Worried about my 3 months old blue flower Jacaranda

[Bonsai_Rookie]

Hey everyone! I've been enjoying taking care of my bonsai starting from the seed for almost 4 months now.

However, I'm facing a problem and I don't want to do any drastic changes that may affect it even more.

This month, the leaves of one branch started yellowing, then after a few days, they turn brown and fall off.

Specifications:
- The tree gets sunlight from a large 6-slot LED 6x 4" full spectrum 120V about 2 inches away, for almost 16 hours a day.

- Soil composition:
50% Akadama (sifted), 20% pumice, 2x12.5% lava rock (red and black), 5% coarse construction sand.

-I water it between 24-36 hours when I notice the top of the soil is almost dry.

-The temperature of the room is pretty constant, over 20 degrees.

- It stays 24/7 inside to avoid pests and diseases especially at an early stage.

- It is not yet fertilized, last time I tried it almost died.

One last thing, the water used is tap water. I'm worried if I should try fertilizing or not.

 

[dtreesj]

I have three of these. I think you might be giving it too much care. Normally they are hard to kill. Mine have suffered everything, drought, aphids, spider mites, and they just keep going like nothing happened.

 

[dtreesj]

Also I think the bonsai soil is unnecessary and might even make things more difficult. I don't know if you can change it now though. I grew mine in just peat and perlite and they loved it.

 

[Bonsai_Rookie]

In order to change it, I'd have to wait 2 years, or else it might get really damaged

 

[Bnana]

Plants need nutrients, you're not giving anything. I don't think you need to change the soil but it is likely starving.
The light you're giving is not sunlight. I don't know how much it is or what spectrum but this species likes full sunlight, and that is a lot of light.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Growing seasons around the world vary widely and it is difficult to get a perspective on what someone says when we don't know where in the world they are. If you go to the upper right hand corner and click on your Icon, you can add your location and people will be able to customize advice for you, and you might connect with another local. Normally, we would say this tree belongs outdoors in a protected position of dappled sun, but God only knows where you are. And repotting seedlings in the first few years is not done unless and until they actually need a bigger pot. No work on their structure is done either. Basically, they are just "let grow". Losing older leaves in favor of growing new is part of the process, too. So, add your location to your profile and tell us why this is not outside?

<<<<< It will show here.

 

[Bonsai_Rookie]

Plants need nutrients, you're not giving anything. I don't think you need to change the soil but it is likely starving.
The light you're giving is not sunlight. I don't know how much it is or what spectrum but this species likes full sunlight, and that is a lot of light.

The light I'm giving it may not be direct sunlight, but it's enough to make it grow. It uses the full spectrum of light, like the sun. Plus, being LEDs I keep them on the lamp 16 hours a day, which should be plenty for most trees

 

[Bonsai_Rookie]

Growing seasons around the world vary widely and it is difficult to get a perspective on what someone says when we don't know where in the world they are. If you go to the upper right hand corner and click on your Icon, you can add your location and people will be able to customize advice for you, and you might connect with another local. Normally, we would say this tree belongs outdoors in a protected position of dappled sun, but God only knows where you are. And repotting seedlings in the first few years is not done unless and until they actually need a bigger pot. No work on their structure is done either. Basically, they are just "let grow". Losing older leaves in favor of growing new is part of the process, too. So, add your location to your profile and tell us why this is not outside?

<<<<< It will show here.

I did it now, thanks. And yeah because in Canada, the temperatures vary quite a lot, especially in Winter. I don't want my tree to feel thermal stress due to the temperature differences that we get here

 

[SWfloirda]

You should provide it with as much sunlight as you can before winter. Lights of any type are no the same.

 

[Bonsai_Rookie]

You should provide it with as much sunlight as you can before winter. Lights of any type are no the same.

It stays less than 2 inches from 6x4" full-spectrum LEDs 120V, for around 16 hours a day (which is the maximum I can give)

 

[Bonsai_Rookie]

Plants need nutrients, you're not giving anything. I don't think you need to change the soil but it is likely starving.
The light you're giving is not sunlight. I don't know how much it is or what spectrum but this species likes full sunlight, and that is a lot of light.

I will try and fertilize it today, the recommended value says 1/2 tablespoon, judging on my seedling, I'll give it half a teaspoon.

The last time I tried to fertilize it, it almost died, I will keep you guys updated on the situation

 

[Bnana]

It stays less than 2 inches from 6x4" full-spectrum LEDs 120V, for around 16 hours a day (which is the maximum I can give)

This doesn't tell me anything about how much light comes out of the LEDs. Full spectrum means it has all wavelengths (in the visible spectrum) but doesn't say anything about the relative distribution. The 120 V just tells me you're in the USA or Canada as most of the world uses other voltages.

What kind of fertilizer do you use? Most have an amount (5ml out something like that) per liter water.

 

[dtreesj]

As for light, mine did great in a bright, south facing window during the winter. When temps were high enough, I moved them outside. They're not that bothered by pests unless it's a major infestation.

 

[Bonsai_Rookie]

This doesn't tell me anything about how much light comes out of the LEDs. Full spectrum means it has all wavelengths (in the visible spectrum) but doesn't say anything about the relative distribution. The 120 V just tells me you're in the USA or Canada as most of the world uses other voltages.

What kind of fertilizer do you use? Most have an amount (5ml out something like that) per liter water.

This is from the website, Bonsaisupply.ca:

"Our slow dissolving, premium quality bonsai fertilizer pellets can be sprinkled on the top layer of your bonsai soil. These pellets are designed to release a small amount of nutrients to your tree over 3-6 months each time you water your bonsai tree.

These bonsai fertilizer pellets contain Phosphate, Ammonia and Nitrogen in a balanced 10-10-10 formulation which is ideal for bonsai trees.

Only a very small amount of fertilizer pellets are required. Our recommended dosage is 1/2 tsp for a tree in a 8" pot every 6-12 weeks during the growing season or when repotting your tree in fresh soil."

As for the lamp, it is said to produce 2000 lumen per light bulb. Mine has 6, so 12000 lumens

 

[Lumaca]

Is that seedling really tiny for 3 months old or is the scale just off? Is the stem the size of a toothpick?

My 3 months old jacaranda's leaves have sub-divided into double compound leaves (is that the right term?) and are the size of my palm of hand. It looks starved of everything.

 

[Bonsai_Rookie]

Is that seedling really tiny for 3 months old or is the scale just off? Is the stem the size of a toothpick?

My 3 months old jacaranda's leaves have sub-divided into double compound leaves (is that the right term?) and are the size of my palm of hand. It looks starved of everything.

Thank you so much for the comparison I will see if the fertilizers will do any good ❤

 

[Lumaca]

This is my smallest one, and I think if I moved it to a bigger pot it would've been a lot bigger. Full sun, full rain.

 

[canoeguide]

Light from the sun, humidity, air movement, etc. are difficult to replicate indoors. Based on everything said here, it's likely either lacking sunlight or nutrients. Nutrients are easy: give it some fertilizer. What you have on hand is fine, and if I was being careful, I'd give it at half strength, maybe twice as often.

I would put it outside, even on a covered porch or somewhere where it can get bright indirect light. In fact, that exactly where I'd put it. I would not move it to direct sunlight. You've got a couple of months before it will get too cold and it will need to come inside for the winter. Use that time outside to get this healthier or I would not bet on it making it through the winter indoors.

Good luck!

 

[Mikecheck123]

Outdoor trees die inside.

Simple as that.

Some things are impossible to replicate inside: air flow for one, and the day/night temperature differential for another.

I highly doubt fertilizer has anything to do with it.

 

[Forsoothe!]

An important component of plant life is circadian rhythm. Plants get ready for the off season as a result of experiencing diminishing photo-period, sunlight intensity and warmth, and dry air that usually accompanies autumn. Plants go into dormancy slowly and duplicating that whole process artificially is at least difficult. Almost every place on Earth has a period when the weather forces plants into some kind of minimal activity. Winter in temperate zones and shifting winds bringing a dry season in the tropics. So, this is a rest period that is built into the genes of most plants and may be more important than we realize in keeping tropicals in our homes in non-tropical zones.