Tomohiro Masumi watering Shohin bonsai at Koju-en in Kyoto. From Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek.
Yet Another Watering Problem…
The following is by Michael Hagedorn from his website Crataegus Bonsai.
Probably the worst thing we might encounter when we have a hose in our hand is a tree that, when we think about it, has not dried out in three days of sunny summer weather. That ought to send off all kinds of alarm bells in your head. If none go off, install some.
First of all, don’t water the tree if you want it to live. Secondly, place it in semi-shade and mist it frequently. The roots are not working, they are not drawing up moisture. Usually what has happened is root rot: the small roots got crispy dry, then they got waterlogged, and now the soil is staying waterlogged and everything that was living is slowly decomposing. This is like a heart that just stopped pumping and the medics are scrambling for the jump-start. If those small rootlets don’t start growing out again soon, the tree will die.
Tip the pot up on a block to let the excess water run out the bottom of it. The pot must be kept a bit on the dry side, and water introduced by misting onto the leaves to get the tree going again.
This is one of those cases where prevention is worth it’s weight in platinum. Don’t let your trees get COMPLETELY dry, and be ever alert to those that are not drying out as you would expect.
About Michael
Michael Hagedorn is an accomplished bonsai artist, teacher and author. For more of Michael’s insights, check out his excellent book; Post-Dated – The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk and be sure to visit his website.
I have an elm that seems to be turning yellow and losing it’s leaves. I’ve had a lot of rain by me in the month of June.20 out of 30 days. I’ve noticed some tips shriviling up looking brown to blackish in color. I don’t smell any rooting roots.I do have new growth in places, but some branches are starting to look bare. It’s in sun about 6 hrs a day. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
– Thanks for your time….Mike
Though it may be something else, my best guess is a fungal disease. Chinese elms are prone to fungal disease and excess moisture provides perfect conditions for fungi. Full sun (more than 6 hours a day if you can pull it off) will help, as will good drainage and periodic drying down. Here’s a link on anthracnose (fungal disease) that might be helpful. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7420.html
Anyone else out there have anything that might be helpful? Don’t hesitate to comment.