sick bonsai

[bobsnuggles]

So, recently I noticed that my Hawaiian umbrella bonsai was.. thinning. I wish you could have seen him before he got sick because he was so beautiful! He was lush and full and most def not sick at all

Comments

[nulldevice]

I can't tell from the photos, but perhaps it's root-bound and needs a repotting?

How often has it been watered? What's the current soil condition? Has it been moved recently? Any changes in temperature?

I've got an - admittedly terrible - schiffelera bonsai similar to that one that I've horribly abused, and they tend to bounce back. Unless the roots are somehow damaged, a good regimen of watering and sunlight should allow it to bounce back.

If it's rootbound, though, you should root-prune and repot asap.

[bobsnuggles]

Rootbound? Well, it's getting hot this time of year, but I generally keep the air inside pretty average... around 78 degrees or so.

Well, I've been adament about watering since I realized it was sick...

I didn't know for a long time because I had finals and such, and I just thought it was naturally just thinning out.

I have no idea how to tell good soil from bad soil. I'm pretty positive the roots haven't been damaged... I have no idea how they would have been since the tree stays in my room...

[nulldevice]

Well, if it's been in that pot for a while, the roots can grow substantially and pretty much squeeze themselves out, hindering their ability to absorb nutriets and water.

The easy question about the soil - what's it look like? Is it sort of a fine gravel? Is it heavy on dirt/organic material? How quickly does it drain when you water it?

When you water it, how well does the water drain overall? They like to be moist, but don't like to sit in water - they can become prone to root-rot or other fungal infections.

[pissingdogzendo]

Just guessing here, but I think we have the same plant: Arboricola sheffelera, aka Hiwaiian Umbrella Plant as you called it

[bobsnuggles]

Well, my mom got it for me for christmas. I live in the south too, and I'm afraid to take it outside because it's been in the triple digits heat wise near here.

I don't know much about my tree, but I've kept it pretty well watered...

If I took off all the dying leaves I'd have, literally, no leaves left. Should I anyway and just make a completely new start?

I scraped the trunk and it is still a very bright, vibrant green color, so I don't think it's dead, but I'm just so worried!

[pissingdogzendo]

I definitely wouldn't put it outside. I would water it thoroughly, though, and allow it to drain. Then, set it in a tray and put a little water around it. Make sure to try to mist it daily, too.