My Bougainvillea Bonsai dropped all its leaves after I bought it due to the climate change (I think). Since then it has regrown lots of new leaves and shoots, but most of the original branches are leafless. Are they dead? Should I trim them? Help this Bonsai noob! [more inside]
posted by RobotNinja on Jun 29, 2009 - 2 answers

Looking for a gardening tool & have no idea what it is: seedling waterer? bonsai tool? It's a metal rosette like you'd see attached to a watering can, maybe 3" across, with a pencil-sized metal pipe leading to a squeezy rubber bulb on the end. [more inside]
posted by bitter-girl.com on Jun 5, 2009 - 11 answers

Any clue what might be plaguing my outdoor Japanese red maple bonsai? Immediately upon receiving it from an online retailer, it started developing brown patches on the leaves, which then curled up and died. I've tried putting it in less sun, more sun, more water, less water. It is in partial shade on a porch with daily watering now. It is still alive (green when I scrape it a bit) with few leaves intact, but I am worried that I'm about to kill a thoughtful birthday present.
posted by *s on Sep 30, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm thinking of purchasing a 'bonsai' tree for an indoor location. What species suit this and what should I know about looking after it? Given that I have legendarily 'brown fingers' with the power to destroy a photosynthesising organism at 20 paces ;( Gracias botanical mefiers...
posted by Rufus T. Firefly on Jul 28, 2007 - 11 answers

How do I know when my Bonsai tree is dead? [more inside]
posted by JPigford on Dec 11, 2006 - 10 answers

so, the person in charge of my (gardenia) bonsai while i was gone let it dry out. the branches are all still green where i scratch the bark, so i know it's not dead, but the leaves are all shriveled and faded (instead of dark, glossy and pert). i really know nothing about caring for the tree (it was a gift) but it was in great shape when i left it with buds about to open. what should i do to bring it back to good health?
posted by crush-onastick on Feb 21, 2006 - 1 answer

I've decided that I need a new hobby and am thinking that growing bonsai trees might be it. [Guess what waits inside...] [more inside]
posted by shotsy on Oct 17, 2004 - 8 answers