Help! Is my brand new Brazilian Rain Tree Dying?

[ChilledWill]

Hi!

I just got my first bonsai tree four days ago from a Bonsai nursery in Colorado, and I'm worried it's dying. I paid $150 for it, so I really want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

Here are my concerns:

1. Lack of Sunlight - I brought it home during a big snowstorm, so it hasn't gotten much direct sunlight. I placed it where it was getting some light, but I'm not sure if it was enough. Now, it looks sad and is dropping a lot of green leaves and even some new green branches. (I just got this full spectrum light so I hope this will bring her back into shape!)
2. Slugs in the Soil - I found two slugs in the pot (one was under the fisherman). I removed all the rocks to check for more, but I'm worried there could be other pests hiding.
3. Tiny Yellow and White Bugs - I noticed a bunch of small yellow and white bugs on the leaves. I was considering getting Smart Grower Neem Oil Spray, but l've heard mixed reviews-some say it could harm the plant, and others say it might not even get rid of these bugs.
4. Green Trunk - The trunk looks very green, and I'm not sure if that's normal or a sign of a problem. Not really sure what root rot looks like.

Sorry for the long post, but l'd really appreciate any advice! I spent quite a bit on this tree, and I don't want it to die within a week.

Thanks you!!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Welcome to the site!

This is a tough time of the year for Brazillian Rain Trees, which are true tropicals and which will pout if conditions are not to their liking. These conditions usually include any combination of (1) cold temps (2) not enough water (3) not enough sun (4) low humidity (5) recent repotting. I'm not a fan of the high content of decomposed granite in the soil mix - it holds zero moisture and makes it difficult to see how dry the rootball is.

Generally speaking the tree doesn't look that bad. BRTs can wilt like that even overnight if they aren't happy. The trunks and branches will be green until the tree ages, at which point it will start develop a thin tan bark. The tree will never be particularly "corky" or have chunky bark. Think of it looking more like a ficus bark. There is a little green on the lower trunk which is just a sign of some algae and a sign that perhaps that part of the trunk was (until recently) at or beneath the soil line.

Be careful you aren't giving it too much light in the short term - particularly if the tree came from a lower light environment and just spent some time in a shipping box. Those artificial grow lights can be more powerful than you might initially think, and I see some signs that the tender new shoots are getting damaged, which can be a sign of too much light (at least until the tree becomes accustomed to a different light level)

 

[BrightsideB]

Welcome! It’s a neat tree! Tropicals can be challenging to keep healthy in non tropical regions but is definitely possible and a lot of people do it but takes some experience and knowledge.

Have to take it a step at a time. Like @bonsai Nutsaid about the light. That drooping foliage could be from to much light intensity. Also the indoor climate is really dry. But that doesn’t mean water it. It could already have enough moisture in the container. But something to keep in mind.

Did you buy the tree in person? Might see if you can take it to them and see if they can help if possible.

If things decline with the tree and the worst happens. Don’t let it ruin your interest in bonsai. You took on a challenging tree for a first bonsai. There are many good options that are easier to care for in your area.

 

[Fyre]

Hey, I am new to the forum as of yesterday but I'm gonna throw out 2 cents. Your tree looks like it has an aphid infestation and is stressed from changing environments. I can't really see what the white insect is. The aphids and the white insect is pretty blurry and make it hard to identify. I would hold off on the neem oil and do a soap and water spray. 3 teaspoons of dish soap added to a large squirt bottle may be all you need. Because the tree looks stressed I would hold off on the neem oil. Wouldn't worry about the slugs unless you start to see more. Slugs and snails seem to always show up in moist wet areas where leaves and stuff start to decay. Know too that BRT's tend to drop leaves pretty often. Especially when you bring them inside. They are fast growers and will replenish pretty fast. I have mine under a grow light similar to yours and it does just fine.

A quick search and you can find info about soap and water sprays. You basically spray it on, and spray heavily until it drips off. Leave is for a few minutes to do its thing then rinse really well to wash the soap and water off. Recommend you cover the soil with a pice of plastic to keep the soap out of the soil.

 

[Fyre]

PS Is it possible for you to move your BRT so that it is in a bright window? I looked again at your set up and think the location you have it in is not bright enough even though you have a grow light. The grow light is smaller than I thought.

 

[Paradox]

Wilting can be from stress and moving it recently can be a cause of stress.
It can also mean the tree dried out, however the green truck can mean too much water.

So here is what I suggest:
Get a wooden chopstick or piece of dowel and stick it in the pot and leave it there.
Take it out once a day and look at and feel it.
Water the tree when the stick is almost dry. Do not let it dry out completely, BRT really hate to get dry.
This will help teach you when it needs water.

It will probably lose all those wilted leaves but should start growing them back in a month.
Youll start to see little green buds swelling. When that happens, give it a little bit of miracle grow once every two weeks.

 

[Paradox]

PS Is it possible for you to move your BRT so that it is in a bright window? I looked again at your set up and think the location you have it in is not bright enough even though you have a grow light. The grow light is smaller than I thought.

Sorry but this is bad advice.
A window will not be better than the grow light. Winter sun is much less intense than summer and the glass from a window will filter out most of the wavelengths the tree needs.

I am in the great cold north of New York. I have 4 BRT (at least 2 of which I have had for 10 years) that spend the winter under lights in my basement and they grow during the winter under those conditions except for about a month where they appear to be sorta dormant. Not completely but the growth slows down considerably from January into February. In March they start growing again and I have to trim them back at least once, sometimes twice before they go back outside in June.

 

[Fyre]

I never implied that the grow light should not be used along with a bright window.

 

[Carol 83]

As others have said, it's totally normal for BRT'S to wilt and drop leaves after being in a new environment and especially after being shipped. Good aftercare generally means they'll perk up and get back to growing pretty quickly. What no one has addressed and is disturbing me is the slugs and bugs on the tree that you mentioned. I would contact the nursery that you purchased it from and make sure they are aware. Most of the trees I have were shipped and I have never had any arrive infested.

 

[snowman04]

The slugs were my first concern too... Can't tell what damage they are doing to the roots without looking in!

 

[snowman04]

Sorry but this is bad advice.
A window will not be better than the grow light. Winter sun is much less intense than summer and the glass from a window will filter out most of the wavelengths the tree needs.

I am in the great cold north of New York. I have 4 BRT (at least 2 of which I have had for 10 years) that spend the winter under lights in my basement and they grow during the winter under those conditions except for about a month where they appear to be sorta dormant. Not completely but the growth slows down considerably from January into February. In March they start growing again and I have to trim them back at least once, sometimes twice before they go back outside in June.

View attachment 583808

Beautiful trees! What is the winter temp in your basement? I would love to get one of these but I'm not sure about the cold season...

 

[Paradox]

Beautiful trees! What is the winter temp in your basement? I would love to get one of these but I'm not sure about the cold season...

It is a finished basement and doesn't go below 60-65 F. The lights actually help with that a bit as they are fluorescent. I do plan on switching to LED once I run out of spares for the fluorescent bulbs

 

[snowman04]

Great! Tnx...

It is a finished basement and doesn't go below 60-65 F. The lights actually help with that a bit as they are fluorescent. I do plan on switching to LED once I run out of spares for the fluorescent bulbs

I have that too so I may take a shot on a smaller one soon...