I bought a Native Red Plum bonsai tree about three weeks ago and now leaves are turning red and yellow and falling off. I've been keeping it indoors (I live in the southern California desert - it's been below freezing at night, 60s+ during the day). Any suggestions as to what I should do to prevent the leaves from falling off?

Do you have any photo's of the tree?

Maling wrote: I bought a Native Red Plum bonsai tree about three weeks ago and now leaves are turning red and yellow and falling off. I've been keeping it indoors (I live in the southern California desert - it's been below freezing at night, 60s+ during the day). Any suggestions as to what I should do to prevent the leaves from falling off?

If it is a native plum, shouldn't it be outdoors? 60+ is pretty hot.

I do have photographs. Thank you for your reply.

Thank you. I'll be keeping it indoors. It gets very hot here during the summer.

I believe AUK was thinking that it was 60°F at night. If it is below freezing at night then you are doing the right thing bringing it in. I am assuming that your heater is running for the house during the night. Red Plum likes some humidity and the leaves could be drying out and dying. If you bring it in and put some kind of tray under it with water. That way as the water evaporates it will bring the humidity up around the plant. When you need to water wait until the top of the soil is dry (rule of thumb). I would also suggest misting the leaves every so often due to your dessert climate.
Overall the plant looks in good health (not great since it is dropping leaves). I want to let you know that even though this was probably sold to you as a bonsai this plant is still too young and untrained to be considered a bonsai. Don't get discouraged because you can grow and train it into a bonsai. Bonsai are suppose to resemble old trees. Trees that have endured the hardship of time. Here is an interesting Red Plum I found online.

Bonsai Bender wrote: I believe AUK was thinking that it was 60°F at night.

C is the standard, so if one writes 60, that's 60C.

Not sure which exact species it is, but if it is a native one, it seems to me it should be outdoors.

Thank you for your help and suggestions. I appreciate both very much. I'll do as you suggest and keep a close eye on it. I'd love to see it bloom.

Let us know how it's doing in a week or two. If you are interested in learning more about bonsai there are several good reads on this site. The How-To is great section for reverence.