Vacation Woes
- Thread starter Bonsai Bonanza
- Start date
Bonsai Bonanza
Seedling
Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
Looks like under-watered. Put them outside in full sun and water them every day. Don't give up, but don't bet the farm, either. If you see new buds but the old leaves don't look like they will return to normal, or some part of normal, cut the old leaves off with a scissors at the base of the leaf and leave the dry petiole (leaf stem) in place. It will drop off if the bud in the axil inflates. Give this process 6 weeks and do not let them suffer from drought.
Potawatomi13
Imperial Masterpiece
Looks like time to execute person "caring" for personal trees. Careful watering, spraying with H2O a couple times daily, sunshine and crossed fingers are personal best suggestions. Don't give up.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Most of us have had similar experience with trusted helpers looking after bonsai. Unfortunately very few people understand the sentimental value of our trees. Even seasoned gardeners don't understand that every day means EVERY day unless they ahve had bonsai experience.
I agree with @Forsoothe! this time. Many trees have the ability to stop water to leaves in order to preserve life in the trunk in the hope that water and better conditions will return. Soak all pots as soon as possible to properly re wet the soil then cross fingers and continue care to see if there is still life in any of these. Sometimes they bud up in a few weeks but some may wait weeks or even months before venturing new shoots.
You have now learned a couple of important bonsai lessons.
Good luck
I agree with @Forsoothe! this time. Many trees have the ability to stop water to leaves in order to preserve life in the trunk in the hope that water and better conditions will return. Soak all pots as soon as possible to properly re wet the soil then cross fingers and continue care to see if there is still life in any of these. Sometimes they bud up in a few weeks but some may wait weeks or even months before venturing new shoots.
You have now learned a couple of important bonsai lessons.
Good luck
Beanwagon
Chumono
I had my favourite juniper die under the same circumstances
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
This is clear, concise information and exactly what you should do.
BTW, this odd word vacation, what does it mean?
leatherback
The Treedeemer
It is this period in which you contiously take the risk of loosing all your trees in order to go somewhere that is not home, pay a lot of money to other people to take care of you.
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Is this construed by some people as fun?
leatherback
The Treedeemer
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Gross! Looks like a potentially nice space littered with .............litter.
Bonsai Bonanza
Seedling
One of my Junipers DID die while I gone, totally brown
Joe Dupre'
Omono
A 90 year old member of our bonsai club told me the only person you MAY be able to trust to water your trees is your twin who has been into bonsai with you since you both were kids.
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
I think the hard part to explain to “helpers” is that you have to soak the plants thoroughly- not just spray em down with the hose till they look wet.
I Just lost a couple trees myself while on a week long Vay-cay!
I Just lost a couple trees myself while on a week long Vay-cay!
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Every day
Yes, also when you had rain
Yes, everything has to be wet, not just a little around the trunk. In fact, the outside is more important thant the trunk.
Yes, every day
Yes, DRENCH it. Dripping wet, running out of the pot.
Yes, even when it has rained
Yes, also when you had rain
Yes, everything has to be wet, not just a little around the trunk. In fact, the outside is more important thant the trunk.
Yes, every day
Yes, DRENCH it. Dripping wet, running out of the pot.
Yes, even when it has rained
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
It is more than just understanding every day. It is a mindset. We are in the habit but others are not and can forget. It only takes one forget in summer.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
With friends like this.....who needs pests and diseases?
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Yes Carol, but that is Your Son. I am sure it is instilled in him. My son hates plants because he remembers planting trees with 42 inch rootballs with me by hand in hard packed red clay soil that looked like the surface of Mars .... when it was 96 degrees F and the only shade was the trees we were planting.My son actually did a great job when we were away a couple of weeks ago. Two more weeks of vacation left though, so I don't want to brag on him too much.
jimib
Shohin
I had a sprinkler system set up on mine when I went on vaca, and a niece staying at my house that was supposed to keep an eye on everything. I lost a small satsuki azalea and a European beach forest, not to mention just a regular flowers in the flowerbeds around the house.Next year I will hire a company to take care of these when I go.
