My bonsai tree smells

Curlywurly

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Hi, I just got a bonsai tree today and I’ve tried to look up how to look after it but it seems to be a bit complicated for me. My tree smells really bad too. I don’t know what type it is or how to look after it exactly. Can someone give me some help please. ?
 

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j evans

Omono
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Welcome! Is it extremely wet and the soil smelling?
 

TN_Jim

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that’s nasty¡!:D:D:D:D

mold around base of tree is not a great sign
does it drain (the pot?)
if not, you need to remedy this immediately <-do much homework on this first (so many threads here...YouTube also)....first first tho, gently tilt it on its side allowing any pooled water to escape
If no drain, what’s the pot made of -could possibly drill it?....now is typically not the best time of year for repotting is why I ask.

could be stanky fertilizer (hopefully)

if it’s what j is saying, you must stop watering until it needs water again...dry soil down to ~first knuckle. If pot is not draining, ignore this, fix pot problem ASAP

stagnant pooling water, rotting wet roots, and even some fertilizers can be fuuunky

where did you get it?
please address all questions if able to get at problem... also, a clear pic of the soil may help. please put in your location info.
winter is on the way, I wouldn’t put off addressing these issue(s)
Welcome!
 

sorce

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Could be a Privet...
"Hard to kill".

Which is why it's barely hanging on.
Any other tree would probly have died!

Seems the low roots are dead and it's growing on whatever roots it can safely grow on the drier surface.

Investigate.

S
 

sorce

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Root rot is possibly the @sorce of the scent....smells like a rotten corpse in a nasty swamp....

Yup!

I love the smell of fert. Don't matter which really...cept that chemical shit.

The only really bad smell is that...
That certified (shit..fungus? Microbe? I always have to look that shit up because its so easily avoidable it is a waste of storage space..im not looking it up again..)

That Actual Root Rot.

Stank like..
(Dont start a political debate!)
Lol!

I got a couple pots for you JWI.

S
 

Curlywurly

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I’ve took a video and I hope that’s helpful. The soil is still quite damp. Only got this for my grandad for his birthday but I can’t give him it if it smells bad. What soil would I use etc. I live in the UK if that’s helpful.

 

Brian Van Fleet

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You gonna give it a bath? Can’t smell anything from the video.?

Probably the soil, overwatering and causing roots to rot. You could scrape off the top 1/3 of the soil and run a lot of water through, then replace the top layer with aquarium gravel of Bonsai soil.

It’s a thoughtful gift, but Bonsai don’t make great gifts. It’s kind of like giving someone a cat. If it dies, the pot is at least decent.
 

TN_Jim

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:(:(:confused::D:oops:
I’m smellin’ it.

Did you decide not to gift it prior to initial post?

Does he have other bonsai? If so you should definitely gift it, vile or not.

You may end up with a dead tree if you don’t make a decision.

Really why in the bathtub? Is it that bad?

Give it (like to someone at a local bonsai club or...botanical garden...you could just walk in the door and set it on the floor...walk out...pretty sure they’re ok with that in this case) plant it (where it won’t die), or keep it...

Put it outside in the quasi shade, under an eave out of the rain. Let it dry some, ponder it’s death in that wretched soil...decide the fate of the tree with poor roots...and please post it’s health or demise

pots nice!
 
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