AusBonsai

Hi,
I repotted my tree to a growing pot a week ago.
How do I know that everything is ok and that its not dying?
I want it to grow , should I water it more? I'm afraid of over-watering it , Winter is coming (I live in israel) , can I live it outside even when it rains? (the temperature is going to be around 10 C I guess - if that matters)
Should I fertilize it now or should I wait another few weeks? (I read somewhere that you shouldn't fertilize for about a month)

Oh, I defoliated two branches about 3 weeks ago , nothing has grown but I pass the scratch test -It's some kind of a Melaleuca- what am I doing wrong?

Hi David of israel,
Could you post a picture and tell us what you have done.

Mick

Hi David
Patience is required
When I repot a tree, I do not expect it to anything for 4 - 8 weeks after depending on species
Defoliating is the same as it will take a geed few weeks on a fast growing tree to reshoot. Mels can be 4 - 6 weeks to show growth

All trees should be out side all the time unless you live where it gets well below zero and freezes hard.
Water the tree when it needs it and the soil is starting to dry out. Do not keep wet else root rot might be the result

Ken

Hi David
I find with mels that they tend to sulk a little after repotting. Sometimes if you have done too much root work they will drop all their leaves and take a couple of months to bud back. Usually you don't need to defoliate mels - just give it a good haircut but always leave a few leaves on a branch. If you take all the foliage off a branch it can die. Free draining mix is always good - it's hard to overwater if you have a mix that drains well. As mentioned a photo would help.


Tony

I have the tree for about a month, the seller claimed that its around 3 years old - and he has done most of the wiring.

also, advice on choosing a style for this tree can be helpful.

no option for editing?
I wanted to add that the tree is just a little bit over 50 cm.
Should I open another topic in the right forum section for styling advice?

Hi David
Up to 30 minutes after posting you can edit. It could be a linariifolia - bit hard to tell from the pictures. I would grow it on a bit first and try to get some foliage back towards the trunk before worrying about styling. Cut it back leaving some leaves and it should bud back but some mels are a bit reluctant to do this. Without some more foliage it is hard to see it as any kind of bonsai.

Tony