My first Bonsai is ill

[Shaggygirl]

Hello everyone

It's nice to be here with you. I am looking for a little advice.

I was given a Bonsai for my 40th Birthday, a lovely Japanese Maple. I now own two of them. However I think my maple is ill and the other one looks to be starting down the same path. i suspect I may have overwatered them but am looking for some guidance as to not only what might be the problem but what I can do to help them.

I've attached a couple of pics to give you an idea but the leaves are turning brown as is the moss. I know they shed their leaves in winter but these are not the red and gold of autumn change, they've gone brown and whithered.

I keep them on a window in the kitchen with my african violets. There is an awning outside so they dont get a lot of direct sun. Would they be better on my balcony outside (also covered with an awning).

I plan to go and do a course on proper care but I am very concerned about them now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'd hate to lose them.

Shaggy

[Amanda]

Happy 40th Welcome to AusBonsai.

They really should be outdoors, where they can receive the elements and air can circulate.

Somebody with more experience will come along soon to help you out. In the meantime have a search through the deciduous, and the care and maintenance forums

[Grant Bowie]

They look healthy enough but Will Never color up inside so out they go all year round with just a bit of protection in the extreme of summer heat(not inside).

Grant

[Dumper]

Hi there

are your bonsai place indoors or outdoor?
Japanese maple needs to be kept outdoor cause they need the cool winter.
reduce your watering cause they dont need as much at this time of the year. keep them on the balcony be sure they can get sunlight...morning sun light if possible.

at the moment... just cut off the dry leaves.

moss will not survive indoors too...

by the way. the pebbles on it.... are they glued? or are they loose... if they are glued together, break them apart and loosen them.

[Shaggygirl]

Hello again

Thanks so much for the great replies. The "little trees" (as my niece calls them) are now happily situated outside on my balcony. I hope they'll be happy there. They are protected by the awning but still get enough sunlight - well they will when it stops raining. It could be my imagination but they do seem to look better already after a day or so. Of course that might also be due to me removing the dead leaves.

Btw - yes the stones are loose so that's good.

Thanks again for the advice. Think i'll stick around and see what else I can learn as I really want to take good care of them.

Shaggy

[Grant Bowie]

Hello again

Thanks so much for the great replies. The "little trees" (as my niece calls them) are now happily situated outside on my balcony. I hope they'll be happy there. They are protected by the awning but still get enough sunlight - well they will when it stops raining. It could be my imagination but they do seem to look better already after a day or so. Of course that might also be due to me removing the dead leaves.

Btw - yes the stones are loose so that's good.

Thanks again for the advice. Think i'll stick around and see what else I can learn as I really want to take good care of them.

Shaggy

Outside they may look better instantly because the dust gets blown or watered off the leaves. Depending where you live in Sydney you may get color or not, and mildews on leaf or not.

Colder and dryer better than hotter and humid.

Grant

[Shaggygirl]

So what do you recommend for the summer then? Last summer was extremely humid, is there something that I should do in the event we have another summer like that? I may have to send them south to my parents house for the summer.

[Dumper]

summer i would recommend giving more water. twice a day maybe 3 depending

to prevent the foliage to get burnt. water the foliage before 10am. that will cool down the tree... try not to water when the sun is strong. it will burn the foliage.

[john tapner]

Hi Shaggy,

I have a trident maple that I have had since 1988. I would like it to colour up in autumn but each year I am disappointed. Our temperatures are just too mild in Sydney and maples require much colder temps. However, your maples look OK to me, just getting ready for a winter sleep. Place your maples where they will get rain, some sun and plenty of air. This time of the year and especially with the rain we are getting, watering is not required. If the weather improves watering a little every 4 or 5 days is quite sufficient during dormancy. Get ready to repot in fresh bonsai soil with a little added blood and bone in late July or early August. If you are a bit dubious about this contact one of the bonsai clubs in the Sydney region for practical advise and the nice people there will only be too glad to help. (Remember we all started off in the same way as you).
If it is any help, post your suburb and someone will point you in the right direction. The club to which I belong meets at West Pymble

Cheers

John T

[astroboy76]

hi shaggy,

i have a few Japanese maples and some tridents. i live in sydney and mine colour up really well. It appears its just teh new growth that is going funny on your trees. this can be due to the natural cycle of deciduous trees. if new shoots havent hardened off they can die back. I would definately place your trees out side and just bring them as displays for no more than a few days at a time. Outside, place them in a semi shaded spot during summer. once the weather starts to cool (usually around arpil/may) i place mine out in full sun. they are usually nice autumn colours by now.

[Shaggygirl]

Thanks everyone all the advice has been great. They are outside and now it's cooler I'll move them to a spot on the balcony that gets slightly more sun. I keep my awning down most of the time as the cat hangs out there and it always gives her a sheltered spot to go. (Dont worry, i'll keep them away from the cat too she might have a nibble like she did on my cactus - no idea why she would do that).

Anyway, I'm definitely going to go and get some professional guidance. One thing I've definitely learned, you can't just buy something so specialise from a random stall and expect to just take it home and not worry about it. I love these two Bonsai, one in particular has fabulous roots so i'm determined to look after them properly.

My long term goal is to grow a bonsai from a cutting of my mother's beloved wisteria. Long term. Like when I have a clue what I am doing.

Thanks again everyone. i'll keep you posted.

Shaggy

PS. Oh and I am North Sydney if anyone has any recommendations on professionals in the area. I found some south of here that seemed ok that conduct courses but recommendations are always better.