Hi Everyone,

I have been a happy owner of a ~4 years old Carmona (Fukien Tea Tree) for the third month. It has been thriving since I got it, I've been using a bottom-up watering approach to avoid over-watering and have been spraying bits of water on top at the same time. No issues, the tree has been thriving, looking quite happy and healthy.

Having learned that it's recommended to fertilise the bonsai even during the winter time, I've bought a bonsai-fertiliser and decided to fertilise my little tree for the very first time last week. I've carefully read the water/fertiliser ratio and used a measuring cup to ensure the right dose. I've used the same bottom-up approach and also decided to water the tree from the top.

Not long after, the poor tree's leaves started turning brown, have dropped a lot of its leaves and is generally looking sad. (Leaves going down as opposed to held up).

I'm puzzled at this point what could have caused the issue here, as the change has happened so quick that I'm not sure it could have been caused by funghi and the only thing that I had done differently this time was the fertiliser. Please see the attached pictures and let me know if you have an idea what could have happened and most importantly, what I could do to save the little one.

Thank you in advance,
Attila

PS: Posting pictures of the healthy tree a few weeks back (10th. February) and its current state (20th Feb).

There are no photos atached.

But generally:

Dieing carmonas is the most frequent topic in this forum and nobody here knows how to save them.

I do not think your issue is due to fertilizing if you followed the recomendated dose.

Bonsai is always watered from the top to bring oxygen to the roots. Bottom watering just do not do that good enough.

attilagyorffy wrote:

I've been using a bottom-up watering approach to avoid over-watering and have been spraying bits of water on top at the same time.

Having learned that it's recommended to fertilise the bonsai even during the winter time, I've used the same bottom-up approach and also decided to water the tree from the top.

Bottom-up watering probably works only with organic substrate or with a high organic content and if the excess water will be removed after a short time (approx. 30 minutes !?), but if you watered also from the top ,... you can also dive it ?!
Where you learned to fertilise a bonsai in the wintertime ??
If your Bonsai grows in wintertime you can fertilise a bit (mayby 20% of the normal dose) if it not grows , ... i wouldn't fertilize it .

Apologies, CAPTCHA validation got in the way and eventually I've submitted the message without attachments.

Where I volunteer, we fertilise during wintertime as well, but could be different to you due to colder climate.