Ficus (i think) withering ?

[Dongolo]

Hello,
I'm having some doubts about my plant survivability chances...
It would seem that the branches are withering, the tree is losing a lot of leaves (but it was my understanding was that this could happen), and I have no idea what's the cause.

Some info:
- Central europe
- indoor, in front of very large window
- temperature between 17-20 C
- unsure about the tree species (I think it is a ficus something) and age.


The tree is receiving water around weekly, we check that the terrain is wet but not excessively.


Could someone help me understand what could be happening?
Thank you, attached some pictures (sorry for my camera)

 

[Just Rosie]

Could you post a couple more pictures that show the tree in its entirety? (soil, pot, etc.) The soil looks like it's probably not well suited for a bonsai, but hard to tell from pics. Often with indoor bonsai, overwatering can be an issue, especially if the soil is not well-draining. Bonsai don't grow well in typical soil, they do better in a media that retains some moisture but drains well. Only water your tree when it's somewhat moist. You shouldn't let the soil dry out completely, but if it stays constantly wet, the roots will rot, and the tree will eventually die. There are lots of other things it could be, as I'm sure others more experienced than me can point out, but that is the first thing that comes to mind!

 

[_#1_]

17-20c is plenty warm for a ficus, which is what you have.

I have mine in front of large window too. But I water mines every 2-3 days/ twice a week. When mine was in potting mix like yours is now, I watered it around every 3rd day. Especially if I had consecutive sunny and warmer days.

You're probably not giving enough water. When you water, give it a bunch until water drains out bottom like a faucet. Then water again. I would not let soil dry out completely between watering. Ficus like moist soil.

Edit: give the trunk a bit of a squeeze. If firm, its ok. If soft, something wrong.

 

[Dongolo]

First of all, thank you for your help,
here are attached more pictures;

The trunk is firm;

I haven't fully understood when to water down: how do I balance "water because the soil is still a bit wet" vs "don't water too much" ?
I understand it is not probably a science, but are there some aspects that I could check ?

I've been told that the soil is "for bonsai" (it would seem to contain a coarse grain with small grainy rocks; it somehow resemble pumice, but i don't think it is)
I attached a picture, it is not well taken: the soil color is a nice uniform brown, from the picture it seems that it is moldy, it is not though

Thank you again

 

[Shibui]

Your tree is Ficus microcarpa sometimes known as Buddha belly fig.
Looks like this one has been cold or dry which can cause them to drop leaves. They are usually very hardy and it should grow new leaves when it gets better conditions. Keeping the soil wet for a long time can also cause leaf drop like this but your soil does not look wet so I think it is more likely to be too dry for too long.
Water when the soil is just starting to get dry. You should put enough water on the soil so it runs out the bottom of the pot so that means you will need a tray or water it on the kitchen sink or somewhere the water won't cause problems. If you can't water properly try soaking the pot in a tub of water every week or 2. Let it stay in the water at least until bubbles stop coming up but a few hours won't hurt. Soaking occasionally means the soil gets properly wet occasionally.

The soil looks OK for ficus bonsai. Many growers use pumice in bonsai soil so the white grains are probably just what they appear.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Knowing how you've watered can help. Though I am currently on team "too dry".

If you've been watering where it stands, until the tray is almost full, it's probably too little.

If you have been taking it to the sink and flooding it, it may be too wet.

This is a difficult soil/situation where wet it's too wet, and dry it's too dry. Unable to remain a happy medium of you will.

But yeah....it'll survive.

Sorce

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I am also team - too Dry.

Your soil looks like regular potting mix, which is not idea for a bonsai tree, I would follow suggestions of others here, and water thoroughly when the top of the soil is no longer damp. Once the tree has produced new foliage and is actively growing, I would then repot into a freer draining soil. With a freely draining soil mix, you can likely water a ficus nearly every day and not worry about drowning it.