I'm still going to try to revive it the way Shibui said, and just wait a month or so to see if it recovers. Should I give it any fertilizer at this point?

im a newbie to bonsai but an arborist by trade. you shouldn't ever fertilize a tree in decline. it will make things worse