Help with parrots beak

[Phillthy]

i recently bought this parrots beak tree online. I live in NY and the tree came from Florida. I was told to keep it indoors and water it. I’ve been watering it every other day. It currently sits under a light bulb too( I added a photo of the specs)
The foliage looks worse and worse each day. Can anyone help identify the problem?

 

[Phillthy]

I also have this bulb. Should I be using this instead. It’s a plant bulb I bought from Home Depot. I didn’t wanna use it cause it gives off a lot of heat and I was scared it might burn the leaves

 

[Anthony]

The Gmelina is not Tropical, and is listed as zone 9A [20 deg.F ]

Also -
http://wigertsbonsai.com/gmelina-philippensis-2/

Tropical is no lower than 55 deg.F
Might need to rest during winter.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Phillthy]

Confused because the article says as bonsai it is treated as tropical but it can also become deciduous in colder weather. The temperature here ranges from 42-24 degrees Fahrenheit. Should I be keeping this tree outside with my maples and elms? Or should I keep it inside until the winter is over?

 

[Anthony]

Why not ask the folk in Florida, where you bought it ?

Do what you can until late spring.
Then take cuttings and test them outdoors, not the mother plant.
Best of growing.
Anthony

 

[Ryan H]

@milehigh_7 dont you grow parrots beak?

If you bought it from new world Bonsai on eBay ask them for help

 

[Ryan H]

I would be more interested to see the soil and hear about your watering methods

 

[Phillthy]

I would be more interested to see the soil and hear about your watering methods

I’ve put a humidifier next to it cause my room gets really at some points during the day. I also water every time the soil feels dry to the touch. The soil is really free draining.

 

[milehigh_7]

@milehigh_7 dont you grow parrots beak?

If you bought it from new world Bonsai on eBay ask them for help

Yep, I do Just a sec lemme read the thread.

 

[milehigh_7]

Confused because the article says as bonsai it is treated as tropical but it can also become deciduous in colder weather. The temperature here ranges from 42-24 degrees Fahrenheit. Should I be keeping this tree outside with my maples and elms? Or should I keep it inside until the winter is over?

Nope, it will die at 24F. Inside under 40F.

 

[milehigh_7]

Alright, first off that's a beautiful tree! I know it does not seem that way right now but they carefree and easy and VERY strong growers. (sometimes a few inches a day.)

Your lighting is just not sufficient for photosynthesis, neither in strength nor wavelength. As many trees do, when light becomes less intense they begin to shut down and go dormant. (It's not always temp guys...) If you want to have indoor trees I would strongly suggest you invest a few $$$ and do it right. I just bought this for $116 free shipping:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/251627100147

Now that one is an 8 bulb, with my other (a 4 bulb) I have grown parrots beak, elms, pomegranates, creosote bush, bougainvillea, ficus, orange jasmine, Texas ebony, and loads more things.

Next you need air movement so a small fan.

Then don't keep wet, but don't allow to go extended periods dry either.

If you do these things I don't think you can miss with your tree. Short of that, I'll pay you shipping and you can send it to me!

 

[Ryan H]

I knew I called the right guy! Thanks @milehigh_7

 

[Phillthy]

Alright, first off that's a beautiful tree! I know it does not seem that way right now but they carefree and easy and VERY strong growers. (sometimes a few inches a day.)

Your lighting is just not sufficient for photosynthesis, neither in strength nor wavelength. As many trees do, when light becomes less intense they begin to shut down and go dormant. (It's not always temp guys...) If you want to have indoor trees I would strongly suggest you invest a few $$$ and do it right. I just bought this for $116 free shipping:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/251627100147

Now that one is an 8 bulb, with my other (a 4 bulb) I have grown parrots beak, elms, pomegranates, creosote bush, bougainvillea, ficus, orange jasmine, Texas ebony, and loads more things.

Next you need air movement so a small fan.

Then don't keep wet, but don't allow to go extended periods dry either.

If you do these things I don't think you can miss with your tree. Short of that, I'll pay you shipping and you can send it to me!

Okay thanks I will upgrade my lighting situation. Is it a bad thing if they go dormant during this time of the year until I bring them outside during the spring? Or do they like to be actively growing all year round?

 

[milehigh_7]

I keep mine growing so I'm not sure.

 

[Anthony]

They rest from Christmas to February.
No new leaves.

Plus one report on line says they live only 50 years.
This one below is abut 30 + years from a 2 inch cutting [ a neighbour's hedge, with permission ]
So in under 20 years we will be crying.

The bark will crack in beautiful chunks by the way.

They make great mame'.
Good Day
Anthony

Defoliated -

 

[milehigh_7]

Update because I’ve treated mine poorly for the past 5 years. I now leave them outside until about 32F. I allow it to go completely deciduous and dormant from about late November and it is waking up as we speak. I might be a little more careful next year as I had just a little die back below 32 a couple of nights.