Tree Health

Most Bonsai artists will tell you about the many trees that they have lost along the way. They die from overwatering, underwatering, too much fertilizer, not enough, insects, fungal infections, too much sun, not enough. Yikes!

Trees are usually pretty hardy in their natural environment, but there’s nothing natural about growing a tree in a pot. The word Bonsai comes from the Japanese words “bon” which means “tray” and “sai” which means “planting”. It generally refers to any plant that has been artificially dwarfed and grown in a tray. Sometimes, trees that might reach heights of two hundred feet or more are dwarfed down to a height of just a couple feet. It tends to make them delicate. What’s more, these trees are often grown in environments that are alien to them. Tropical trees don’t normally thrive in Toronto.

So if you’re going to get started in this hobby, you need to understand that you’re pretty much going to start every day by paying attention to your trees. You’ll probably lose a few along the way, but don’t get discouraged. The ones that survive will bring you great joy. Just imagine having a forest of living trees on a shelf to enjoy every day, even though you live in the middle of a city.

To help you keep your trees healthy, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms and know what they mean. Here are a few common symptoms to watch for.

Yellowing or Wilted Leaves

The most common cause of this is overwatering. But oddly enough, it can also be caused by underwatering. Your best bet is to water when the soil starts to feel dry, but never allow it to dry out completely. This condition can also be caused by a lack of nutrients so make sure you fertilize your tree regularly.

Excessive Leaves Dropping Off

It normal for you tree to drop leaves from time to time. But if this becomes excessive, assuming that it’s not autumn and your tree is not deciduous, it’s a sign that the tree is under stress. This could be caused by drastic changes in conditions: temperature, light, humidity, etc. Bonsai trees tend to be more delicate than their full grown cousins and they don’t respond well to sudden dramatic changes in their environment.

Spots on the Leaves

The spots might be any variety of colors: red, brown, black, etc. This usually means a fungal infection and it should be treated as quickly as possible. First, get rid of the affected leaves since the fungus could spread. Then, visit your local nursery or garden store and look for a chemical to treat your tree with. It will usually come in a spray bottle or aerosol can.