Buddhist Pine Bonsai tree isn't very well please help!

[Leyanne Surgey]

My bonsai tree is a indoor plant and recently its started to go brown in areas and the green foliage has wilted a little bit, originally my bonsai was in the Window so I thought the sun was causing the brown patches but I moved it away from the direct sunlight but its gradually getting worse, I don't think im over watering because im meant to keep the soil moist and im mist spraying the leaves, I've fed it with bonsai food a few weeks ago and im only using rain water. I desperately need a solution. Thanks

 

[Ancalagon44]

Take it outside ASAP and keep it outside until it is better.

Buddhist pine, aka podocarpus sp, is a conifer, and like most conifers, it hates being an indoors bonsai. In fact, a lot of bonsai enthusiasts will tell you that indoor bonsai is a misnomer, and that there is no such thing. Remember, the natural habitat of a tree is outdoors.

I suspect its either over or underwatering combined with being indoors that is killing your plant. Take it outdoors, and fix your watering. Watering is surprisingly difficult to get right, but is essential. First, take it outside, and then pour enough water into the pot so that it is streaming out the bottom. Wait a minute, and check how damp the soil is. If there is still water at the top of the pot, your drainage is too poor and that is killing your plant. If the soil is damp but not waterlogged, that is fine. Wait until the soil feels dry-ish on the top, and then repeat. In the US summer, that could be a day or two.

Some people water their plants by immersing them in a bath of water and waiting until the air bubbles stop.

 

[BladeVenom]

You come to a computer tech site to ask gardening questions?

 

[Scotteq]

You come to a computer tech site to ask gardening questions?

Well... can't hurt to ask detail minded experts in plant torture.

 

[Matthiasa]

Note that you should be careful about putting it outside if its been inside to long otherwise the sun will kill it.

 

[Leyanne Surgey]

Hi thank you very much for your advice I have done that straight away, I've placed it in dappled sunlight. I came to this site because I had searched for a solution to my problem, I noticed that this site covers many topics that isn't necessarily about computer software. I hope this advice will save my bonsai! Be a shame to loose it especially since it was a present. Thanks again

 

[edro]

Take it outside ASAP and keep it outside until it is better.

Buddhist pine, aka podocarpus sp, is a conifer, and like most conifers, it hates being an indoors bonsai. In fact, a lot of bonsai enthusiasts will tell you that indoor bonsai is a misnomer, and that there is no such thing. Remember, the natural habitat of a tree is outdoors.

I suspect its either over or underwatering combined with being indoors that is killing your plant. Take it outdoors, and fix your watering. Watering is surprisingly difficult to get right, but is essential. First, take it outside, and then pour enough water into the pot so that it is streaming out the bottom. Wait a minute, and check how damp the soil is. If there is still water at the top of the pot, your drainage is too poor and that is killing your plant. If the soil is damp but not waterlogged, that is fine. Wait until the soil feels dry-ish on the top, and then repeat. In the US summer, that could be a day or two.

Some people water their plants by immersing them in a bath of water and waiting until the air bubbles stop.

I agree with everything you said.

The most common death of bonsai indoors is a combination of low light, low humidity, lack of airflow and lack of water.
They need to be outdoors, and if in direct sunlight, require watering almost every day through summer.

Watering bonsai greatly depends on the soil type, amount of roots, temperature, sunlight, etc.
Generally, you want to TOTALLY soak the soil, then wait for it to almost dry out and totally soak it again.
Be warned, if it is almost dried out and you forget to water it on a hot summer day and it is in direct sunlight, it can die or at least die back numerous branches.

 

[DougK62]

If it's started turning brown it's likely already dead.

 

[Leros]

This is my go to forum for random questions. I'm fairly certain that I could ask any question and have some sort of knowledgeable person chime in.