Hi All

This is my first bonsai I bought early this fall, and it was looking great.
Recently I notice the leaves from the tallest branch started to turn yellow and dropping.
while the lower part of the bonsai still looks normal.


1. Do I need to worry?

2. Is this something normal that happens in the winter? (tho I read on another blog that Cotoneaster in zone 7 and above will be ever green?)

3. Lately here in SF it's quite cloudy. I don't have much direct sun light on my balcony for couple weeks now.

4. Any thing I can do to improve it's condition?


Many THANKS guys !!!

I may be wrong but it looks like the common cotoneaster so i is diciduous so maye nothing to worry about. I think it is meant to be an outdoor tree. What cuntry are you in as your climate information would help to decide as to whether it is indoor or outdoor.

Difficult to tell, but whatever it is it does not look well. There should be a lot more leaves on it at the moment. How are you watering? When do you water? where are you keeping it? Seems to be lacking in light. Have you checked for infestation? If it a tropical species then it should be in, but if it is a hardy species then it must be out. If it is cotoneaster and I am not convinved it is, then it must be outside.

I use to water every day. but since it's getting colder I check the soil with my finger and I water when it's getting dry.
I do spray it from time to time.

I keep it in door because I have a large window, and usually I got a lot of sun. I take it to my balcony when there's no direct sun light at my window.
However lately it's being getting colder and very cloudy. and both my balcony and window doesn't have direct sunlight anymore.
What should I do?

Do I need to get a light for the tree or something?

Thanks

Note: Im in San Francisco California

Hi m5eaygeoff

Just wanna make things clear.
You are not convinced that this is a cotoneaster? if not what do you think it is?
Because that's what the store told me when I bought it. I would love to know if the lady cheated me about the type of tree she's selling me.

thx

i am quite sure it is a cotoneaster as the bark and trunk looks identical to that of a cotoneaster as well as the leaves. you will definitely have to keep it outside, so your balcony should do, ,maybe it might be down to feeding- have you fed? or have you been feeding to much?

Hi Bob

Thanks for your feedback. I live in San Francisco California.

I read this somewhere "Zone 4-7, depending on the species, with winter protection below freezing. In warmer areas, up to zone seven and eight, cotoneaster will be evergreen"

Im a bit confused. Im in zone 10 so does that make my Cotoneaster an evergreen?

i think so, but i will look into it in a few mins, but i would think it will be evergreen.

Hi Bob

1. I have not been feeding because winter is coming.
Should I feed anyway?

2. There isn't much direct sunlight on my Balcony lately because of the weather.
Is that okay? I do need to buy a light for the tree?

Thanks again

first of all, when did you stop feeding, as that is key, if you have a liquid fertilizer, you should generally stop feeding by the start of november. but if you stopped feeding like 2 months ago, then that may be the culprit.

i wouldnt think you would need a light as this species is very tollerant to partial shade, so your balcony is fine. if kept indoors, it may be very to humid and the tree will die. it is hardy so can/should be kept outdoors.