Bonsai treesare potted plants with a unique character. They can decorate a house or apartment for many years, but require specific care. It happens very often thata bonsai tree loses leavesand every day we find more and more of them around the pot. Why is this happening and what to do in this situation? Here are the top 5causes of bonsai leaf fallSee how to fix them and save your beloved plant!
Bonsai tree loses leaves
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1. Bonsai tree loses leaves due to too dry air
Bonsai trees often lose their leaves due to too low air humidity.This problem is especially acute in the autumn and winter season, when the radiators are working. This can be remedied by placing pots of water near the plants, which will evaporate and moisten the air. You can also sprinkle the leaves of the bonsai tree with soft water, left standing at room temperature.
Good to know!
When a bonsai tree loses leaves due to air that is too dry, bonsai growers use a trick. They sprinkle the whole tree and then put it in a plastic bag, taking it off only once a day. This treatment prevents further leaf loss and accelerates plant regeneration.
2. Bonsai tree loses leaves because it's too dark
The place where the bonsai is grown should be well lit all year round, but not in direct sunlight.A drastic change in lighting conditions, e.g. due to the relocation of the tree to another place, causes thatthe bonsai tree begins to shed its leaves massivelyThe solution is to move the plant to a better lit place.
The condition of bonsai trees is positively influenced by exposing them to the balcony in summerThe pot with the plant is best placed in a slightly shaded place to protect it from the harsh sun. During short and cloudy winter days, it may be necessary to add additional lighting to the tree.
3. Bonsai tree loses leaves due to dry soil
Bonsai trees growing in usually shallow and small pots are exposed to a very quick depletion of water resources in the substrate. The symptoms of drying of the substrate are visible very quickly -the leaves of the bonsai tree turn yellow, dry and fall offThe bonsai tree should be watered as soon as the surface of the substrate becomes brighter, and at the latest when it begins to crack slightly and protrude from the edge of the pot.The frequency of watering a bonsai is determined by many factors, such as: ambient temperature, growing position, size of plants and pots. In summer, when temperatures are high, you may need to water your bonsai tree several times a week.
Bonsai tree loses leaves and withers
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The most commonmistake in watering bonsai treesis frequent watering with a small amount of water. As a result, the root system only develops in the upper part of the pot, and the deeper roots die. As a result, the plant can only take up water from the top layer of the substrate, which dries out very quickly. So the tree often suffers from drought.
The most effective method of watering a bonsai treeis to put it and the pot into a vessel filled with standing water at room temperature. When the top layer of the earth is completely dark, the plant can be lifted out of the water.
To save a dry bonsai tree , immerse it and the pot in water for 15 minutes, trim all dry twigs, place them in a slightly shaded place, water regularly and expect new leaves to appear .
4. Bonsai tree loses leaves due to overflow
It often happens thata bonsai tree withers and sheds its leaves despite wateringThis means that it is watered too often and too abundantly. Water that remains in the pot for a long time leads to root rot, which means that they do not absorb water from the substrate.
Symptoms of bonsai tree overfloware visible only after some time and therefore it is often difficult is to save the plant. Therefore, you should never water a bonsai tree routinely, but observe it daily and check the substrate with your fingers.The bonsai tree is watered only when the substrate is dry at a depth of about 2 cm
A spilled bonsai tree must be transplanted to a new substrateregardless of the season.Before planting, all rotten root fragments are cut off and the rest are rinsed with hydrogen peroxide.
To facilitate the plant's quick root regeneration, it is planted in a plastic strainer and a slightly larger substrate. The openings in the container and the loose substrate ensure excellent air circulation near the root ball, which has a positive effect on the reconstruction of the roots.After transplanting, the bonsai tree stands in a slightly shaded area
Bonsai tree loses leaves
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5. A bonsai tree loses leaves because it is attacked by a disease
Anotherthe cause of bonsai leaf loss may be a fungal diseaseBonsai fungal diseases most often develop as a result of excessive watering and cultivation of the plant in an unsuitable substrate.
Development of the disease mushroom is indicated bybrown discoloration on the leaves of the bonsai tree and a moist base of the trunk After noticing the first symptoms of the disease, it is best to replant the plants to a new substrate and then apply a fungicide.
In order not to use harmful chemicals in the apartments, we recommend the biological preparation Polyversum WP. If, on the other hand, we do not have a sprayer and we cannot prepare a spray solution on our own, we can choose the Biosept Active Spray biopreparation, available in a ready-to-use form in a sprayer container. Spray the plant several times every 7-10 days.
The treated bonsai tree is placed in a shaded place , sprinkled frequently with soft water and watered sparingly. As new leaves begin to develop, the plant is watered more and more fertilized.
Recommendedpreparations for spraying bonsai treesand good fertilizers can be ordered in the shop of our guide. To view the offer, press the button below.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
