Yellow and brown spots on the leaves
I purchased my first Bonsai a month or so ago, and since the vendor outside Taman Safari couldn’t speak a word of English I couldn’t ask what specific Bonsai it was. I only asked for an indoor Bonsai and he gave me this.
When we first got it, we kept it indoor, but the leaves started wilting and falling off. So we had to move it out to the verandah and it began flourishing, so much so that it was getting rather overgrown. I gave it it’s first trim last week and while I was researching on how to do this I stumbled upon some photos of the Ginseng Ficus Bonsai which my Bonsai looks very similar to. What do you think?
Sorry for the quality, I took it with my mobile phone. I hope I’m right and that it’s a Ginseng Ficus. What do you think?
Last week it only had a few yellow leaves falling out, now there are so many!
Even the smaller leaves are turning yellow, spotted and dying
Some leaves that don’t turn yellow/spotted, but just go from green to black. Even the freshly sprouted baby leaves!
Does anyone know what is wrong with it and give any recommendations? It’s so hard to inquire in the gardening shops here because they cannot speak english anyway and even with my mobile translator there is so much miscommunication going on.
This reminds me of my perpetually sick Parsley. We’ve been placing Dane Organic Pesticide on it, which was recommended on one website for when this happens to the leaves. The parsley gets better but when we stop placing the pesticide, it just comes back.
Dane 100% Organic Pesticide contains 0.14 ppm azadirachtine and 0.11 ppm euphorbin. I tried this because this was the only solution I could find after scouring many websites and forums regarding my problem. Please pardon the ignorance, I really am a newbie at gardening. I also try to use organic and natural as much as possible because we have a dog.
Another problem since we got the Bonsai is that ants love it! There are these brown ants that continuously go up and down the tree. None of my other plants have this problem. We wipe down the plant everyday and it’s reducing the number of ants, but I don’t know if it enough. I’ve also started it on the Dane Pesticide.
I have a sinking feeling it’s going to die, just like my Hydrangea that had the exact same thing happen to its leaves. We tried to save it for a few months, but it finally died. =(
I’ve never had plants before except for 2 cacti that died due to over-watering. I was excited though because my horsetails have flourished (I’ve rooted and planted many new ones) and my day lilies have bloomed twice already. But this disease that’s spreading from my hydrangea, to my parsley, to one of my horsetails and then to my bonsai, is discouraging me. =( Should I give up?
Has anyone experienced the same thing with their plants? Any suggestions and info would be appreciated!
First, don’t kill it by trying to save it, by which I mean, don’t over-water (wait until it is almost dry before watering) don’t feed, don’t move it around….let it recover.
Thanks for the response Will! I’ve been letting it rest and making sure not to over water. No improvements unfortunately 🙁 I am just not sure what to do since my hydrangea died of the same mysterious yellow-brown-spotted-leaf disease (sorry I have no idea what to call it!) and I felt so helpless watching it die for a couple of months. Has this ever happened to any of your plants?
Knowing the species would help, but inspect the plant well, make sure there are no insects (mites, scale,etc). Remove any infected leaves, and care for as discussed. If more leaves get infected after removal, I would try a copper fungicide at half recommended dosage.
Looking at the photo, I’d recommend adding some bonsai soil to bring the level up to within a 1/4 inch of the pot rim.
Bonsai is a wonderful art form, but sadly part of the learning process involves killing a few trees. I hope this one makes it!
Try a ficus retusa for your next tree. This tropical responds well to bonsai techniques and is very forgiving, in other words, perfect for learning on, easy to care for, and makes a great bonsai.
Oh, I almost forgot….I see new growth in the pictures, this is a great sign!
Thanks so much for all the info and advice, Will! Very helpful indeed. The closest images I found on the net were those of Ginseng Ficus bonsai. I cannot be 100% sure though. A lot of the new growth though are turning black =( I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Will post pics after I try all of the above! Thanks again!