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Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

  • Pinkham
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Replied by Pinkham on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 8 months ago #1476
If it is in fact a privet it will bounce back after transplanting.It looks like it's stressed...not a soil fungus.Stress is way easier to handle than fungus.
Here is a picture of my privet's leaves. what do you think? Are the similar?
It's not the best picture :)
by Pinkham

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  • malaqias
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Replied by malaqias on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 8 months ago #1484
yeah. i'm going with the privet i think!
the tree is now on a new pot, i didnt cut any of the roots or anything, just moved it to a slightly bigger pot with some new soil.

i'll let you know how the little fellow is doing.
thanks everyone.
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  • Gadget
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Replied by Gadget on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 8 months ago #1487
Hi there, it looks like a Privet to me, are you keeping it indoors or outdoors? Privet likes to be outdoors in full sun or partial shade if the weather is hot and dry. Be careful not to let it dry out completely before watering.
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  • malaqias
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Replied by malaqias on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 8 months ago #1488
I asked at my local nursery and they say its a Privet (ligustrum).
i keep it inside most of the time and place it on the window ledge fro some sun, since i dont have any kind of patio or balcony. its a bit hot but not very dry here.

now i think the problem was the watering. i was allowing the soil to get pretty dry, but now i'm keeping it moist.

Thanks all! :)
Last Edit:12 years 8 months ago by malaqias
Last edit: 12 years 8 months ago by malaqias.

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Replied by Gadget on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 8 months ago #1490
Hi again,

I think the watering will sot it OK as the leaves look pretty healthy otherwise.
Privet is a quick grower and the damaged leaves will be replace naturally soon enough.

Good luck

Gadget.
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  • Leslie
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Replied by Leslie on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 8 months ago #1491
Hi Malaqias,

Here is a great write up on the Privet (ligustrum) bonsai. You're right, they can be kept in doors under specific conditions. Here's the link:
www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ligustrum.html
by Leslie

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  • manofthetrees
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Replied by manofthetrees on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 8 months ago #1504
howdy,

well it is definatly not a ficus retusa the leaves aren't right.it may well still be a ficus... if you pinch off a leaf and white sap comes out its a ficus ( this is actualy what makes latex rubber) it may be you are still watering too much the soil surface may look dry but depending on the soil it may be retaining water longer than you think. my ficus (even the new cuttings) can go a week before i water them and still show no signs of wilting. from the pics the tree does look to have newer growth so i don't think its dieing. best of luck
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  • malaqias
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Replied by malaqias on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 7 months ago #1585
i'm happy to tell you that my little Ligustrum is growing new buds everywhere.
i water it a lot more and i keep it with less direct sun.
i've read a lot of stuff during the past few days (including your link Leslie, Thank you very much!) :D and i'm now thinking of getting a couple of new plants. atleast 1 more bonsai. and probably a nursery juniper to train and shape one day.

Thanks everyone for the help,
malaqias.
by malaqias

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  • Pinkham
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Replied by Pinkham on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 7 months ago #1586
Malaqias,
So glad to hear the privet is doing better!!!Mine went crazy this year. I pruned it 3 times.
I have a juniper that was pretty easy to start training. I've had it only 6 months or so. It's coming along nicely. They are great trees....and forgiving. Just don't over water it.
You can re-pot them in fall if you aren't going to prune the roots.
Pinch off the new growth. cutting it will make the needles close to the wound, turn brown. Put it in the shade for a few days every once in a while to darken the foliage.they like nitrogen rich fertilizer.
You'll be happy you got one....if it's the right one :)
Good luck.
Last Edit:12 years 7 months ago by Pinkham
Last edit: 12 years 7 months ago by Pinkham.

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  • Leslie
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Replied by Leslie on topic Re: Help- Beginner's Bonsai in trouble.

Posted 12 years 7 months ago #1635
That's wonderful new, Malaqias! :cheer: I'm so glad the link was of help to you. Keep up the great work!
by Leslie

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