Help, my bonsai is dying – what can I do?

[basabi]

Hello everyone,

About 1.5 years ago, I received a Ligustrum Sinensis (Chinese Privet) as a gift – it was around 6 years old at the time, so it's now about 7.5 years old. It had always been doing well and growing steadily, but for the past few weeks, I’ve been really worried:

- A large branch with many leaves suddenly died and I needed to cut it (there is a hole now in the tree top)
- Another smaller branch is already dead, and a larger one is currently dying.
- The leaves on the left side are starting to wilt.

I'm at a loss and really desperate. What could be causing this?

What has changed in the past few weeks?
-End of December: I removed a very long, thin branch that had grown from the lower trunk all the way above the tree’s crown to prevent it from wasting too much energy on it.
-Fungus gnat infestation in the apartment: I treated it twice with nematodes (all other plants are fine)
-New soil: I noticed there was very little soil left in the pot. I carefully took the bonsai out, checked the roots (didn’t see any rot, but I’m no expert), and added normal potting soil. While doing this, I found a white coating at the base of the trunk and removed most of it (some can still be seen on the photo)
-Watering: Normally, there is always water in the tray so the bonsai can absorb it. I tried leaving the tray dry for a while, but then the leaves became limp.

Did I do something wrong?
Could it be a fungal infection? Or is the problem something else? I would really appreciate any advice or tips!

 

[penumbra]

If kept inside as I assume, that is what killed it. Also, wrong soil mix.

 

[basabi]

The new soil was only added a week ago, but the bonsai started declining in early January—before that, it was still in the original soil from when I first got it.

It has been indoors for the entire 1.5 years, so why would that suddenly be the cause of its decline now?

 

[rockm]

It a roots died completely. That complete collapse took a year and a half. The root mass looks rotted and dark. That is likely from overwatering and no root growth in bad soil.

Privet is extremely hardy and hard to kill. It lived a year and half in bad soil low light and too much water. It’s not really your fault as most sellers of mass marketed trees like this one don’t provide adequate care instructions and cut corners on soil. Both those handicap first time owners who don’t understand what’s wrong.

 

[basabi]

The tree was growing strongly the whole time, producing new leaves and branches. It never showed any signs of struggle until recently. Could it really have been declining all along despite all that growth?

 

[Wulfskaar]

I read that Chinese privet can be kept indoors, but need a very sunny window and well-draining soil. However, they are kept outdoors from spring to fall. This is the most common mistake that beginners experience.

The soil should also not be potting soil, but bonsai soil, which is granular. The granules soak up water, which the roots "drink" from. The granular nature of the soil also allows air to reach the roots after the water has washed out, which helps keep them from rotting in water.

My guess: Even though your roots were rotting, the tree still probably had enough stored energy to grow those leaves. Once that energy was depleted, it started showing more signs of going downhill.

These guys above have decades of experience and have helped hundreds of people, including me. It can be tough to hear this, but they are right.

 

[basabi]

Thank you for the explanation! I didn’t realize the stored energy could mask the problem for so long. I also wasn’t aware that regular potting soil or keeping him indoor could cause such issues.

Is there anything I can still do to save it, or is it already too late?

 

[Wulfskaar]

Thank you for the explanation! I didn’t realize the stored energy could mask the problem for so long. I also wasn’t aware that regular potting soil or keeping him indoor could cause such issues.

Is there anything I can still do to save it, or is it already too late?

***I'm only 4.5 years into this hobby and still have much to learn, but I have also been reading for those 4.5 years and see these same mistakes over and over again.

One of the experts here will need to answer (and also verify my theory about stored energy).

I would guess (again, I'm not the expert) that repotting into bonsai soil, trimming off dead roots, and placing in the sunniest window of your home might help. Then put it outside once it's warm enough. Maybe it would spring back?

 

[Shibui]

Watering: Normally, there is always water in the tray so the bonsai can absorb it. I tried leaving the tray dry for a while, but then the leaves became limp.

I suspect this is the biggest reason for the decline of your tree. Constantly wet soil causes roots to rot. With fewer roots the tree cannot absorb water and dehydrates = wilted leaves and dying branches even though the soil is still wet.
When the soil dries out the tree looks even worse so we water which may help the leaves look better but kills more roots and the cycle continues.

Tough trees can cope with these problems for months. I guess they are hoping that conditions will improve but their tenacity masks the problem and we don't see the real cause.

Is there anything I can still do to save it, or is it already too late?

It's a privet and still looks OK so there's a good chance it can be saved.
I would bare root the tree to remove all infected soil. Cut back any blackish roots, even if that means cutting almost all roots off. Then trim the long shoots up top. It needs a few leaves to help recover but not so many that are demanding water. I would probably leave about 2 leaves on each shoot.
Water in well but then only water when the soil gets close to dry. Definitely no water sitting in the saucer but water enough to properly wet the soil right through and for some excess water to flow through the soil and out the bottom. This helps draw fresh air into the roots.
Being indoors will not help recovery. No indication of where in the world you live so we can't guess whether this tree can safely go out at this time of year.

 

[basabi]

Thank you so much for the detailed advice! I really appreciate it.

I live in Germany, so unfortunately, I can’t place the bonsai outside at this time of year.

I’ll buy proper bonsai soil now and try adding lava stones for drainage (I’ve watched some YouTube videos on bonsai care for guidance) and will walk through the steps you mentioned when repotting it.

One question: My bonsai has a tray underneath, and I’ve always watered it by filling the tray. A wick/thread hangs from the pot into the tray, allowing the tree to absorb water that way, so I’ve never watered it from above.
When repotting, should I remove the wick/thread and start watering from above instead? I’d really appreciate any tips!

I hope this repotting project will be a success, and that I can still save my bonsai as a beginner

 

[Shibui]

I have heard of wicking to water a potted plant but have not used it so can't offer advice pro or con.
All my bonsai are outdoor and watered from above until the water drains through the pot. May be a little more work for you but definitely helps with air exchange and root health.

 

[MMJNICE]

Would be wondering what the bottom of the pot looks like. Does it have adequate drainage holes to be water from above? In a pot that size you should have two large holes in the bottom of the pot. Most pots that are designed for wicking water don't have good drainage holes. Do you have a friend with an outdoor heated greenhouse that can help with getting the tree back in good health?

 

[basabi]

I put the bonsai out of the container - here you can see it and also the roots
I can still see some white ones so I hope I can still save it!!

Sadly I do not know anyone with a heated greenhouse - I hope the window seat will do..

 

[Shibui]

The white roots are a great sign. The tree is trying desperately to overcome the problems.
Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

 

[JJ6465]

I am not an expert by any means, but I do have a lot of Privets I have collected. I believe it will be fine if you put it in some inorganic soil. I use lava rock, pumice, and akadama with some pine bark shavings, and my trees do great. They have to have sunlight, though. if you don't have a good sunny window, use a grow light until spring, then put it outside. Privets are hard to kill so I think it will make it. Please keep me updated.

 

[jradics]

It a roots died completely. That complete collapse took a year and a half. The root mass looks rotted and dark. That is likely from overwatering and no root growth in bad soil.

Privet is extremely hardy and hard to kill. It lived a year and half in bad soil low light and too much water. It’s not really your fault as most sellers of mass marketed trees like this one don’t provide adequate care instructions and cut corners on soil. Both those handicap first time owners who don’t understand what’s wrong.

i've got wild privet growing in the bed of the creek at my house

 

[Gabler]

i've got wild privet growing in the bed of the creek at my house

I don't think OP is from the United States, let alone anywhere near Atlanta, Georgia, so I'm not sure how he would get the privet from your house. It was a kind offer, though.

 

[BrightsideB]

i've got wild privet growing in the bed of the creek at my house

They love the creeks in the area. I’m in Canton.

 

[jradics]

I don't think OP is from the United States, let alone anywhere near Atlanta, Georgia, so I'm not sure how he would get the privet from your house. It was a kind offer, though.

i was trying to point out that over watering may not be that much of a problem

 

[Gabler]

i was trying to point out that over watering may not be that much of a problem

Ah. Gotcha. Now that I think of it, the invasive privet at my place is growing in poorly drained soil, too. Notwithstanding, I figure there's a limit to the amount of moisture a privet can handle. They don't grow in standing water like bald cypress. It could still be an overwatering problem if the soil is bad enough.