On the Bonsai Empire forums, we get questions about bonsai trees that drop their leaves,
or foliage that turns yellow, all the time.
So in this video we provide some advice on how to revive a dying bonsai.
First of all, make sure to check if your bonsai is still alive.
If you scratch the bark on your tree using your finger nail, is the inside still light green?
If yes, your tree is alive and able to regrow its leaves in a
few weeks time if you follow the next steps.
If the inside of the bark looks dried out and the fine branches look brittle,
your bonsai is most likely passed saving.
For any Bonsai, and especially those in bad shape,
here is what you can do to revive them in three steps.
First of all, you need to know what kind of tree you have.
Indoor Bonsai have entirely different needs than outdoor Bonsai.
You need to adapt the care of your Bonsai to its specific needs.
If you're not sure what kind of Bonsai you have, use the Identify my Bonsai guide on our website.
Now that you've identified your Bonsai, learn how to take care of it correctly.
We have videos here on youtube about most tree species, but otherwise read up on our website.
Once you figure out the best place for your tree and water it correctly,
your Bonsai is on it's way to recovery.
Here are some common mistakes made:
Bonsai trees are planted in small pots, which doesn't leave a lot of room for
reserves in terms of nutrients and water. If you forget to water your Bonsai and the
soil dries out completely, the roots will quickly dry out and the tree will die.
If the roots have dried up completely you won't be able to save the tree.
The Juniper is one of the most common Bonsai trees for beginners, but it is an outdoor tree.
When placed inside, its foliage will turn yellow and the tree will slowly die.
If you've planted your Bonsai using a soil mixture that retains a lot of water,
frequent watering will keep your soil wet and cause the roots to rot and die.
Neglecting your tree of water can kill a tree in days,
but overwatering kills your tree slowly in a matter of weeks.
Trees require a lot of light to survive. Most homes do not get enough natural light,
so it's important to place indoor trees directly at a south-facing window.
If you identified your tree, and optimized the Bonsai care
techniques like placement and watering, your Bonsai should be perfectly fine.
If you still run into problems,
consider sharing some photos on the Bonsai Empire forums.
Learn how to create your own Bonsai trees,
by enrolling in one of our online Bonsai courses.
We explain techniques like pruning, wiring and repotting.
And you can ask questions to the teachers.
For the curriculums and free lessons, go to: bonsaiempire.com/courses