Help caring for my new bonsai

[Ilovetrees123]

Hello everyone, I was recently gifted a bonsai two months ago and I’ve been struggling to take care of it. I’m not sure what type of tree it is, and the leaves have been falling out very quickly. I’ve tried different watering intervals and nothing has been seeming to help. A family member suggested I move it away from my window as they thought that was the issue, but I don’t think they’re right. Attached is a photo I took this morning of the tree, if anyone could help point me in the right direction I’d be greatly appreciative. Thank you again

 

[rockm]

This is a jade plant or elephant bush (Crassula or portulacaria). It requires a lot of light (a problem anywhere indoors) and easy on the watering. It should dry out between waterings.

It’s stressed most likely from overwatering and/or not enough light. It’s should be outside in the sun this time of year (spring and summer). Bonsai struggle when kept indoors. Most die, particularly their owners are new to bonsai

Care guide for the Jade Bonsai (Crassula, Portulacaria) - Bonsai Empire

Jade Bonsai Care guidelines Placement The Jade is considered an indoor tree in most temperate zones, although it can be grown outdoors in full sun and high temp...

www.bonsaiempire.com

 

[Ilovetrees123]

This is a jade plant or elephant bush (Crassula or portulacaria). It requires a lot of light (a problem anywhere indoors) and easy on the watering. It should dry out between waterings.

It’s stressed most likely from overwatering and/or not enough light. It’s should be outside in the sun this time of year (spring and summer). Bonsai struggle when kept indoors. Most die, particularly their owners are new to bonsai

Care guide for the Jade Bonsai (Crassula, Portulacaria) - Bonsai Empire

Jade Bonsai Care guidelines Placement The Jade is considered an indoor tree in most temperate zones, although it can be grown outdoors in full sun and high temp...

www.bonsaiempire.com

Ahh, I live in an apartment and have no way to keep it outdoors. Is it destined to fail if I can’t have it fully outside?

 

[rockm]

Ahh, I live in an apartment and have no way to keep it outdoors. Is it destined to fail if I can’t have it fully outside?

Not really. It will live inside with proper care. I suspect you’re overwatering which rots the roots and causes leaf drop

This species is close to being a cactus (succulent) and stores a lot of water in its leaves. It does not require watering until the soil is dry at least an inch h down into the soil. It will also require as Much light as you can give it. Consider supplemental plant lights…

Your priority is to learn how to water you tree. This is probably the hardest thing to learn in bonsai. Watering should be done web the TREE needs it not when it’s convenient for you. Watering on a set schedule is a death sentence. Check the plant every other day to see if it requires water. If it doesn’t don’t

 

[penumbra]

I'll add. get a GOOD plant light. You can't rely on window light. This is Portulacaria, a native to sunny South Africa.

 

[Ilovetrees123]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate it! I think I’m going to get rid of the gravel to make it easier to check the moisture level. When I water it should I do it so that water is coming out to the tray at the bottom?

 

[Carol 83]

I think I’m going to get rid of the gravel to make it easier to check the moisture level. When I water it should I do it so that water is coming out to the tray at the bottom?

Is the "gravel" glued on? If so, yes take it off. If the tray is separate from the pot, ditch it. The last thing a jade needs is to be sitting in water.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I water my portulacaria when the leaves show some shrinkage. I watered them only 4 or 5 times all winter inside. They were in a moderately retentive soil substrate.

 

[afranut]

I'll add. get a GOOD plant light. You can't rely on window light. This is Portulacaria, a native to sunny South Africa.

-This. Lots of light. Look for a light that generates decent ppfd. I've got mine under 500-1000ppfd for 15 hours a day. They seem to like it.
-Make sure the soil is well draining and dump your drip trays after watering. Better yet, just soak them in the sink and let them drain there.
-For watering, you can watch the leaves for wrinkles or use the taco test (try to fold a leaf like a taco, the easier it folds the closer it is to needing water). When in doubt, let them dry out.

 

[Ilovetrees123]

The gravel isn’t glued on, but it’s just a nuisance to sift through when it checking the moisture level. Regarding the tray I stop watering when I see it start to drip down. I don’t let there be enough water for it to reach the actual pot. Are there any decently small tabletop grow lights I could purchase for it?

 

[Attmos]

The gravel isn’t glued on, but it’s just a nuisance to sift through when it checking the moisture level. Regarding the tray I stop watering when I see it start to drip down. I don’t let there be enough water for it to reach the actual pot. Are there any decently small tabletop grow lights I could purchase for it?

Ooh Ooh.... I get to help. (I'm fairly new too, lol)

If you can find a wooden chopstick, stick it down into the soil to the bottom. When you need to check the moisture content of the soil, pull the chopstick out and look to see if it's wet. Once you've checked, you can stick it right back into the same hole.

No more need to mess with the gravel, or whatever material you choose to use in the future.

And yes, you can find plenty of decent tabletop plant lights.

 

[penumbra]

All the advice is good for culture indoors. But my large one, when kept outdoors, is watered almost daily. It is in a very freeing draining mix. It is about 14 years old now.

 

[Charlo]

I definitely do not wait till mine are stressed as demonstrated by the leaves starting to or shriveling. I water mine more often, and they are beautiful full plants with plump leaves.