Unhappy bonsai - Help needed to identify type

[ColdButComfyWinterBreeze]

Hello bonsai nuts,

I am very new to bonsai, I don't know how to properly take care of one yet and you will probably notice that reading through this post. I was given this bonsai tree sometime around November of 2024. It was in great health, as you can see by the first picture. The guy who gave it to me told me to water it often and keep it indoors. So for most of the time I've had it, I've kept it indoors(Yes, I know now I shouldn't have done that) and watered it regularly, at least 5 to 6 times a week. For a while it looked healthy and grew flowers, but I have since moved to a new place.




My mother, while visiting, accidentally knocked it over and shattered the pot on the ground. I very quickly found a new pot at the store and reused it's substrate, but couldn't gather enough of the brown substrate to cover the top. I couldn't find the same substrate anywhere, so had to go with sphagnum moss instead. If you could tell me what substrate that is in the first picture, that'd be very helpful. I shredded a very small amount of the sphagnum moss and mixed it into the substrate as well as putting a thin layer on top as recommended by some other sources.



It now looks like this. It hurts me so much to see it in this state and I haven't treated this tree with the respect it deserves. I still water it regularly, I keep it outdoors now, but it snows in December through February, so I have to keep it indoors for a few months. It has some new leaves growing and 2 somewhat healthy branches with green leaves, but hasn't bloomed new flowers since last year. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated and applied to the best of my ability. If you can tell me what specie of tree it is, that'd be great. I tried using google lens by taking pictures of the leaves, but wasn't satisfied with the answers. I'm looking forward to making this plant look beautiful like it was last year.

Thank you

 

[LeftHandLuke]

Shame about the pot. Don't beat yourself up too much (or your mom! ). Cascades like yours are always awkward and difficult to watch 24-7. It's a miracle when they don't fall over or get knocked over!

I hope someone can help identify the species. I cannot. Depending on your location, you'll want to get the tree outside for the best chance of recovery. Those who identify the type of tree (and if you let us know your general location) will be able to advise on where to place it (full sun, partial sun, etc.) and whether the sphagnum is a good idea for recovery or if you need different substrate right away. Good luck!

 

[KateM]

It looks like Lavender star - Grewia occidentalis.
It's definitely should be taken indoors when temps are getting close to 50F and below.
It should be happy outside in summer. It does not like to dry out completely.
If you say it is growing new leaves just continue your care as you did before. It's probably still recovering after the fall and repot.

 

[ColdButComfyWinterBreeze]

Shame about the pot. Don't beat yourself up too much (or your mom! ). Cascades like yours are always awkward and difficult to watch 24-7. It's a miracle when they don't fall over or get knocked over!

I hope someone can help identify the species. I cannot. Depending on your location, you'll want to get the tree outside for the best chance of recovery. Those who identify the type of tree (and if you let us know your general location) will be able to advise on where to place it (full sun, partial sun, etc.) and whether the sphagnum is a good idea for recovery or if you need different substrate right away. Good luck!

Thankful for your reply, another question I'd have is when should I remove the metal wire. The roots are still wired. I'm considering getting a shorter, wider pot to let the roots spread on the sides, with more holes for better drainage/aeration. I am located on the Eastern side of Canada. Very hot during the summer(20 to 30 degree C) and very cold during winter(0 to -30 degree C).

 

[ColdButComfyWinterBreeze]

It looks like Lavender star - Grewia occidentalis.
It's definitely should be taken indoors when temps are getting close to 50F and below.
It should be happy outside in summer. It does not like to dry out completely.
If you say it is growing new leaves just continue your care as you did before. It's probably still recovering after the fall and repot.

Hi, thanks for the reply, you are right on the money. I've looked at some pictures and the flowers look exactly on what my tree once had. Much appreciated, friend.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Is there any way for you to contact the person you got it from to ask when they recommend taking the wire off? Or at the very least, maybe they can tell you how long it's been on that way someone here familiar with the species can point you in the right direction.

If it's a lavender star, from what I gather at a quick search, they're fast-growing species. Maybe a month from the date of wiring? I'd watch for wire bite, too. If you feel the wire is too snug, or see the tree swelling around the wire, take it off ASAP.

 

[ColdButComfyWinterBreeze]

Is there any way for you to contact the person you got it from to ask when they recommend taking the wire off? Or at the very least, maybe they can tell you how long it's been on that way someone here familiar with the species can point you in the right direction.

If it's a lavender star, from what I gather at a quick search, they're fast-growing species. Maybe a month from the date of wiring? I'd watch for wire bite, too. If you feel the wire is too snug, or see the tree swelling around the wire, take it off ASAP.

Thanks for replying,

I am fairly certain now it is a Lavender star. As you can see by the pictures I found of my tree. I unfortunately lost contact with the person. I'm unfamiliar with what wire biting is. I assume it's the tree growing tightly around the wire. I see no such thing on my tree, so that's good? If you think the wire around the tree is not bothering it, I'll leave it, but I might eventually have to remove the ones around the roots.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Right. And wire bite can leave some nasty scarring and permanent deformation.

You can always slowly unwind it to see if it's staying in place. If not, then simply reapply the wire.

If you've had it since late 2024 (sorry I just scrolled up to reread and saw that), it was probably due to come off...at least I would think.

Beautiful flowers on that, by the way.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

The first question is why and to what extent are the roots wired? Second question how long has the trunk been wired? If it was like that when you got it then you can likely remove the wire as the tree should be set in position. Also you definitely want to remove the wire before it starts to bite into the bark as this can create wire marks that may last years. Finally, read, read, read and watch YouTube videos.

 

[ColdButComfyWinterBreeze]

The first question is why and to what extent are the roots wired? Second question how long has the trunk been wired? If it was like that when you got it then you can likely remove the wire as the tree should be set in position. Also you definitely want to remove the wire before it starts to bite into the bark as this can create wire marks that may last years. Finally, read, read, read and watch YouTube videos.

Thanks for the reply, I could not tell you why the roots are wired, but I can tell you they're bundled up in a tight ball. I'm sure that's not helpful for getting aeration in the roots and hindering the recovery. I've noted the thing about the wire. I was initially only going to remove the root wires, but I'll remove it altogether. Thank you, and yes, my favorite watch right now is Notion Bonsai. Now, that I know the specie, I can pinpoint what my tree needs.