Hello. I recently bought my bonsai about two months ago. I had played around with it in a few spots in my apartment but found it struggled in each spot. It just got warm enough for it to go outside (Philadelphia) but it is still struggling. I have it on our deck that gets direct sun from about 10am to 3pm. I water it when the soil feels dry. I have fertilizer spikes it it. I have it on a humidity tray. But leaves are still dropping and has maybe 10% of the original leaves left. The seller had it listed as an 18 year old tree.

I know this wasn't the smartest tree to get for my first one but any help salvaging it would be much appreciated.

do you have any picture? that might help further evaluate the problem.

They don't like to be moved around.
They don't have to be outside in the winter, but under some kind of frost protection (a unheated garage, for instance).
Morning sun or open shade is best for struggling trees.
Take out the fertiliser for now.
Please provide some pictures.

I gave it about 3 weeks at each spot to see if it improved as I did read about the moving around issue. Fertilizer is out. Pictures attached.

Thanks for the pictures.
I am very sorry, but it looks in very bad shape.
The drip tray does nothing good (or bad) for the tree.
What's under that mountain of Sphagnum moss? I mean, the soil is?

I presume. I did not want to disturb the tree to check for possible root bound or bad soil since I've read that should only be done in it's dormant period.

I just removed the moss ( it was a very thin layer) and the soil seems fine.

Though I suspect it's just normal potting or garden soil (unfortunately)

So can anyone help me or not?

spennyhm wrote:

So can anyone help me or not?

Your plant is in very bad shape, as said.
We are trying to help, but if it dies, which is probably what is going to happen, is because many things are wrong with it: soil, position, light, pot and watering.
Not your fault, but not ours either.