Bonsai tree struggling again

[Wally5]

Hello, I'm back again with questions regarding this orange sapling. It's lost several leaves over the past few days despite being kept away from the heat, and the 'stems' of extant leaves have been drying out. The tree is watered daily, the drip tray emptied, and the tree is kept in shade and moved inside when the temperature exceeds 95 F. Looking for help!

 

[bonsaichile]

First, dont ever move a tree inside, no matter the temperature. It will only hasten its decline. I keep all my trees in full sun all summer long, and we hit the 100s occasionally here. Second, dont water everyday or on a schedule. Water when the tree needs it. That means assessing every day if the tree needs watering or not. This is particularly important given the trrrible soil you have this guy in. Just stick yiur finger in it and see if it needs water. And third, get rid of the dril tray. Put the pot on a couple of bricks or pieces of wood, so air can circulate and (most importantly) excess water can just run off instead of just pooling there. Best of lucks!

 

[Wally5]

First, dont ever move a tree inside, no matter the temperature. It will only hasten its decline. I keep all my trees in full sun all summer long, and we hit the 100s occasionally here. Second, dont water everyday or on a schedule. Water when the tree needs it. That means assessing every day if the tree needs watering or not. This is particularly important given the trrrible soil you have this guy in. Just stick yiur finger in it and see if it needs water. And third, get rid of the dril tray. Put the pot on a couple of bricks or pieces of wood, so air can circulate and (most importantly) excess water can just run off instead of just pooling there. Best of lucks!

What sort of soil would you reccomend? It's in tropical bonsai soil atm.

 

[bonsaichile]

What sort of soil would you reccomend? It's in tropical bonsai soil atm.

You shouldnt repot right now. Just manage what you have. You have until early spring next year to research soils

 

[Wally5]

You shouldnt repot right now. Just manage what you have. You have until early spring next year to research soils

How would you suggest encouraging the tree to put out new leaves over the summer? I worry that it'll lose what it has and end up dead; I raised it from seed and am slightly attached

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Its a citrus... it wants as much sun and heat as you can give it. Keep it outside in full sun. Move it inside temporarily for winter.

Water when the soil is dry, as stated.

Get it healthy through basic care and new leaves will appear after a period. I have a meyer lemon that does this in winter inside. Its bushy again now after being outside since after frost date.

 

[Wally5]

Alright, thank you both.

 

[Attmos]

Alright, thank you both.

Funny how neither of them gave any soil suggestions, isn't it. lol

 

[rockm]

What sort of soil would you reccomend? It's in tropical bonsai soil atm.

Regular old bonsai soil. Tropical mix probably has too much organic and you’re keeping too wet. Oranges are NOT tropical. They are Mediterranean/subtropical climates species and like well draining soil and sun

 

[JudyB]

If you put a wooden skewer or chopstick into the soil, you can test for when it needs watered easily by looking or feeling for moisture on the stick. Only water when it needs it, ie; when it’s dry or close to.