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Hi,

I'm fairly new to bonsai and re-potted my Contoneaster bonsai for the first time about a month ago. Since then it has looked to be struggling. It's lost about 75% of the new leaves that had started sprouting at the end of winter the ones left are starting to wither and brown. I re-potted it in 50% akadama, 25% pumice and 25% lava rock. I've watered just about everyday. It got an infection of scales quickly after the re-pot which I removed and sprayed with a scale spray from a hardware store. I'm not sure whether that has contributed to the issue. Any advice would be great as this bonsai has some sentimental value to me.

Thanks
John

Cant tell if the tree is dead. I'm using my phone right now.

Why do you water everyday? Do you live in Africa? The Contoneaster doesn't live in the rainforest, therefor it should not be watered that much and especually not after repot.

After a repot its best to keep the soil moist but not wet. If you keep the soil moist, then the roots will seek after water and then start growing again. If you water everyday then the roots will drown.

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Like I said, I'm pretty new to bonsai and this is my first time re-potting. I had read to keep it well watered after a re-pot but I guess that's wrong. Also, when I first seen signs of wilting it did appear as though it was drying up but those symptoms seem to have stopped and it seems more like leaves browning than any wilting now. Do you think the tree can be saved?

Keep the soil moist not wet. Let the soil dry between watering, but not dry completly out. Give it time and hope for the best. Can't tell you if the tree is dead or alive. Others will probably say its dead. But try give it time.

Do you keep it indoors ?

Could be a combination of over watering and the chemical treatment. I have killed a few of my bonsai with various kinds of insecticide sprays. That was even after I had done research to "ensure" it would be safe for my trees. Some of my trees don't like NEEM, others don't like Daconil, still some don't like Slevin or Bayer 3 in 1. Even when diluted! Time of day makes a difference too, as the chemicals can be caustic and/or toxic to the plant if applied in direct daylight. I would suggest what others have already offered. Adjust your watering, make sure its outdoors, no fertilizer until it's growing, and no more chemical spray. Then just be patient and hope it recovers.

I did have the suspicion of the re-pot with the insecticide causing the problem. I usually keep it outdoors but brought it in to take the picture. Since last week I've been moving it in and outdoors dependent on the weather (always near a big window when indoors). It's been pretty wet here recently so given the advice I've received I thought it best to try and control how wet it was getting. It is showing small signs of improvement but I think it's still too early to tell. Thanks for all the advice it's been a big help.

The worst thing you can do is to keep moving it in and out!!! Rain will not kill the tree but you are going the right way about killing it

When repotting the rule of thumb is to remove only about 1/3 of the root mass. Place the tree in full shade for at least 2 weeks. Water thoroughly and stop until you can place a finger 1/4 the way into the soil and it feels dry. Scale could have been removed manually or use Neem Oil. Do not do any pruning after a re-pot also. My suggestion would be to place the tree in Sphagnum moss well moistened and leave it alone. The Sphagnum moss will heal the roots and help them grow. Let’s hope the chemical sprayed did not poison the tree. Good luck