Is Your Bonsai Tree Losing Leaves? Here’s What to Do!
With a bonsai tree losing leaves, it is easy to panic and think the worst. Afterall, these are delicate and beautiful plants that often require a significant investment.
However, a bonsai tree dropping leaves is not always cause for concern. To the contrary, a bonsai goes through natural cycles in which leaf shedding is common.
There are times, conversely, when a bonsai dropping leaves is due to challenging environmental conditions or improper care. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to act swiftly. Identifying the cause and correcting it, if possible, is the quickest way to save the tree.
Today, we at Bonsai2U are sharing our definitive tips for saving your bonsai tree if it is shedding unexpectedly.
We are going to help you identify what is normal and what is not, as well as provide a guide on what to do if the latter occurs. Continue below.
Firstly, Why Is My Bonsai Losing Leaves?
A bonsai tree, properly cared for and cultivated, can be a fantastic attention to any home or space. Not only does it inject a sense of calm and serenity, but maintaining the tree’s beauty can deliver a real sense of accomplishment.
If you find that your bonsai tree is losing leaves, it can be bewildering at first. Especially if you are inexperienced. So, what can be done? Well, that really depends. Allow us to explain.
Bonsai trees are delicate. As such, they shed as a result of environmental fluctuations as well as during the cycle of the seasons.
Depending on the species and time of year, some periodic shedding is perfectly normal. Thus, it is encouraged to do some research about your particular tree.
If your bonsai is losing a large volume of leaves, this may be cause for concern. The good news is that this can often be corrected and prevented.
To do this, you need to understand the external factors which lead to excessive shedding. Some of the chief factors include pest infestation, incorrect humidity levels as well as incorrect pruning. Below we are going to expand on this and offer helpful tips for each unique scenario.
What Can I Do?
If your tree’s shedding seems abnormal or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is time to delve deeper.
Below are some of the leading factors of excessive and abnormal shedding. We have also included tips on combating each factor.
- Incorrect Environment
The environment in which your tree is kept plays an important role in health maintenance. Conditions must be carefully curated and altered as these trees are delicate.
Too much or too little light can cause excessive shedding, for example. Abrupt temperature fluctuations can also stress the tree which, on occasion, can cause leaf loss. If your bonsai is losing leaves, you may want to explore the following:
- Over/under watering
- Soil quality
- Temperature/ humidity levels
- Light levels
We would encourage you to create a list and investigate one by one. Perhaps you are giving the tree too much water or the levels of light are insufficient. Whatever the reason, it is important to act swiftly and diligently.
- Pest Infestation
Elsewhere in our blog we have covered this topic. If you would like more information on pest infestations and how to treat them, visit the following link.
As outlined before however, bonsai trees are susceptible to all sorts of mites and bugs. If not properly treated, the plant can be destroyed and excessive shedding can occur.
If you suspect that your bonsai is suffering from an infestation, it is important to act swiftly to treat the problem.
The above article gives a fantastic insight on identifying specific pests as well as what treatment should be used.
- Improper Pruning
Pruning, which is the selective removal of certain leaves, is an important part of tree maintenance. If pruning is done incorrectly or excessive styling takes place however, the tree can ultimately suffer.
If you suspect that your bonsai tree is losing leaves because of incorrect pruning, we would recommend that you conduct research. There are ample resources available online that outline the correct method.
- Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrients such as Nitrogen are required in order for your tree to grow properly and healthily. A lack of essential nutrients can impact leaf formation and colour. If you are experiencing unexpected loss of leaves, you may want to reconsider or explore your fertiliser options.
Bonsai Care at Bonsai2U
As a team of experts, we take great pride in offering solutions to common customer problems. If you are experiencing any problems with one of our products, we are more than happy to help.
If your bonsai tree is losing leaves and you have tried everything listed in the article, we encourage you to contact us. We have a dedicated and experienced team who are happy to assist with any product related questions. Contact us today for more information.