New to Bonsai, help appreciated

[markdbruce]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to Bonsai and would appreciate some help.
I was giving a beautiful looking tree for Christmas and have tried my
best to look after it, firstly, does anyone know what kind of tree it is?
Will upload some pictures after this post.
I have been watering the tree every morning before I go to work,
not saturating the tree but watering the base with about half a cup full.
It started to bloom with fresh new growth (picture) and was putting the tree on a stool by the window which gets the most light throughout the day.
I was also spraying mist onto the leaves every other evening.
Now three thirds of the original leaves have shriveled and fell off,
reading numerous bonsai sites, I think I have been over watering it, even though the fresh growth hasn't shriveled and dropped, I am hoping the tree
is still alive.
What I have been doing now is submerging the pot up to the trunk in water
for 10-15 minutes, allowing the excess water to drain out and placing back
on the drip tray and doing so every 4 to 6 days, depending on how dry
the soil feels, again this is going off what the sites I've been on have said.
Also I have noticed I have little flies on the tree which I believe are aphids,
I have been gently spraying the soil with insecticide to rid them but don't
want to damage the tree in the process.
I have only just joined this site half hour ago and would very much
appreciate any and all help and advice as to if the tree will survive, as I
would very much love it to flourish and remain healthy.
I think I have covered everything but if anyone has any questions I will do
my best to answer.

[markdbruce]

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/101_0250-1.jpg[/img]
Full picture

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/101_0259-1.jpg[/img]
Leaves are falling off

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/101_0255-1.jpg[/img]
New growth

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/101_0253-1.jpg[/img]
Base of tree

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/101_0257.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/101_0260.jpg[/img]
Fresh growth before leaves fell off

[JTred]

First off, welcome to the forum. You have a nice looking tree, and I think it will be just fine. The fact that you are willing to do research online is great, many people come on here without ever having done a single Google search.

I have been watering the tree every morning before I go to work,
not saturating the tree but watering the base with about half a cup full.
-------------------------------------------------
What I have been doing now is submerging the pot up to the trunk in water
for 10-15 minutes, allowing the excess water to drain out and placing back
on the drip tray and doing so every 4 to 6 days, depending on how dry
the soil feels, again this is going off what the sites I've been on have said.

This is good, I'm glad you changed your watering method. As you have probably read, when watering, you should completely saturate the soil, and not water again until dry. You are on the right track.

Also I have noticed I have little flies on the tree which I believe are aphids,
I have been gently spraying the soil with insecticide to rid them but don't
want to damage the tree in the process.

If they have wings they are probably not aphids. My guess is they are fungus gnats, most likely from the soil being constantly wet. They aren't exactly, bad, but who wants flies around their trees? You can try spraying them with a mild soap (not detergent, try ivory soap) and water mixture, or you can try using neem oil. Anyhow, I think your tree will be just fine, and I look forward to seeing more posts from you.

-Jack[/quote]

[markdbruce]

Thank you for the speedy reply,
any help and advice is greatly appreciated.
So you are saying the gnats won't hurt the tree?
But it is still advisable to remove them as I've used insecticide,
but they remain, about two I've spotted so fair.
Though I didn't drench the tree in insecticide,
just gave the tree and base a light spraying.

Here's what the tree looked like when I first received it,
would love to get it back to it's former health/look:

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/IMG_0158.jpg[/img]

Also I have looked on a lot of identification posts to try and find out what
kind of tree it is, but still unsure.
Is it a Chinese Elm or a ficus or fukien?
The leaves look similar but am unsure, do you have an idea as to it's ID?

[Gnome]

Mark,

Is it a Chinese Elm or a ficus or fukien?
The leaves look similar but am unsure, do you have an idea as to it's ID?

I feel fairly certain that none of the species that you mention are correct. Chinese Elms are obviously serrated, Ficus grow in an alternate pattern while yours is opposite and Fukien Tea have a distinct 'notched' leaf tip.

Sorry to say that I cannot positively ID it though. One possibility that comes to mind is Liqustrum or Privet. You also might want to take a look at this thread from one of you fellow countrymen.

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32958

Norm

[markdbruce]

The tree on your link looks similar,
and I Google'd Liqustrum bonsai an saw a lot of similar trees,
so I'm taking it as that.

I have another pot, slightly bigger and some bonsai soil.
Would it benefit my tree if I re-potted it with some fresh soil?
Also have some bonsai food that mixes with clean water.

[img]https://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/markdbruce/101_0261.jpg[/img]

[JustinBoi]

I'm proud to hear that you have somewhat identified the Bonsai you have.
In your photo before this post, your plant looks like it's in great condition.
Atleast from my point of view.
Others may differ with my opinion on repotting since I am also newer to Bonsai.
But I think you should atleast wait until before summer.
The best time of year for re-potting is in spring, before the flush of new summer growth.
Good luck,
Justin.

[markdbruce]

Thank you for all your help,
it is greatly appreciated.
I will leave the tree in it's existing pot and continue til summer,
and have a look them.

Many thanks for the replies.