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I recently ordered a bonsai, actually it is a grouping of three small jade trees. I am using a light on it during the day and off at night. I water when it goes into the dry area on my gauge and never let it get too wet. I also give it a mist multiple times during the day.
There is a lot of new growth. I have removed some to keep the canopy uniform, but no major limb trimming. I have also removed some of the large, older leaves hoping this gives more nutrients to the new baby leaves.
Ok, my question is, is it normal to have a leaf fall off occassionally from the tree. I've lost maybe two a day. I'm a bit paranoid because I want this little guy to so well.
I am reading this website thoroughly in attempts to learn .

Thanks for any advice you can offer

Ruth wrote: I recently ordered a bonsai, actually it is a grouping of three small jade trees.

Porticularia or Crassula?

I discovered it is a Portulacaria Afra.

I also discovered a bunch of articles on this site to read. I will do this now, but any other help is appreciated.

one more thing, can i use tap water, or should i use distilled water.

Tap water is fine. If you want, you can catch rain water, but that depends on how much rain you get.
The leaf dropping could be due a number of things. Indoors is only really good for people, not plants.

Ed

Don't use a gauge. Let the soil nearly dry out between waterings. It is a succulent, it does not need frequent watering.

I would stop misting the plant. The use of it is doubtfull in most cases. In jades it is unwanted; They grow in very dry hot areas.

By plucking the leaves you are actually taking energy away from the plant. Leaves are energy producers. So I do not see why you would want to remove them. It will reduce growth.
Leave drop can be from moving the plant around, from insects or from too wet conditions.

Thanks. I am trying indoors because the only place I have convenient is my deck and that gets so hot. I do have a light sobi am hoping this helps a bit.

I will stop misting and I think I'm watering too much with the comments I received and the reading I am doing.
I read that taking off the big leaves will produce more growth that's why I took off some, only 4 or 5. I will stop.
I have read that when u water to water until some comes out the drainage holes. Is this correct?
I am very thankful for this forum . I need all of your input to help me grow my baby bonsai.
Thanks to all.

P. afra can take the outdoor heat as long as you introduce it to those conditions gradually. Place it in the shade for a week to let it acclimate before moving it to full sun (outdoor shade is brighter than most residential grow lights). It would probably be best if it's 1st day outside wasn't the hottest day or the year or a stormy day (since it seems like overwatering may be the issue, otherwise a dreary day wouldn't be terrible). Leave it outside overnight. Bring it inside for the winter when overnight lows start to reach 10C (50F). Don't move indoors and outdoors repeatedly - plants get confused by this.
I've grown a lot of succulents (at 1 point I had 50 different pots in my apartment). I've had a few P. afra and found them to be more sensitive to over and underwatering than most succulents. Make sure it is in a freely draining soil - when you water it the water should start draining out of the bottom of the pot within 1-2 seconds if the pot is around 10cm (5in) tall. Give it a chance for all of the water to drain out - it should never sit in standing water. If the soil it is in is not 'freely draining' , there are things you can do.

Thanks so much!
I will try this with watering. I do have a tray underneath with stones to catch any water that drains out.
Someone suggested not using a gauge. Are gauges not accurate? I guess I don't trust my own judgement with the finger method of checking if it's dry. I know a lot of this is learning and soon won't be an issue . I'll look back and wonder why I was so paranoid.
I am known as the bonsai killer in my house, so this time I am reading a lot, researching and reaching out to those more experienced than i.
I am starting with a bonsai that is some what easy and hope to eventually have more.
I've kept an umbrella bonsai alive for years now but I've read they are pretty much indescribable. That one is so overgrown. I just repotted that one, trimming back later once it settles in.