I'm new and concerned!

[J33psR4chicks]

Hello everyone! I am new to the forum and wanted to get a few opinions on my new bonsai.

I purchased a small chinese elm about two months ago from a local festival. Since then it has been doing well on my windowsill, showing a lot of new growth. It was receiving daily mistings, unscheduled waterings, and direct/indirect sunlight for about 10 hours a day.

Recently the weather has grown warmer and I decided that it was time to move my bonsai outdoors, where it will receive direct morning light and indirect afternoon light.

Upon making the move I decided to give my little tree a good look over. I noticed that some of the leaves have brown patches on them. Could this be burns from misting and direct light through the window? I attached an image.

Thanks in advance!
Tori

 

[mat]

I've watered a lot of plants in direct Florida summer sun and have never seen a leaf burn because a drop of water was on it when the sun hit it.

 

[J33psR4chicks]

Okay well I am at a loss for what caused the brown patches. Can anyone offer a reason?

 

[barrosinc]

Bugs?

 

[edprocoat]

Looks like damage from a beetle, but being inside its probably either mites or aphids.

ed

 

[J33psR4chicks]

Thanks Ed

What would be the best way to take care of them?

 

[sorce]

Looks like it could have been the sun, because it was hotter THROUGH the window.

Never seen that from bugs.

I'd take the brown ones off. A few a day Maybe, I don't think you'll see them again!

How bout a fully tree shot?

Sorce

 

[jk_lewis]

You're not gonna get leaf burn thru a window. It was an insect of some kind, but now that you have it outside (where it should stay always from now on!) you will be OK.

 

[J33psR4chicks]

I looked all over my tree this morning with a magnifier and saw no sign of bugs. But I will keep my eye on it and keep you posted.

Here is a full shot of my baby.

 

[mat]

Looks pretty healthy to me. What's the tupperware for? You don't really want the tree sitting in water.

 

[J33psR4chicks]

It's there for a little humidity. Its only about 1/8" of water, if that. The tupperware has a raised spot in the center that the pot is sitting on. The water line does not reach the pot or the tree.

 

[rockm]

Your tree DOES NOT NEED SUPPLEMENTAL HUMIDITY OUTDOORS. Sorry to shout, but humidity levels outside don't need the augmentation of a tray (Trays are useless indoors and are mainly encouraged by those who sell them). Outside trees have adequate humidity with no supplement (unless you live somewhere in a desert like Vegas, or Kuwait).

You have set up the tree for accidental root rot. If it rains, for instance, that pot's water level will rise. That can mean the tree will stay submerged for a while, longer if you're not around. Not all that big of a crisis, but repeated soaking and soggy soil that keeps getting wet will rot roots.

 

[J33psR4chicks]

Okay I will remove the tray. And no... I don't think you were all that sorry to shout.

 

[M. Frary]

And no... I don't think you were all that sorry to shout

L.O.L.!