What kind of bonsai do I have??

[paigelovesplants]

I have had my bonsai for a year now, and I’m still not sure what it is, but I think it’s dying and I need help! I don’t know if it naturally loses its leaves in the colder months or what but I’m very concerned. I’ve made sure to water it so the soil is damp at all times and to put it in indirect sunlight. Please help if you know ANYTHING about this, and thank you so much!

 

[Nybonsai12]

a dead one....

any pics of the leaves when it had them?

 

[paigelovesplants]

Unfortunately no, they fell a couple weeks ago. What do you think I did wrong, from what you can see? Can you give me a general guess of what it might be? Thank you so much for replying!

 

[yashu]

Has the tree been inside the whole time?

 

[paigelovesplants]

Yes, ever since I bought it. Now, I did buy it from Lowes, but I repotted it in bonsai specific soil with good drainage and it started thriving, but clearly it’s been going down hill these few weeks. It started losing A LOT of leaves about two or three weeks ago. We’ve had a few freezes here, but it’s always been in my window as pictured.

 

[hardtimes]

needed more light and possibly less water. keeping the soil damp is generally not a good idea for most species

. did you get it from the indoor section at lowes? possibly its a ficus

 

[paigelovesplants]

It was in the indoor section, yes, and thank you for the video, definitely need pointers. I just thought I was doing good because it was growing new branches and new leaves for a while. I’m so disappointed, I killed my first bonsai I’ve ever owned

 

[Nybonsai12]

Likely a fukien tea or chinese elm... without knowing it's tough to give advice.

As for killing your first bonsai, we've all done it.. killed firsts, seconds, thirds and many more thereafter..

 

[hardtimes]

It was in the indoor section, yes, and thank you for the video, definitely need pointers. I just thought I was doing good because it was growing new branches and new leaves for a while. I’m so disappointed, I killed my first bonsai I’ve ever owned

yeah me too! it was a black pine and i actually still struggle with them, but i have other plants ive been incredibly successful with. its a learning curve for sure. if you add your location maybe you can someone from your area give a suggestion for your next one

 

[paigelovesplants]

Thank you guys so much for your help, and thank you for reassuring me, lol. Maybe next time I’ll get back on here and show you guys my new one. As of now, I’ve got a pot to empty

 

[paigelovesplants]

yeah me too! it was a black pine and i actually still struggle with them, but i have other plants ive been incredibly successful with. its a learning curve for sure. if you add your location maybe you can someone from your area give a suggestion for your next one

That’s really good advice, I will definitely do that and get another one that is better for my location, thank you so so much for your time!

 

[rockm]

It was in the indoor section, yes, and thank you for the video, definitely need pointers. I just thought I was doing good because it was growing new branches and new leaves for a while. I’m so disappointed, I killed my first bonsai I’ve ever owned

You are hardly alone in killing your first bonsai. Most, if not all, of the people here killed their first one. The Learning curve is steep at first.

Determining species is the first step in caring for a bonsai. Indoor trees aren't really. There are not species of plants or trees that 'like' to be grown indoors. There are only those species that can tolerate the harsh indoor conditions (extremely low light and humidity, no air circulation, etc.). Ficus, schefflera and a couple of others can handle it, mostly. Junipers, maples, elms (even Chinese elms) don't.

Your location (state, etc. ) has a huge impact on how and what kinds of trees you can grow. Putting that info in your avatar on the left helps everyone here give you the best advice.

Watering is the second big step in learning how to keep bonsai. It's critical (and complicated by the crappy soil used in big box store and mass produced 'beginner' trees).

 

[Nybonsai12]

Thank you guys so much for your help, and thank you for reassuring me, lol. Maybe next time I’ll get back on here and show you guys my new one. As of now, I’ve got a pot to empty

before doing so, scratch the bark on the trunk. if it's green underneath it may still be alive.. if brown. it's gone.

 

[paigelovesplants]

You are hardly alone in killing your first bonsai. Most, if not all, of the people here killed their first one. The Learning curve is steep at first.

Determining species is the first step in caring for a bonsai. Indoor trees aren't really. There are not species of plants or trees that 'like' to be grown indoors. There are only those species that can tolerate the harsh indoor conditions (extremely low light and humidity, no air circulation, etc.). Ficus, schefflera and a couple of others can handle it, mostly. Junipers, maples, elms (even Chinese elms) don't.

Your location (state, etc. ) has a huge impact on how and what kinds of trees you can grow. Putting that info in your avatar on the left helps everyone here give you the best advice.

Watering is the second big step in learning how to keep bonsai. It's critical (and complicated by the crappy soil used in big box store and mass produced 'beginner' trees).

Thank you for

You are hardly alone in killing your first bonsai. Most, if not all, of the people here killed their first one. The Learning curve is steep at first.

Determining species is the first step in caring for a bonsai. Indoor trees aren't really. There are not species of plants or trees that 'like' to be grown indoors. There are only those species that can tolerate the harsh indoor conditions (extremely low light and humidity, no air circulation, etc.). Ficus, schefflera and a couple of others can handle it, mostly. Junipers, maples, elms (even Chinese elms) don't.

Your location (state, etc. ) has a huge impact on how and what kinds of trees you can grow. Putting that info in your avatar on the left helps everyone here give you the best advice.

Watering is the second big step in learning how to keep bonsai. It's critical (and complicated by the crappy soil used in big box store and mass produced 'beginner' trees).

Thank you for the pointers, I will do a lot more research and find a better type of bonsai to try again and hopefully I can learn more about perfecting this art of growing them. I am so excited to learn more about growing different types of bonsai and learning along the way!

 

[paigelovesplants]

before doing so, scratch the bark on the trunk. if it's green underneath it may still be alive.. if brown. it's gone.

It’s definitely gone…

 

[Nybonsai12]

It’s definitely gone…

Yup....onto the next one!!

 

[paigelovesplants]

Yup....onto the next one!!

Any recommendations for beginners in Oklahoma? Lol I’ll get one in the spring once I’ve decided.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Any recommendations for beginners in Oklahoma? Lol I’ll get one in the spring once I’ve decided.

Hopefully someone with Tropical bonsai experience chimes in.. the answer is usually some sort of ficus.

I don't keep trees indoor trees, so I cannot say. You may wish to look into joining a local club to help you out as well. Good luck.

 

[paigelovesplants]

Hopefully someone with Tropical bonsai experience chimes in.. the answer is usually some sort of ficus.

I don't keep trees indoor trees, so I cannot say. You may wish to look into joining a local club to help you out as well. Good luck.

Thank you! I’m definitely gonna need it!

 

[yashu]

It was in the indoor section, yes, and thank you for the video, definitely need pointers. I just thought I was doing good because it was growing new branches and new leaves for a while. I’m so disappointed, I killed my first bonsai I’ve ever owned

Everyone has done this.

Unfortunately the instructions with those box store bought trees are rarely accurate. Poke around on this forum and then give it another go! It’s all a learning experience.