Hello everyone,

I was given a beatiful Podocarpus bonsai, but unfortunately it's now in a bad shape and I'm desperately trying to save it. I've tried to trim all the dried branches, but it seems to me that the rest of the branches is also getting crispy:(

It has still conditions of around 22 degrees celsius inside and some moderate light (not much of a direct sunlight). Watered whenever the soil is almost dry in around 1cm depth or so. Also using some bonsai fertilizer added to water once every two weeks.

I think I should cut the rest of the dry part of the tree but overall I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thank you!
Lukas

Perhaps share some photos here?

I'm sorry, photos should have been uploaded:/

This is what happens when one try to grow temperate trees in livingroom conditions. Since you don't say where you are I guess nortern hemisphere and it is authum now. That is when central heating kicks in and dry up the indoor air.

The way to make it to spring is to cool it down and and increase humidity. If you live in usda zone 9 or higher, just put it outdoors.

Thank you for explaining! Czech Republic, which I googled is 6b - 8b USDA zone. Should I still put it outside and just check and be cautious of freezing?

Thank you in advance!

I do not think outdoors will work in czechia. What you need to do is to find a place slightly over freezing for winter. Light will not be needed If kept below 5c.

Ah Unfortunately I don't think I can find such a place as I live in a city apartmány:/ Any suggestions or other recommendations maybe?

Thank you!

Read up on species before you get them. If you cannot provide good environment, do not buy them.

Trees have evolved during thousends of years adapting to the climate where they can be found. The hobby of bonsai has evolved in China and Japan during hundreds of years growing locally hardy trees outdoors. So called indoor trees have been sold in western countries the last few decades. It is driven by business. The trees have not adapted to that yet. Will take thousends of years if even posible.

Get yourself locally hardy species and grow them outdoors.

Well yeah, but now it's not much help:/ I'm just trying to save it. I did found an option on a different forum of putting it into a fridge over winter? Is that legit?

lukajamjo wrote:

Well yeah, but now it's not much help:/ I'm just trying to save it. I did found an option on a different forum of putting it into a fridge over winter? Is that legit?

I have heard about that as well, but never from a trustworthy bonsai artist and never seen anyone actually do it.

For decidious trees that live in winter dry areas it may work. The budist pine is evergreen and will proboably need some light during winter. I think also humidity needs to be taken care of.

If you do go that route, please let us know If it worked.

My recomendation would be to move it outdoors, maybe protected from the lowest temperatures in mid winter in a cold frame or under a pile of snow.