Newly Purchased Bonsai is dying

[ItsAlwaysSunnyinSF]

Purchased a Bonsai tree from a street vendor in California. It was for me and my wifes new home/apartment in SF. When we got it the plant was green, now it is slowly turning brown. He had given us some directions however they weren't written as clearly or explained as they could be given a small language barrier. I will post a picture of the tree soon and would appreciate if anyone could give me tips on some things.
1.) What kind of Bonsai? (I'm thinking Juniper)
2.) Watering schedule? I was told once every Wednesday, since he last watered it wendesday. I was told to fill it up with water to the brim.
3.) Fertilizer? The man who sold us the Bonsai said we could get this green little fertilizer which is to be sprinkled across the bonsai then just stick the rest into the base and itll slowly absorb. I think he told us once every two months.
4.) When should I repot?
5.) How to trim?
6.) Something growing in my bonsai tree they look like little seedlings.

Other important information. We live in the heart of SF. Weather in my specific location is typically 70% Sunny and 30% cloudy/ overcast. Weather is typically in high 50's at night and during the day anywhere from 63-75 Degrees F. We live on the top floor of an apartment building 20 floors up. We do have a outdoor patio and large glass windows from the floor to the ceiling and great tons of air and oxygen if we open up windows. It gets fairly windy here as well.

 

[ItsAlwaysSunnyinSF]

 

[ItsAlwaysSunnyinSF]

zone 10a?

 

[pandacular]

Junipers are not houseplants. This tree will continue to decline until it is placed outdoors.

 

[ItsAlwaysSunnyinSF]

Alright I'll place it in my patio which is outside hopefully that helps it out.

 

[BrianBay9]

Try reading here: https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/how-to-be-a-successful-bonsai-beginner.48994/

 

[caffeinated]

Alright I'll place it in my patio which is outside hopefully that helps it out.

if it's in constant wind on your balcony it can dry out very quickly. a small improvised wind barrier will help,

 

[SeanS]

2.) Watering schedule? I was told once every Wednesday, since he last watered it wendesday. I was told to fill it up with water to the brim.

Unfortunately after millions of years of evolution plants still have bent figured out the Gregorian calendar (dumb plants!). Because of this they’re not great at sticking to a schedule and can’t ration their water usage between weekly waterings. Generally bonsai (and other plants) should be watered when they need water, usually when the soil has dried out some.

 

[Shibui]

Your tree is a juniper. Probably Juniper procumbens 'nana' as they are very common for this sort of commercial bonsai.
The seedlings are probably weeds coming up from seed that was already in the soil.
The others have already said that junipers do not live long indoors. They really need direct sun for at least half the day. If you want an indoor bonsai choose Ficus or Schefflera.

Too much water can kill any potted plant. Not enough water can also kill a potted plant.
Water needs vary according to the time of year - more in summer and less in winter. Need to water according to the soil not the calendar.
You mention filling the pot to the brim with water. Does that mean there are no drain holes in the pot? That in itself will be a death sentence for most plants.

 

[leatherback]

Unfortunately after millions of years of evolution plants still have bent figured out the Gregorian calendar (dumb plants!).

Waaaat!? You tell me this only now!?

 

[rockm]

Unfortunately, bonsai vendors who sell on roadsides, street fairs, etc. tend not to be actual caretakers of what they sell. Many, if not most, of those sellers are simply hawking a product and aren't really interested in caring much for it. They rarely have any experience actually doing what they're telling you (At least for any length of time). They're interested in the money. That means take their "care" instructions with a grain of salt. The recipe your seller has given you will eventually kill your tree.

All of the above postings are correct. Junipers are NOT houseplants. Bonsai for the most part are not houseplants. Being in a pot doesn't make them so. They require outdoor conditions to remain healthy. They can't be watered on a schedule. They have to be watered when they need it. Watering correctly is doubly important for your plant since it look like it's in really really bad soil and is rootbound. The lava rocks on the surface are meant to hide what looks like a mess of mucky soil and roots beneath. This tree should be repotted into decent purpose made bonsai soil next spring. It should also have its roots sorted out as well. It's really not a good idea to repot now as it's well into the growing season and removing roots at this point could be very bad for the tree.

The "seedlings" are weeds. remove them.

If you want a bonsai that can tolerate indoor conditions, tree species of tropical origin will work better. Ficus in particular are pretty good indoors (BTW no tree is really happy inside all the time though).

 

[ItsAlwaysSunnyinSF]

Your tree is a juniper. Probably Juniper procumbens 'nana' as they are very common for this sort of commercial bonsai.
The seedlings are probably weeds coming up from seed that was already in the soil.
The others have already said that junipers do not live long indoors. They really need direct sun for at least half the day. If you want an indoor bonsai choose Ficus or Schefflera.

Too much water can kill any potted plant. Not enough water can also kill a potted plant.
Water needs vary according to the time of year - more in summer and less in winter. Need to water according to the soil not the calendar.
You mention filling the pot to the brim with water. Does that mean there are no drain holes in the pot? That in itself will be a death sentence for most plants.

Thanks for the reply, Ill try to keep this plant alive with this advice you gave/

 

[ItsAlwaysSunnyinSF]

Unfortunately, bonsai vendors who sell on roadsides, street fairs, etc. tend not to be actual caretakers of what they sell. Many, if not most, of those sellers are simply hawking a product and aren't really interested in caring much for it. They rarely have any experience actually doing what they're telling you (At least for any length of time). They're interested in the money. That means take their "care" instructions with a grain of salt. The recipe your seller has given you will eventually kill your tree.

All of the above postings are correct. Junipers are NOT houseplants. Bonsai for the most part are not houseplants. Being in a pot doesn't make them so. They require outdoor conditions to remain healthy. They can't be watered on a schedule. They have to be watered when they need it. Watering correctly is doubly important for your plant since it look like it's in really really bad soil and is rootbound. The lava rocks on the surface are meant to hide what looks like a mess of mucky soil and roots beneath. This tree should be repotted into decent purpose made bonsai soil next spring. It should also have its roots sorted out as well. It's really not a good idea to repot now as it's well into the growing season and removing roots at this point could be very bad for the tree.

The "seedlings" are weeds. remove them.

If you want a bonsai that can tolerate indoor conditions, tree species of tropical origin will work better. Ficus in particular are pretty good indoors (BTW no tree is really happy inside all the time though).

Dang cost me $155 . Welp ill follow this advice. Water as needed by checking soil and temperatures. Give it more time outside, and repotting it come spring time.

 

[rockm]

Dang cost me $155 . Welp ill follow this advice. Water as needed by checking soil and temperatures. Give it more time outside, and repotting it come spring time.

You will probably jump off the building if you knew what the mark up was for that tree . If you've after a decent bonsai for that kind of money--look around at reputable online sites

Here's one of the largest and reputable:

Juniper Bonsai is a classic tree variety for bonsai

Juniper Bonsai are a big part of every serious bonsai hobbiests' collection. Branches can be wired into the perfect shape and provide joy for years to come.

brusselsbonsai.com

There are some others as well. BTW, Brussels pricing is on the higher side, but it's well below what you paid for your tree. The trees are also healthier and better quality for the most part.

 

[Lorax7]

Dang cost me $155 . Welp ill follow this advice. Water as needed by checking soil and temperatures. Give it more time outside, and repotting it come spring time.

Oh, man, you got taken for a ride. Sorry to hear it. You can get a much better tree for that kind of money, even at California prices. I’d suggest you look around for a local bonsai club. Someone there can point you in the direction of more reputable local sources for pre-bonsai and bonsai for your next tree purchase.

 

[BrightsideB]

Also before purchasing another tree. Learn about whatever tree you get next if you want to continue the hobby. The procumbens you bought is pretty forgiving to mistakes but still requires some knowledge to keep alive in a little pot.

 

[BrightsideB]

Oh, man, you got taken for a ride. Sorry to hear it. You can get a much better tree for that kind of money, even at California prices. I’d suggest you look around for a local bonsai club. Someone there can point you in the direction of more reputable local sources for pre-bonsai and bonsai for your next tree purchase.

Wouldn’t say taken for a ride. Not like they were shammed for thousands. Just a higher ticket to entry.

 

[rockm]

Oh, man, you got taken for a ride. Sorry to hear it. You can get a much better tree for that kind of money, even at California prices. I’d suggest you look around for a local bonsai club. Someone there can point you in the direction of more reputable local sources for pre-bonsai and bonsai for your next tree purchase.

I left the wrong impression. The OP didn't get taken for a ride really. When you get into bonsai, you don't know what you don't know. I made similar mistakes when I was starting out. "Mistake" trees, I'd bet, are pretty common among folks here -- if they're willing to admit it.

When you're beginning, You're impressed by the tree in front of you. You don't have any frame of reference. You fork over the dinero because you want that tree in your life. It's only later, like a year or so, as you see more and more "real" bonsai, that it dawns on you that your first tree (if it's still alive) is mostly not worth much and may actually be a piece of crap you paid too much for. I had several of those trees for years, then I visited Chase Rosade's place and saw trees for the same money that were waaay better

Live and learn.

 

[Esolin]

I hope your tree makes it, but if it dies, the good news is you can keep the pot and decorations, go down to your local plant nursery, buy a new landscaping nana procumbens juniper for much cheaper, plant it up and try again. Once you know what their care needs are in your climate/location, you should be able to keep one alive on your balcony. Practicing with a few cheap trees from regular plant nurseries is a great way to hone your skills before you start buying more expensive trees from bonsai sellers.

 

[Lorax7]

I left the wrong impression. The OP didn't get taken for a ride really. When you get into bonsai, you don't know what you don't know. I made similar mistakes when I was starting out. "Mistake" trees, I'd bet, are pretty common among folks here -- if they're willing to admit it.

When you're beginning, You're impressed by the tree in front of you. You don't have any frame of reference. You fork over the dinero because you want that tree in your life. It's only later, like a year or so, as you see more and more "real" bonsai, that it dawns on you that your first tree (if it's still alive) is mostly not worth much and may actually be a piece of crap you paid too much for. I had several of those trees for years, then I visited Chase Rosade's place and saw trees for the same money that were waaay better

Live and learn.

The way I see it, the seller undoubtedly knew the tree wasn’t worth that. It appears to be little more than a rooted cutting. While there was no fraud involved, as the tree promised was the same as the tree delivered, I think it was still unethical for the seller to stick an undeveloped tree in a pot, call it bonsai, and sell it for way more than it’s worth. Exploiting the ignorance of beginners isn’t cool. It may be legal, but that doesn’t make it acceptable.