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How to revive my bonsai

  • Steve1983
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How to revive my bonsai was created by Steve1983

Posted 5 years 11 months ago #54740
Hi, I'm a new bonsai owner and new on Bonsai Empire.
I believe my Bonsai is a Japanese elm - Zelkova─ although I may very well be wrong on that.
It is constantly losing all its leafs (every month) and then new buds appear but there is not many reappearing anymore.

I fed it in the summer but I haven't done in the last few months as I read it should only be fed in the growing season. I have also not been pruning it.
I would really appreciate some advice on how to revive it? I assume it shouldn't be regularly losing its leaves like this.

Much appreciated, Steve
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  • Fonz
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Replied by Fonz on topic How to revive my bonsai

Posted 5 years 11 months ago #54741
Your tree is a Chinese Elm, not a Zelkova. You are probably keeping it indoors which isn't good for any tree. Try to move it outside although if the temperatures are too low in your part of the world at the moment the shock might be too big. Try an unheated shed or garage. The soil it's in also isn't helping. If you want it to live you might want to repot it to a little bigger container filled with real bonsai substrate. But again, the season for repotting isn't now in the Northern part of the world.

Don't fertilize until the tree is healthy again.
Last Edit:5 years 11 months ago by Fonz
Last edit: 5 years 11 months ago by Fonz.
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  • Steve1983
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Replied by Steve1983 on topic How to revive my bonsai

Posted 5 years 11 months ago #54772
Many thanks for the response. I hadn't thought about keeping it outside, temps at the moment range between zero and 8 degrees so I will put it in our unheated outhouse.
It is in real bonsai soil but once it is revived in the spring I will re pot it in a bigger container.
Fingers crossed I can bring it back.
by Steve1983

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