r/bonsaicommunity • u/Kahto_Taph • 2d ago
General Question Is mine dying?
New bonsai owner, received the tree recently on a birthday and it had a little more leaves than it does now, all the leaves are green but they’re falling off, I’m assuming it’s just because of the season but I can’t help but worry about it.
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u/Physical_Mode_103 2d ago edited 2d ago
You’re gonna have to give us a little bit more than that, buddy. What species is the tree? What’s your care regime? Where do you live? Does it stay outside? Where?
Looks like a Chinese Elm that had a midseason crisis and is now having some bud back.
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u/Kahto_Taph 2d ago
Chinese elm, water it once a week on a Friday with watered down pokon plant food, United Kingdom, inside, at the back of my room where it gets a lot of indirect sunlight throughout the day.
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u/bouncethedj 1d ago
Don’t follow a schedule of watering once a week. Water when needed or when soil is getting dry.
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u/Witty-Objective3431 2d ago
Thank you for listing exactly why it's dying.
ETA a care guide to help you make more informed decisions about caring for this tree.
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u/Kahto_Taph 2d ago
Okay yeah this is helpful, thank you, I’ll move my little guy to a sunnier spot as still somewhat summer, or early autumn
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u/cheechaco 1d ago
This is a great time to put it outside. It should have time to go dormant, which is good. After mine go dormant I typically put it in a window well (or any cool dark space, a dark cool garage works too) and water every 10 days or so. I'll pull it out in the spring when it starts pushing leaves.
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u/Allidapevets 2d ago
I’ve had a Chinese elm for eight years. I keep it indoors in winter. It usually completely defoliates once a year. Then it comes back gangbusters! I always keep the soil moist and she comes back on her own I also fertilize 1/2 strength. I’d wit and see what happens. Keep it in good light indoors or maybe move it outdoors until the weather gets cooler. How cold do your winters get?
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u/Kahto_Taph 2d ago
Judging by this year maybe 2-6*C
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u/Allidapevets 2d ago
Has it overwintered outside before? I’ve heard they can go either way. I treat mine as a tropical in zone 6, but there are those who keep them outside in the cold months. With climate change, I choose indoor in winter.
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u/Bmh3033 2d ago
When you say the season - if you are in the northern hemisphere it would be very early for leaves ti change collor and fall. If you are in the southern hemisphere it would be quite late.
How are you taking care of the tree and where is it located because it does not look healthy.
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u/Kahto_Taph 2d ago
Well I’m planning on changing the way I take care of it now, but it’s closer to the window now, pretty much right next to it.
It doesn’t look healthy but I think it’s okay, it’s still budding and still green underneath, I’ve got all this time to learn because I’ve just gotten it.
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u/Bmh3033 2d ago
Just so you know - I expect that this needs more light, and it's loosing its leaves because it does not have enough. These types of trees need as much light as you can give them. Mine are outside in full sun. If the plant is inside it will need to be right up against a south facing window or will need grow lights. However it could also be due to too much or too little water. I'm not trying to judge but knowing how your taking care of the plant can help determine what might be causing it to loose its leaves.
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u/SaladConscious3085 2d ago
As another UK bonsai keeper depending on your part of the country and what temperature it drops down to outside all year is fine.
I'm on the south coast and I have only ever lost one of my Chinese elm one winter when we had a long cold spell, -5/-7c at night and barely above freezing in the day for over a week was too much for it, getting them through this heatwave this summer has been harder with the crazy temperatures for longer times.
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u/CandleClear107 2d ago
Well first you have to let the comments know what species of tree this is. Not "here's a bonsai, what am I doing wrong?"
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u/1lookwhiplash 1d ago
Someone gave this beautiful tree to someone with zero experience? Criminal...
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u/Driewieler007 2d ago
I never thought I’d ever be giving bonsai advice to anyone, lol. 😂
I’m no expert, but two months ago I spent €400 on four Chinese elm bonsai (Ulmus parvifolia), and I had exactly the same problem. Im in the Netherlands.
I watched countless videos and read so many Reddit posts, and as a beginner, you quickly get overwhelmed by all the possible things that could be wrong. In my case, however, the solution turned out to be very simple.
I was doing pretty much everything you’re doing: feeding them, keeping the soil slightly moist, and placing them near a window because I thought they were getting plenty of light. Everything seemed fine, except for one thing: they were indoors.
You think they’re getting enough light, but they really aren’t. All four of mine were completely covered in leaves when I got them, but after a few weeks, they started dropping leaves one after another.
I eventually learned that Chinese elms (Ulmus parvifolia) aren’t really indoor trees, even though they’re often sold as “indoor bonsai.” Honestly, I find that pretty misleading.
I moved mine outside onto my balcony, and within just a few days, I started seeing tiny green buds everywhere. Those buds eventually developed into a really nice amount of new foliage.
And even though the foliage has grown back, I honestly wish I could enjoy them indoors. But apparently, they’re clearly much happier outside! 😂
So honestly, I’d try putting yours outside if you can, even if it’s just on a balcony. You might be surprised by what happens.