Chance of recovery?

[LinkZ]

Got myself a bonsai a couple months back and like an idiot I threw away the label so i'm not sure what type it is. I don't think i'd been watering it enough at the start so all the leaves wilted away and died, they've slowly been coming back to life but they are still very brittle. In the last week a new sprout has popped up and is growing like nobodys business, healthy as anything!

What would be the best way to encourage this type of growth from everywhere else? Is it best to remove all the dead leaves and let it all grow back or should I leave them on and keep watering away?

Here's a picture:



EDIT: Rather small picture, here's a higher resolution picture http://i.imgur.com/YpsiB1M.jpg

 

[Poink88]

Looks like an elm.

If it is growing, then continue what you are doing. Keep it outside, and watch the water. Put a bamboo skewer/BBQ stick in the soil (or anything similar & leave it there). Check before you water. If any part is still wet (usually darker) then don't water yet.

Re: old dried leaves, you can damage new growth removing those but if you are careful you can remove it. I know I would. They should fall off by themselves eventually. Do not touch, trim or pinch the new growth. Your tree need to recover.

Good luck and welcome to B-Nut!

BTW, please update your profile with your general location. It helps give you better advise.

Edit: I just noticed it is on a humidity tray...keeping it indoors will almost guarantee it's demise. Sorry.

 

[LinkZ]

Looks like an elm.

If it is growing, then continue what you are doing. Keep it outside, and watch the water. Put a bamboo skewer/BBQ stick in the soil (or anything similar & leave it there). Check before you water. If any part is still wet (usually darker) then don't water yet.

Re: old dried leaves, you can damage new growth removing those but if you are careful you can remove it. I know I would. They should fall off by themselves eventually. Do not touch, trim or pinch the new growth. Your tree need to recover.

Good luck and welcome to B-Nut!

BTW, please update your profile with your general location. It helps give you better advise.

Edit: I just noticed it is on a humidity tray...keeping it indoors will almost guarantee it's demise. Sorry.

Thanks for your reply, updated my profile now

It was advertised as an indoor bonsai which shouldn't be kept in direct light, is it possible that it isn't an elm?

The new growth is right at the base of the tree which isn't really where I wanted it to start, if it was higher up that would be great, i'd like to try and promote new leaf growth higher up if possible.

 

[Poink88]

It is possible that I am mistaken but lots of vendors "trick" people into buying "indoor plants" that are not.

Wait for growth where you want them...if the trunk is still alive higher up, it will surely bud there. I repeat, do not touch the new growth and I strongly urge you to bring this plant out now.

 

[LinkZ]

It is possible that I am mistaken but lots of vendors "trick" people into buying "indoor plants" that are not.

Wait for growth where you want them...if the trunk is still alive higher up, it will surely bud there. I repeat, do not touch the new growth and I strongly urge you to bring this plant out now.

Bah, that's a shame, I specifically wanted it for indoors in an area with decent light but not direct. I'll put it in the garden and see how it goes. Should I still leave it in the tray?

 

[JudyB]

It was advertised as an indoor bonsai which shouldn't be kept in direct light, is it possible that it isn't an elm?

There really are not any trees that are "indoor" trees. Only trees, and plants that do better indoors than others. But elms, which is what this seems to be, need to be outside. If you wish an indoor tree, I would suggest a ficus. They also like to be outside in the summer, but you can, with the right conditions, be successful with these as indoor trees.

Elms are tough little guys, this one will probably live if you water properly and take it outdoors.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I'm not fully convinced this is an elm, can you post a picture of a leaf close up?

 

[Poink88]

Do not put it out in direct sunlight right away. Else the new leaves might burn. Give it a week to acclimate under shade and slowly give it more sun over the next week.

No use for the humidity tray really but it shouldn't hurt your tree. Could become a mosquito nest though. Personally I'll get rid of it.

Good luck!

 

[JudyB]

I'm not fully convinced this is an elm, can you post a picture of a leaf close up?

Me either now that I look at the larger pic. Could it be the dreaded Serissa? But the leaves look largeish and oval for serissa. Then again, it's been a long time since I had one...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Leaves remind me of a Ligustrum....

 

[LinkZ]

Here's a closer picture of the leaves http://i.imgur.com/6RdEjEU.jpg

 

[Poink88]

Ryan is on to something, good call. I cannot positively ID from these leaves still. Add the fact that they are basically water sprouts makes it even harder.

I maintain my recommendation to move it out though.

 

[GrimLore]

Leaves remind me of a Ligustrum....

Agreed and I think those roots confirm it. You should probably put it in a semi-lit outdoor area for awhile, and myself I would fertilize it the next time you water it. If I remember correct those things can grow real gnarly roots but with so many exposed at the moment I would let it recover from the move and keep it out of full sun

 

[LinkZ]

Thanks very much for all your help. It's sitting happily outside now in a more shaded part of the garden, let's see how it goes over the next week or so then

 

[Poink88]

LinkZ must be totally confused now LOL

Let me add more. It definitely doesn't look like the ligustrum I know/have. And my ligustrum is out in full TX sun.

 

[GrimLore]

LinkZ must be totally confused now LOL

Let me add more. It definitely doesn't look like the ligustrum I know/have. And my ligustrum is out in full TX sun.

And yours is not in a recovery process... Honest his looks a lot like one I gave away last year less mature foliage... I cannot be positive but either way I think the shade water fert thing will get it growing enough that we can all be positive

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Hmmm Sageretia.....?

 

[LinkZ]

LinkZ must be totally confused now LOL

Let me add more. It definitely doesn't look like the ligustrum I know/have. And my ligustrum is out in full TX sun.

Haha, yes a little confused, but the general consensus for recovery is to sit it outside in the shade and keep it nicely watered. So i'm going to concentrate on getting him back to life first then figure out what he is afterwards!

 

[Poink88]

Very good!!!

 

[LinkZ]

Ok, so nearly 2 weeks later and if i'm honest the poor little tree isn't looking too happy! I've had it outside and kept it watered as mentioned and the new sprouts are doing quite well, however the old leaves have gone brown and shriveled up even more!

Any idea what to do next? I've started slowly moving it so it gets some more light during the morning.

http://i.imgur.com/st0NVCR.jpg