Hello!!
I have signed on with Bonsai Empire in hopes someone can help us save our Ginseng Bonsai.
I have had many Bonsais over the years, and the longest survival was 3 years.
Ultimately, every one I ever had ended up dropping all of its leaves, and the trunk dried out. I have since learned that our previous Bonsai was lost due to some kind of worm that targets Bonsai, and feasts on the interior of the trunk until death. The individual I purchased our new ginseng from gave me this information, and suggested a specialized Bonsai fertilizer to apply once a month to discourage the worm. (Side note- where would this worm come from? Our Bonsai live inside) she also suggested this particular tree as a good beginners tree. I did not buy the fertilizer yet... but I should (?)
We have had the new tree for 3 months. The photo of it inside is where it is usually kept. The others, taken outdoors, was an attempt made earlier today to give ginseng some rays hoping that some sun might cure what ails it.
I know Bonsai like sun, but cannot be in direct sun. One of my previous trees was placed in the sun at one point, and it’s leaves got burnt around the edges.
Because of this, our bonsais have a central location in our home where sunlight never touches them.
I feel it is safe to say that the tree likely does not get what it needs in regards to sunlight, and I am hoping for some suggestions on how to give it enough sun without worrying about the leaves burning.
As you can see from the photos, ginseng is growing one long crazy branch out of its side. None of my previous trees have done this before, and I am curious to know why this is happening, and it if I should prune it off?
About 1 month after bringing it home, this began to shoot out, and has grown considerably since that time. The base of it by the trunk started out “flimsy” but has since become “woody” like a new branch. The woody part ends about 5” out from the trunk, and seems sturdier than all the other branches. The rest of the branch is not woody, and feels more vine-like.
It has very large leaves in comparison to the small leaves on its “normal sized” branches, and the leaves are a vibrant green. The “regular leaves” are of a deeper green hue than on this branch, and this puzzles me as it almost looks like it belongs to a different plant all together.
When the shoot first started to grow, the rest of the tree was healthy. It looked as it did when I brought it home. It has a thick busy of leaves on its top, and the trunk was an even colour all the way down.
Since the new growth began, the rest of the leaves have started to dry and drop. Now the top is very sparse and almost looks like it is going dormant, except for this one exceptional branch. Is the tree feeding all of its nutrients into the new growth? There isn’t much soil in this pot, so I considered this as a possibility, and I plan to report it with some new soil so it has more room for nutrient stores.
The bottom of the trunk has started to change colour from the rest, and I fear that the worm has come back, or that the roots are compromised. I water it throughout, then let it dry and keep it evenly moist before another thorough watering once a month.
Can someone please tell me where I am going wrong? What should I do to give ginseng the life it deserves... how can I give it sun without hurting it... and what about this crazy branch!!!?
Thank you so much, I appreciate any advice and insight. I’m so sad to lose another tree. I love Bonsai.