Brazilian Rain Tree help needed

[janaiya]

A couple of thoughts based on my limited experience with my two BRT's....
One, they seem to be among those species that will drop leaves in response to a change in conditions. Both of mine did, for example, when they were moved from outside into the basement under lights when the nighttime temperatures got down to 50. After a few days of adjustment, everything was green and happy again. If the entire canopy turns yellow or drops leaves, or shows desiccation of the bark on small branches, that's a whole different kettle of fish--usually coming down to overwatering, poor drainage, insufficient nutrients, or some combination thereof.
Second, regarding soil, that's one topic sure to get a host of different opinions--just about everyone has their personal favorite. The over-arching imperative is always drainage, hence the old maxim about watering bonsai twice. By placing your pot in the ground, you are taking on whatever the drainage character of the surrounding soil is. If, for example, that were in my front yard, which is full of red clay, it would be like sealing the drain holes in the bottom of the pot--the water would have no place to go.
My advice, FWIW, is get the pot out of the ground, let it get a little drier, and then see whether it drains clearly when you water it a bit. If it does, you don't have a problem. If it doesn't, the problem is the soil in the pot, and there are numerous ways to address that.
For an interesting perspective on what to grow trees in, check out Harry Harrington's website, bonsai4me.com. For years he has been growing all of his trees--trops, deciduous, and conifers--in untreated cat litter, and swears by it.
PS...it's very helpful if you add your location, or at least your USDA climate zone, to your avatar--makes it much easier for people to respond to your question in the context of where you are trying to grow something, and what weather you might be facing at a given time of year. Best of luck with your new tree.

Really appreciate your input. I am so excited about my BRT and really want to make the right choices. Everyone agrees to take it out of the soil , so that’s going to be done. And I am pretty sure things will be just fine.

Last thing I still need are tools and I would like to stick with the Kaneshin because their website was the only one explaining what each tool is for and how to choose them depending on the Bonsai size. However not sure what scissors are the best for this big BRT. I think I stick for the longer more slender shears to reach better the foliage and small branches. Even so I have arthritis and should stick with the others because they don’t tire you hands. Since I want a Kaneshin shear I order it from them, I think number 35D would be a good one? I also found the Tinyroots 7 pcs set a smart one but not sure about the quality and those 3 shears look small. I tried to google their brand in China/Japan but nothing popped up. I also went to Wigert’s Bonsai website (in Ft Myers) and he is selling a nice set what makes sense. He is a pro and his Bonsai are stunning. What do you guys think? https://wigertsbonsai.com/product/7pc-wigerts-tool-kit/ and he has 3 kaneshin tools in it.

 

[shinmai]

Another area in which there are many impassioned opinions!

Again, for what my opinion is worth: I am a big fan of American Bonsai Supply. I find their quality to be on a par with the one [brutally expensive] tool I have from Masakuni. They are also competitively priced, particularly when ordering sets. I happen to be one of those who swear by stainless, rather than carbon steel as well. They also offer a six-piece set that is build-your-own--you can choose from an assortment of tools for each of the six slots, and each choice is discounted to reflect it being in a set.

Most of what I do is centered on azaleas and rhododendrons, but I have never used the root hook that lays in the bottom of my tool box--a plain old wooden chopstick serves my purposes just fine.
I also have serious problems with arthritis in my hands, and have even had one wrist fused. I actually found that the shears with the shorter blade and big rounded handles were more uncomfortable to use, compared to the longer slender type [occasionally identified as 'refining scissors']. For pruning, I would say that 90% of what I do is accomplished with those scissors and one small concave cutter--but then, I seldom need to cut branches or roots that are very large. I've found that the same bypass pruners I use on my roses will handle most of the heavier stuff.

Finally, when I misplaced my bonsai pliers for a few days, I found that an ordinary pair of needle-nose pliers from the hardware store worked just fine. Oh, and a serrated bread knife that cost two dollars at Goodwill makes a dandy root saw, too.

Best of luck with your tree--from the pictures, it looks like a real gem, and gorgeous at that size. As one of our friends here is known to say, "Welcome to crazy."

 

[janaiya]

But they are stainless steel and I like dropping stuff what I am not supposed to drop. Now question: what material smells in your hand? Carbon or stainless? Or is it another combination? I hate that smell, figure the plants. I don't want to smell it when I work with it. And I don't want to touch it.
I absolutely love your common sense, sounds like me. I don't want to run into spending money like crazy for stuff I won't use. But I also have no time running around places trying to find cheaper solutions. I am really holding myself back since we got the BRT. I will probably make a trip to Ft Myers to check out Wigert's Bonsai place. I have seen some stunning Bonsai there (online), I can literally feel the passion and love and it attracted my interest to check it out. He has some stunning BRT's too and I want to see to buy another small one to start learning on it before I touch our big one.
I really appreciate your advice and sharing your experiences. Its priceless . And yes, I am into crazy now and I am loving it, I am just missing the time to dedicate more to bonsai, its a very relaxing, peaceful and for me an also very emotional way to communicate with these little gem's.
Sorry I did not get back into everything you said, I am on the run all day and back home just exhausted to go to bed and before that busy running with my Lhasa around the block........, but I will come back to it.
I will need good luck with my BRT

 

[janaiya]

Good morning, your sharing of your knowledge is priceless and I am glad to be here on this forum. Its an amazing forum with passionate people. I have been busy working Xmas season and New Year and exhausted. I am 3 days off now (my little mini vaca) and this morning heading out to visit Wigert's bonsai nursery what is a 2.5 hrs ride ( I don't mind because their array of Bonsai is just amazing and they all look just WOW). You know when you get that amazing energy field from those mouth dropping bonsai. I am a super sensitive and can literally feel them.
So Wigert's answered me via email right away and that's just awesome, I can even bring my small dog Anakin. I am saying this because the Tropical Bonsai nursery were we bought the BRT did not answer 3 repeated emails with my questions regarding maintenance and that is just a no no for running a business like that. We spent a LOT for that BRT. I have no time to do calls and I like to read and re-read indications how to do things.
So, I will make tons of pics and probably buying another smaller BRT to learn and to see how it react to the same climate. And I will show them pics of mine and see what they say. Just another opinion

 

[janaiya]

A couple of thoughts based on my limited experience with my two BRT's....
One, they seem to be among those species that will drop leaves in response to a change in conditions. Both of mine did, for example, when they were moved from outside into the basement under lights when the nighttime temperatures got down to 50. After a few days of adjustment, everything was green and happy again. If the entire canopy turns yellow or drops leaves, or shows desiccation of the bark on small branches, that's a whole different kettle of fish--usually coming down to overwatering, poor drainage, insufficient nutrients, or some combination thereof.
Second, regarding soil, that's one topic sure to get a host of different opinions--just about everyone has their personal favorite. The over-arching imperative is always drainage, hence the old maxim about watering bonsai twice. By placing your pot in the ground, you are taking on whatever the drainage character of the surrounding soil is. If, for example, that were in my front yard, which is full of red clay, it would be like sealing the drain holes in the bottom of the pot--the water would have no place to go.
My advice, FWIW, is get the pot out of the ground, let it get a little drier, and then see whether it drains clearly when you water it a bit. If it does, you don't have a problem. If it doesn't, the problem is the soil in the pot, and there are numerous ways to address that.
For an interesting perspective on what to grow trees in, check out Harry Harrington's website, bonsai4me.com. For years he has been growing all of his trees--trops, deciduous, and conifers--in untreated cat litter, and swears by it.
PS...it's very helpful if you add your location, or at least your USDA climate zone, to your avatar--makes it much easier for people to respond to your question in the context of where you are trying to grow something, and what weather you might be facing at a given time of year. Best of luck with your new tree.

I just figured I never replied to this message, so sorry! I updated my profile now so it is easier for everyone.
Your experience with your 2 BRT’s is exactly what I need. And I am glad you shared it with me.
The cat litter idea is genius, whatever works what absorbs and keeps moisture available for roots. Really cool. Later I will check out his website as well.
Today I went to buy another BRT, I am crazy!! It’s a pre bonsai, but a bigger one with a big trunk but way smaller than the other one. I got bonsai soil , pots and tools so I am ready in a few month to repot and change to bonsai soil!
I have seen so many gorgeous bonsai that buying one to get there is so difficult. It took me hours if deciding what I really wanted. I do love those BRT’s, they are really cool

 

[janaiya]

I put my sons BRT out of the soil with its pot and let it sit 48 hrs no watering to see what happens. The pot underneath was humid outside and beneath. Have seen ants (I think they were ants) running out of the hole and some were around the edge of the pot and on the trunk when I pulled it out. I have seen some running up and down the trunk as well. They were really fast and changing directions quite fast. My son sprayed the hole and around the whole spot to get rid of them whatever they are.
Not seeing any particular changes in the tree today 2 days later. But, hey, new buds are coming and I helped a little by taking off the yellow leaves to keep its energy going directly to the new growth. The new buds and leaves appear healthy and nicely green and I believe that if there was anything wrong with the roots the buds would have been yellow or dying/drying up. I wish I could get rid of this pale green yellowish color. What about a lack of nitrogen?
So the tray has been sitting in full sun for at least 6 hrs a day for 2 days and the tray is super hot. I watered this morning as the soil appeared totally dried out on top and 2 inches deep in the soil. The water was running out easy so here should be everything ok.
Here some pics from today:

.
see the difference in the color, new healthy growth and the old yellowish ones what are dying. Somehow Adam is right. BRT grows even in January, meaning defoliating in this instance only helps the tree to point its energy to the new growth.





thats the hole it was in. Since my son insists to put it back and I am tired to discuss,
I am thinking to put stones before inserting the pot and maybe I use the Bonsai mixed soil Eric gave me and use it as well underneath and on its external surroundings.
That way we create humidity and allow maybe better air flow? What you guys think?

And I got myself my own BRT from Eric Wigert . I wanted to see the differences between those 2 BRT's. The color difference is already huge.
This one was standing in full sun in FT Myers and not in shade. Its not yet in Bonsai soil and pot and not trained yet, but has nice layers.
It closed up it leaves since the sun is very hot today, defense instinct! The other BRT did not do the same, why ?? I guess in healing process, I hope so!!
Any tips and opinions are highly appreciated

 

[Carol 83]

Since my son insists to put it back

Why? Nice new tree, I'm hoping to get one from Wigerts come spring.

 

[Clicio]

Mine are looking like the picture below, today; old foliage is dark green, not yellow. But I am in Brazil and it's summer here...

 

[janaiya]

Why? Nice new tree, I'm hoping to get one from Wigerts come spring.

Why? Theft
Even in this location not easy , cameras are everywhere.
Eric has quite some nice BRT there from 25 bucks up . Was not easy to decide.
Carol, what are your thoughts about the bigger BRT and his condition?

 

[janaiya]

Mine are looking like the picture below, today; old foliage is dark green, not yellow. But I am in Brazil and it's summer here...View attachment 222712

Beautiful colors! I am in South Florida and you could say it’s Summer too, maybe not like in Brazil. We have now (Fall/Winter) around 28 Celsius during the day and It gets cooler in the night around 19.
Wish I could get hands on a BRT from Brazil!!

 

[janaiya]

Take it out of the ground. It's not draining freely, so it's not pulling oxygen thru the soil. Soil looks FAR too damp.
Leaves are programmed to close at night, in too much sun or as a result of stress/care routine. Don't water at night!
In your area, I would repot in May, or when low's touch 60's....
Soil? Go back to point of purchase and see if they will sell you what they use.
Fertilizer? Same thing.

A few threads about BRT here. Take some time and read thru them.
Adam's blog is ok, but he defoliates too much, in my opinion. As far as BRT's are concerned, on his blog, they seem anemic and weak-growinat are reflexive leaves?g. Too much energy spent trying to replace foliage instead of replenishing spent reserves. Reflexive leaves expend lots of resources, keep them on to supply nutrients. A strong tree is a workable tree.


Good luck!!

I am coming back to you with a few questions. Your words make common sense. I don't understand what you mean with "Reflexive leaves expend lots of resources, keep them on to supply nutrients" I don't understand reflexive leaves. What are reflexive leaves?
I want a strong tree not a weak tree. As its now I have a weak tree. A tree what changed location, different watering schedules. different water quality, we have hard water here. he still is going through quite some stress. Not only is he losing his foliage as it gets yellow he is replenishing with new foliage because he is not dormant. I can't stop him from doing so. But how can I get this tree to get his strength back?

 

[Carol 83]

Why? Theft
Even in this location not easy , cameras are everywhere.
Eric has quite some nice BRT there from 25 bucks up . Was not easy to decide.
Carol, what are your thoughts about the bigger BRT and his condition?

I guess I don't understand. You want to put the pot back in the ground, so it doesn't get stolen? It needs to be able to drain freely. I think it's a lovely tree, just needs to recover some. I don't mean to answer for @LanceMac10 , but reflexive leaves just mean they open and close.

 

[shinmai]

Putting that tree in that pot into the ground is about as wrong a choice as you could make.
One would only put a bonsai of any kind into the ground either unconfined, or in a pond basket, colander, or something similar that is considerably larger than the root mass. And that is done for the purpose of accelerating trunk growth, more specifically to grow a thicker trunk, faster. From the pictures, that’s not a concern with a big, beautiful tree like you have.
It is, in fact, entirely possible that your tree is pot-bound—that is, the root mass may have grown in the pot to the point where it is congested. This would explain several of the symptoms you describe. One sure test is if you can lift the pot up, and see roots coming through the drainage holes. If that’s the case, take it to Wygert’s and ask them about repotting it. Tropical trees are much less dependent on the whole notion of repotting in spring.
My advice is to not put it in the ground, and to get it out of direct all-day sun into at least partial shade. I would also mist the leaves with a spray bottle. In hot conditions, about 80% of a tree’s water uptake is used to cool the leaves. Pick a spot and then leave it there until it’s stronger. Constantly moving a tree stresses it under any circumstances, but especially so if the tree is weak or unwell for whatever reason.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I agree with all who suggested you take this tree out of the ground. However, if theft is your concern, one alternative is before you put the tree back in the ground, put a double layer (2 stones deep) of those big white stones you have on top of the soil. Put the layer of stones in the bottom of the hole before you rebury the pot (repeat, if it has drainage holes, it is not a tray, it is a pot). If you want to hide the fact that it is in a pot, and easy to move, dig the hole a little deeper so after adding the big stones, the rim of the pot is level with the ground. Then you can spread around big stones to hide the rim of the pot. DO NOT USE A FINE MATERIAL like bonsai soil or dirt to fill in around and under the pot the tree is in, you need the drainage provided by the coarse stones. This way you can hide that the tree is ''easy to lift'' to deter thieves and yet keep it in that flower bed.

Reflexive leaves - this is just a term for leaves that open and close, it is the correct botanical term. So for BRT, because the leaves will open and close day-night or as conditions change, they have what are called reflexive leaves.

Yellow leaves - this is one of the signs of over watering. This was probably your problem

When and how much to water?
Nobody from the internet can tell you when to water. You need to look at the tree in front of you to decide. The best water meter ever invented is the human finger. Dig your finger into the media at least half an inch or a little more. If it feels moist, don't water, if it feels dry, it is time to water. You can not put the trees on a schedule, because weather, temperature, cloudy days, sunny days, wind all change how quickly the pot will dry out. You can get a feeling. There will be a pattern, in hot sunny weather, it might need water daily, in cloudy, humid weather it might need water only once every 3 days. You must stick your finger in the pot daily to check until you get the pattern. In windy, dry weather the surface media may dry and change color, leading you to think the whole pot is dry, but the truth may be that deeper into the pot it might still be too wet. So it is for this reason you need to stick your finger into the pot to determine if it needs water.

How to water?
Bonsai media is granular, at least half is inert mineral like pumice, and does not wick water around. If you dribble water into one corner of the pot, only that corner will get wet, the rest of the pot will stay dry, the moisture will not wick around, capillary action of bonsai mix is very poor, by design. When you water you need to flood the entire surface of the pot (remember, it is not a tray, it is a pot). Let the water drain from the pot, then flood the surface a second time. This will ensure there are no dry spots in the pot.

Hope this helps.
The tone of my post might sound gruff, but I'm just trying to help.

 

[janaiya]

I agree with all who suggested you take this tree out of the ground. However, if theft is your concern, one alternative is before you put the tree back in the ground, put a double layer (2 stones deep) of those big white stones you have on top of the soil. Put the layer of stones in the bottom of the hole before you rebury the pot (repeat, if it has drainage holes, it is not a tray, it is a pot). If you want to hide the fact that it is in a pot, and easy to move, dig the hole a little deeper so after adding the big stones, the rim of the pot is level with the ground. Then you can spread around big stones to hide the rim of the pot. DO NOT USE A FINE MATERIAL like bonsai soil or dirt to fill in around and under the pot the tree is in, you need the drainage provided by the coarse stones. This way you can hide that the tree is ''easy to lift'' to deter thieves and yet keep it in that flower bed.

Reflexive leaves - this is just a term for leaves that open and close, it is the correct botanical term. So for BRT, because the leaves will open and close day-night or as conditions change, they have what are called reflexive leaves.

Yellow leaves - this is one of the signs of over watering. This was probably your problem

When and how much to water?
Nobody from the internet can tell you when to water. You need to look at the tree in front of you to decide. The best water meter ever invented is the human finger. Dig your finger into the media at least half an inch or a little more. If it feels moist, don't water, if it feels dry, it is time to water. You can not put the trees on a schedule, because weather, temperature, cloudy days, sunny days, wind all change how quickly the pot will dry out. You can get a feeling. There will be a pattern, in hot sunny weather, it might need water daily, in cloudy, humid weather it might need water only once every 3 days. You must stick your finger in the pot daily to check until you get the pattern. In windy, dry weather the surface media may dry and change color, leading you to think the whole pot is dry, but the truth may be that deeper into the pot it might still be too wet. So it is for this reason you need to stick your finger into the pot to determine if it needs water.

How to water?
Bonsai media is granular, at least half is inert mineral like pumice, and does not wick water around. If you dribble water into one corner of the pot, only that corner will get wet, the rest of the pot will stay dry, the moisture will not wick around, capillary action of bonsai mix is very poor, by design. When you water you need to flood the entire surface of the pot (remember, it is not a tray, it is a pot). Let the water drain from the pot, then flood the surface a second time. This will ensure there are no dry spots in the pot.

Hope this helps.
The tone of my post might sound gruff, but I'm just trying to help.

Your

Putting that tree in that pot into the ground is about as wrong a choice as you could make.
One would only put a bonsai of any kind into the ground either unconfined, or in a pond basket, colander, or something similar that is considerably larger than the root mass. And that is done for the purpose of accelerating trunk growth, more specifically to grow a thicker trunk, faster. From the pictures, that’s not a concern with a big, beautiful tree like you have.
It is, in fact, entirely possible that your tree is pot-bound—that is, the root mass may have grown in the pot to the point where it is congested. This would explain several of the symptoms you describe. One sure test is if you can lift the pot up, and see roots coming through the drainage holes. If that’s the case, take it to Wygert’s and ask them about repotting it. Tropical trees are much less dependent on the whole notion of repotting in spring.
My advice is to not put it in the ground, and to get it out of direct all-day sun into at least partial shade. I would also mist the leaves with a spray bottle. In hot conditions, about 80% of a tree’s water uptake is used to cool the leaves. Pick a spot and then leave it there until it’s stronger. Constantly moving a tree stresses it under any circumstances, but especially so if the tree is weak or unwell for whatever reason.

It’s quite

Putting that tree in that pot into the ground is about as wrong a choice as you could make.
One would only put a bonsai of any kind into the ground either unconfined, or in a pond basket, colander, or something similar that is considerably larger than the root mass. And that is done for the purpose of accelerating trunk growth, more specifically to grow a thicker trunk, faster. From the pictures, that’s not a concern with a big, beautiful tree like you have.
It is, in fact, entirely possible that your tree is pot-bound—that is, the root mass may have grown in the pot to the point where it is congested. This would explain several of the symptoms you describe. One sure test is if you can lift the pot up, and see roots coming through the drainage holes. If that’s the case, take it to Wygert’s and ask them about repotting it. Tropical trees are much less dependent on the whole notion of repotting in spring.
My advice is to not put it in the ground, and to get it out of direct all-day sun into at least partial shade. I would also mist the leaves with a spray bottle. In hot conditions, about 80% of a tree’s water uptake is used to cool the leaves. Pick a spot and then leave it there until it’s stronger. Constantly moving a tree stresses it under any circumstances, but especially so if the tree is weak or unwell for whatever reason.

I know it’s crazy putting a bonsai with its pot in the soil and I have had quite a few discussions about it with my son. I told him at this point to just put it freely in the soil and let it grow so it gets strong and than we prune it back or decide later what to do. But at the end this was not the purpose to get a bonsai.
I also told him not to water it.
He did either way. What frustration. Poor BRT! I hope he is strong willed and he survives it!
I told my son to use his finger every time to feel the soil before watering, he got it now.
Today I also figured out that the BRT won’t have the sun all day . We just moved here and we are in Fall/Winter Season. So he gets morning and mid day sun until 2 pm, what is better than all day. And it will get less sun the more we get to Spring and Summer since the sun moves. Right now the sun is still very strong during the mid day. Figure in the summer. So the location is actually better for him than I thought. Last morning I tried to peak under his soil but he is wired to the pot. I did not wanted to pull it off the wire, because how would I have get it back to it’s position? I will have to do it when I am not working so I have time enough in case I am finding bad news underneath.

Meanwhile I decided to put my smaller BRT in the backyard where it gets slightly mix of sun and shade but also lots of daylight and some evening sun. I am still waiting for his stress reaction since it was relocated as well. It’s going to be easier with this one since I can pull it out of his nursery pot and check his dry/wetness. I haven’t even watered it yet since the lower part is still humid. I only sprayed the leaves several times. And that’s since Saturday night. Pretty sure he is ready for water Wednesday morning. That would be already 4 nights without watering and he is in a plastic pot. Our nights here are also getting more humid as I see the lawn wet at 11pm and in the morning, so that's good for the BRT as well.

I am very grateful for everyone’s opinions and expertise and I want to thank you all very much. I appreciate straight forward responses and don't have a problem with it , I do just the same but of course I never intend to offend anybody. I am glad for so many replies and assistance in my new adventure, I love it and hope with time I (we) learn to make the right decisions and all that with this forums members help!!

 

[janaiya]

I guess I don't understand. You want to put the pot back in the ground, so it doesn't get stolen? It needs to be able to drain freely. I think it's a lovely tree, just needs to recover some. I don't mean to answer for @LanceMac10 , but reflexive leaves just mean they open and close.

I fully understand your point but I also understand my son since this Brt was not cheap. And he is in the learning process through me, so I am pretty sure we will make this a very strong and beautiful Brt bonsai. But we have to go through mistakes in order to learn lessons in life. Important we don't lose this beauty

 

[Carol 83]

I fully understand your point but I also understand my son since this Brt was not cheap. And he is in the learning process through me, so I am pretty sure we will make this a very strong and beautiful Brt bonsai. But we have to go through mistakes in order to learn lessons in life. Important we don't lose this beauty

They are both awesome trees, I would be quite happy to have either of them. Best of luck to you and your son!

 

[janaiya]

I agree with all who suggested you take this tree out of the ground. However, if theft is your concern, one alternative is before you put the tree back in the ground, put a double layer (2 stones deep) of those big white stones you have on top of the soil. Put the layer of stones in the bottom of the hole before you rebury the pot (repeat, if it has drainage holes, it is not a tray, it is a pot). If you want to hide the fact that it is in a pot, and easy to move, dig the hole a little deeper so after adding the big stones, the rim of the pot is level with the ground. Then you can spread around big stones to hide the rim of the pot. DO NOT USE A FINE MATERIAL like bonsai soil or dirt to fill in around and under the pot the tree is in, you need the drainage provided by the coarse stones. This way you can hide that the tree is ''easy to lift'' to deter thieves and yet keep it in that flower bed.

Reflexive leaves - this is just a term for leaves that open and close, it is the correct botanical term. So for BRT, because the leaves will open and close day-night or as conditions change, they have what are called reflexive leaves.

Yellow leaves - this is one of the signs of over watering. This was probably your problem

When and how much to water?
Nobody from the internet can tell you when to water. You need to look at the tree in front of you to decide. The best water meter ever invented is the human finger. Dig your finger into the media at least half an inch or a little more. If it feels moist, don't water, if it feels dry, it is time to water. You can not put the trees on a schedule, because weather, temperature, cloudy days, sunny days, wind all change how quickly the pot will dry out. You can get a feeling. There will be a pattern, in hot sunny weather, it might need water daily, in cloudy, humid weather it might need water only once every 3 days. You must stick your finger in the pot daily to check until you get the pattern. In windy, dry weather the surface media may dry and change color, leading you to think the whole pot is dry, but the truth may be that deeper into the pot it might still be too wet. So it is for this reason you need to stick your finger into the pot to determine if it needs water.

How to water?
Bonsai media is granular, at least half is inert mineral like pumice, and does not wick water around. If you dribble water into one corner of the pot, only that corner will get wet, the rest of the pot will stay dry, the moisture will not wick around, capillary action of bonsai mix is very poor, by design. When you water you need to flood the entire surface of the pot (remember, it is not a tray, it is a pot). Let the water drain from the pot, then flood the surface a second time. This will ensure there are no dry spots in the pot.

Hope this helps.
The tone of my post might sound gruff, but I'm just trying to help.

Hi Leo. Trust me I am happy for every input I can get. I think this is a good idea how to built some air around the pot when inside the soil, it really could work and only time will tell. I will do this as soon as my next off day comes. This way it can drain freely and it might create also the humidity it needs.

Now regarding the soil he is not in a that kind of granular of bonsai soil at least it does not look like on the top. The soil is pretty firm with some kind of granular mixed in or maybe only on the top soil. Maybe you can check the few pictures from the soil I think on 1st page. But I can't really tell, for me it seems like a mix of soil and some granular stuff., but I am not an expert so I don't want to say something wrong here.
However at the right time I will start to change the soil to the granular one unless there is a better choice for this big bonsai. I attached pics from the 2 different soils I have sitting in the garage and you might be able to tell me what is best. I hope until than I will have learned how to do the repot.

I have no idea how my son waters it. But he is not flooding him with water that's for sure. He bought a meter to measure the moisture and it showed to be all dry so he watered him again, and it shows moist now. In the meantime since yesterday lots of yellow leaves have developed and some turned brown and are totally dried out and fall when touched. If it was really over watered they should not be dried and crispy in my hands, right? (or maybe the sun did that, how confusing) However I anticipated to see lots of yellow leaves since I saw a yellow ring at the edge of most of the leaves since a couple of days ago. Of course pulling it out obviously could have had an effect on that as well.
We will see how it goes, since new green buds are growing I am not further concerned but if those buds turn out to get yellow or dry out than we have a bigger problem. But please remember we are in South Florida and the sun even now is burning on my skin figure on the little leaves. So we actually could have an over watering with the sun than drying those leaves to dry out.

Please be assured that I don't have a problem with your way to communicate, I actually like it as it is very straight forward and nothing confusing about it. Thank you for your introduction and details. It is very very helpful.


This is the coarse Bonsai soil that they gave me for my small BRT I got on Saturday. Thats the soil I want to repot the big BRT when the right time comes.



That's the Bonsai soil the Tropical Bonsai Miami gave my son for the big BRT and I believe thats the soil what he has at this moment. I did not reveive any indication when he had his last repot. And I don't think that it happened less than a year.





This is the small Brt I bought at Wigert's in FT Myers. Not yet in bonsai soil nor bonsai pot. I got it last Saturday. The soil all the way down is still moist, but only there. Haven't watered it yet but sits mostly in shade atm.





And this is the big BRT as I am writing, taken with flashlight . looks dry. Scary , hurts looking at him, I feel so bad


this without flashlight, pretty sure its going to lose most of his foliage

 

[shinmai]

I can offer one simple suggestion regarding proper watering. I wish I could take credit for it, but the idea belongs to one of my teachers.
Take a bamboo skewer, the kind you would use to make kebabs on the grill. Stick it in the soil. Push it down until the tip is close to the bottom of the pot.
When you pull it out, if the end is wet, you don’t need to water. If it’s just damp you should water the next morning. If it’s bone dry, you should have watered yesterday, so don’t waste any time and water right now.

 

[janaiya]

that's really cool, I will definitely try it out, Thanks shinmai