Hello there,

I'm new to this forum, its the first one I've joined so far actually.

So I have had my two bonsai's (taller ones - Chinese elm) since December. To be honest, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but they don't look so happy or healthy to me, however, that might just be me worrying too much. Like where to place them, are they getting enough light without the heat.

I do prune them, maybe I'm doing it incorrectly.
I haven't wired them or repotted them since buying. I didn't buy them from a specialist and I'm definitely not an expert. I am here for a lot of help because I really enjoy my trees. I do want this to become a great hobby for myself.

I also have a Japanese elm I believe, correct me if I am wrong. I bought this one about 2 weeks ago however when I brought him home his leaves dried up and they fell off.

How do you guys feel after seeing the photos? Do they look ok? is there anything I can do to help them grow more healthy?

I also have a pretty cool fiscus thats in shape of a elephant

More pictures

im done with photos (:

Can anyone help?

irmak09 wrote: How do you guys feel after seeing the photos? Do they look ok?

They do not look happy. They are not good bonsai either. The ficus is not a bonsai at all.

irmak09 wrote: I'm new to this forum, its the first one I've joined so far actually.

Welcome, Irma.

irmak09 wrote: So is there anything I can do to help them grow more healthy?

They don't look well at all.
Are they outside?
Do you water them just when they need it?
Do you keep moving them around? ( they don't like it).
Are you fertilizing the amount indicated in the label? Not too much? Not too little?
They need fresh air, sun, water and fertilizer. They don't need a name, but to know your trees is fundamental, there is a lot of info in this site.

Thanks for that very detailed reply.

Hello.

Theyre indoors, I recently moved them to how they are now before they were right in the heat.

Yes I water them when they need it, however I may have over done it a little with the worry that i wasnt watering them enough.
Yes i also fertilise them. Not too much i do it once every 2 weeks or so.

I understand there is a lot of information on this website and I have read through it. I can say they have sun, water and fertiliser.

So what am i doing wrong?

Clicio wrote:

irmak09 wrote: I'm new to this forum, its the first one I've joined so far actually.

Welcome, Irma.

irmak09 wrote: So is there anything I can do to help them grow more healthy?

They don't look well at all.
Are they outside?
Do you water them just when they need it?
Do you keep moving them around? ( they don't like it).
Are you fertilizing the amount indicated in the label? Not too much? Not too little?
They need fresh air, sun, water and fertilizer. They don't need a name, but to know your trees is fundamental, there is a lot of info in this site.

Hard to tell what's going wrong, too little light, too dry air, soil, watering... the climate in your house. Growing bonsai indoors is just much harder than growing them outside. You write:

> I do want this to become a great hobby for myself.

So I'd like to recommend you to start growing trees outside. It's not just you. This forum is flooded with people who buy low quality mallsai, grow them indoors and see them deteriorate. That's just how this industry works. They look kinda nice when you buy them, but most people loose these trees.

Actually, I dear say all people. We do see the same question about the same type of tree many, many times. People get advice, but I cannot recall ever having seen anyone come back with pictures of a recovered tree - let alone pictures of a good bonsai created from trees like this.

It's depressing.

I understand you, I know it gets repetitive and yes that's depressing but I want to save my trees. I live in a flat therefore I dont have the outdoor space for a Bonsai, thats why I thought its best to start with door bonsais.

Maybe it will help if I explain. My flat is very bright, very light, especially where the bonsais are, they get the most light in this part of the house they're in now. I have huge open windows, so there is a lot of fresh air when needed also. I water them when I feel the soil is getting dry, I water them - as instructed by the florist which god help me if its wrong that I water them in my sink till they stop 'bubbling'.
I feel like I go wrong when I prune them, maybe I do it too much. I seriously a beginner and I would just love some advice on what to do from you guys that have these trees and know how and what to do to look after them. Maybe some personalised advice would be great!

Please help.

Auk wrote: Hard to tell what's going wrong, too little light, too dry air, soil, watering... the climate in your house. Growing bonsai indoors is just much harder than growing them outside. You write:

> I do want this to become a great hobby for myself.

So I'd like to recommend you to start growing trees outside. It's not just you. This forum is flooded with people who buy low quality mallsai, grow them indoors and see them deteriorate. That's just how this industry works. They look kinda nice when you buy them, but most people loose these trees.

Actually, I dear say all people. We do see the same question about the same type of tree many, many times. People get advice, but I cannot recall ever having seen anyone come back with pictures of a recovered tree - let alone pictures of a good bonsai created from trees like this.

It's depressing.