Failing Ficus

[Celeste]

I started my thread in the chinese elms...but my tree was quickly identified as a ficus (and then of course I remembered that was indeed the correct name). I'm about as beginner as it gets...can you tell?

The Elm peoples have been incredibly helpful (see original thread here:http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/help-tree-dying-very-quickly.21931/)

In case I'm missing something that might help my ficus....it's been declining at an accelerated rate for the past week...

Ok - heres the down low on my tree:

1. I put it back in the bag (after being out of the bag for about 12 hrs)...but left an opening at the bottom (see pic). A member told me to leave an opening this time?
2. Also the soil is still moist (not wet) from being watered last Monday (January) - but it's been in the bag since Friday. Although I did spray it with the oil/water solution yesterday (spider mites has been deemed a cause due to small webbing found at top)
3. All the little branches at the top...they'll let me bend them a bit - they're not breaking off at all, that's a good sign isn't it? That they're not super dead? Only mostly dead haha?
4. Fertilizer from the Bonsai Man Van hasn't been used in over 4 months - I stuck it in there last Weds in hopes of helping the tree. But after many comments, I removed it. It was probably only in there for 24 hrs.
5. I've been opening all my blinds every morning at 8 am and it's quite bright all throughout the day - even though it's been overcast on most days since last thurs. However, we got a ton of snow...which makes the room brighter because of the reflection from the sun...so that's at least on my side.
6. It's been extremely dry the past week in my home (my toddler and I even got nosebleeds once). I live in Utah.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[sorce]

When scratched is it Brown and dry or Brown and soggy?

If it is Brown and soggy, I would ditch the bag.

Those trees go thru dry seasons.....
They never go through bag seasons!

Amy word on where that soil came from?
That is still the only thing that changed so drastically.

Does the dirt smell like rotten flesh?

Sorce

 

[Cypress187]

I wouldn't trust those Elm-People's anyway , I found out the soil could be saline if you gave it tapwater (the soil looks abit faded to white), perhaps?

 

[Celeste]

Good morning!
Sorry for the late update - I went out of town for almost a week and 1/2. My husband forgot to open the windows for the bonsai for most of the time It has also been bagless while I've been gone.
However it is still green in those areas I mentioned above!

As to the question about the new soil. this is where it came from: http://www.amazon.com/Hoffman-10708...F8&qid=1455900053&sr=8-3&keywords=bonsai+soil . I only put a couple of tablespoons in total probably. I was covering exposed roots due to watering.

update:
1. I re-sprayed for spider mites on Monday
2. Today I checked the popsicle stick...it's dry on the end, so I was going to water the poor thing....I've been putting it in my sink and filling it up to just below the edge of the pot, letting it soak for art 7 min. The bonsai man van told me to do it this way - but now I'm questioning it. How should I go about watering it? and is tap water ok?
3. The People of the Elms have mentioned it might not get enough light...I'm worried about that. I took a picture this morning to show the amount of light it gets...the big window faces east and gets a ton of light in the morning. The little windows next to the bonsai are facing south - the one nearest to the bonsai gets direct light around 3 pm ish. This is the brightest room in my home Is it enough?

 

[Celeste]

When scratched is it Brown and dry or Brown and soggy?

If it is Brown and soggy, I would ditch the bag.

Those trees go thru dry seasons.....
They never go through bag seasons!

Amy word on where that soil came from?
That is still the only thing that changed so drastically.

Does the dirt smell like rotten flesh?

Sorce

Oh almost forgot sorce - my dirt does not smell like the rotting of flesh - phew! haha. But before my trip when the bag was over it, I scratched and it was brown and soggy. If I scratch now (it being out of the bag for over a week) it is dry. Also I answered your soil question in the above post.

 

[Jester217300]

You water the soil from the top down until it drains all the way through.

That is absolutely not enough light. It should be in a window sill, ideally only inches away from the window.

It will probably die regardless of what you do if you continue to keep it inside. When temps are above 45°F at night I'd move it outside until fall.