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Hello,
I've had a bonsai for about 8 months and within the last month or so its leaves have started to brown and dry up slightly (pic 1) . But there is a small amount of new growth (pic 2).
I'm keeping it on a window sill with a good amount of sunlight, most of it not direct sunlight. It's in a tray of water on stones, I mist its leaves with water every day and feed and water it once a week. It's soil is always slightly damp to the touch.
There's a radiator quite close to it so it has a quite warm regular surroundings.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing wrong! If someone could please help me with this. I think it is a Chinese sweet plum which is deciduous so this may all be normal - I just don't want to leave it too late if there is something wrong. Also, if I've misidentified it please let me know.

One of the branches is nearly completely bare, should this be removed or is there a chance that there may be new growth? (Pic 3)

One last thing, a white fungus like substance grows on its soil, is this an issue and if so how should I get rid of it? (Pic 4)

Thank you in advance to anyone who might be able to help!

Lizloaf wrote: I think it is a Chinese sweet plum which is deciduous

Sageretia Theezans is only deciduous when exposed to cold.

Did you check ?

Lizloaf wrote: I've had a bonsai for about 8 months and within the last month or so its leaves have started to brown and dry up slightly.

Drying leaves are a problem, well spotted

Lizloaf wrote: I'm keeping it on a window sill with a good amount of sunlight, most of it not direct sunlight.

THat should be fine

Lizloaf wrote: It's in a tray of water on stones, I mist its leaves with water every day

Plants do not like to sit in water for any length of time, except for some specific species. This is not one of them. Do not put it in a tray of water. Misting is overrated.

Lizloaf wrote: feed and water it once a week. It's soil is always slightly damp to the touch.

Feeding once a week is WAY too much, and will result in salt buildup, as you are seeing now on your soil surface: They white stuff. Only add fertilizer when the plant is actively growing, and then only every month or so in winter. So, effectively, between now and march, once or twice should be enough.

Lizloaf wrote: There's a radiator quite close to it so it has a quite warm regular surroundings.

THat is a bad idea. Radiators cause very dry air. Unless you have some feel for plants, better not place them on/near radiators. (That being said, all my plants are on top of a radiator, so it can work)

Lizloaf wrote: One of the branches is nearly completely bare, should this be removed or is there a chance that there may be new growth?

Depends on whether the branch is just bare or dead. Just leave it for now. Once the plants recovers it will be clear whether new growth comes in.

Lizloaf wrote: One last thing, a white fungus like substance grows on its soil, is this an issue and if so how should I get rid of it?

This is salt buildup. Place the whole pot in a big volume of water, and leave it in for 15 minutes, moving the pot in and out of the water (Letting all the water drain) every few minutes to get some movement through the pot. After this, your plant may not need water for a good 1-2 weeks; Wait till the surface starts to dry before watering again.

It is hard to tell from your picture, but the plant seems to be in pretty bad soil. You could consider repotting in a pot one size larger with good quality potting soil and in spring time decidwe whether you want it back in this smaller container. It will help recovery. Repotting in this stage is really just taking it out of this pot, and putting it in another, without doing anything to the roots.

Thank you for your detailed reply!

I have done as you've said with reducing the salt build up.

I have also moved the bonsai away from the radiator to an area with slightly less light, but will hopefully be less dry.

I will attempt to repot it ASAP!


As I do live in a cold area of the UK, it may just be an unavoidable reaction to the seasons.

Thank you again for your help.