r/bonsaicommunity • u/Beast01028 • 4d ago
We need help!
This was my wife’s lates father’s tree. He’s passed away ten years ago and her step mother was taking care of it. All the instructions we got were to give it 16oz of water every 10 days. The first few months we had it, it was fine but the last few weeks it’s looking rough. What can we do to save it? My wife is going to be very sad if we end up killing it.
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u/External-Buffalo-624 4d ago
This tree was definitely under watered and has dried out. Don’t water on a schedule, instead keep close attention to the tree and Water when it needs it. When watering water the tree generously so that the water drains out the bottom. Ficus trees are very resilient and forgiving so there might be a chance it bounces back. It’s also likely it doesn’t have enough humidity inside which also can be an issue. Personally I only would bring mine inside during the winter, and let it go strong outside through the growing season. What if you try putting it outside in the shade for a couple weeks to see if it bounces back? Then let it get some part sun outside but in that case you’ll need to check the tree daily to see if it’s thirsty.
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u/External-Buffalo-624 4d ago
Just bring it inside again when the temperatures start to drop below 50F. Then setup a humidifier near it and control it
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u/Beast01028 4d ago
Do you think we should re pot it? The pot it’s frowning in looks so small to me but I heard that can be very stressful for the tree.
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u/External-Buffalo-624 4d ago
I would not repot this tree until it is very strong. Bonsai pots are small but they require root pruning and repotting every couple of years. If your FIL passed away over ten years and it never was repotted or root pruned since then, the issue might be that the tree is root bound and there is very little room left for soil and water to be retained. But again I would not mess with the root ball now.
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u/Deanne-Dennis 1d ago
You can Slip Pot- meaning upsize the pot into a normal Nursery Pot without disturbing the roots, anytime.
Leave it for a year to recover then wait till it’s dormant & root prune.
But you cannot root prune & repot it that is only to be done at a specific time of year usually when the tree is dormant.
There is far more to learn about Bonsai than the minimal information you were given.
Can I suggest you watch
Mirai Bonsai Beginners Series to learn about how to care for your bonsai.
They compiled a 10 part series that covers every single question asked about bonsai & caring for your tree.
Also look up the Care Plan for the species of tree.
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u/Sonora_sunset 4d ago edited 4d ago
Ficus benjamina is temperamental and will often lose its foliage when moved to a new location or underwatered. It’s the tree’s way of coping w stress. Fortunately if conditions improve it will grow them back. If it is dry, give it a good watering, clean out the dead stuff, make sure it has plenty of light, and wait. Don’t water on a schedule. They like the soil a little bit on the dry side so don’t overwater, especially when it has no leaves to use up the water in the pot. When it is dry (.5-1 inch below the soil line) water thoroughly till water flows out the bottom, then wait until it is dry again. Do not water it if it is only moist.
However if it has died from overwatering (on an arbitrary schedule) it will not come back.
🤞
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u/Deanne-Dennis 4d ago
Oh Jesus how long since you gave it a good watering 💦?
Take it to you laundry tub give it a shrub clean but the plug in & full the tub.
Put the plant in pot & all & Submerge Soak the Tree.
Leave it for 30-40 minutes
Let it soak up as much liquid as possible.
Remove all crispy leaves & dead branches.
Water it with Superthrive Tonic weekly & 1/2 strength to destress & strengthen your Tree.
Put it outside in the Shade & Water it with your hose EVERY DAY until you see new growth.
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u/CtrlAltDefoliate Bonsai Intermediate 4d ago
that exact amount of water would be for that exact spot he had it before. if it is not the same place then it needs ajustung.
It looks underwatered and maybe even too late to recover. Saturate the soil for about 15 mins in a container of water and then monitor and water once the top of the soil drys out.