indoor bonsai instructions

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Posted by admin | Posted in Bonsai | Posted on 01-04-2010

How can I tell if my bonsai tree is healthy?

I'm particularly concerned with leaf color. Specifically, the tree is a Hawaiian Umbrella Tree (an indoor bonsai). Some leaves are thick ovals with a dark, rich green color and some are thinner, less defined ovals with a very light green color. I would assume the light green leaves are not as healthy, but those are found primarily at the top, while the dark green ones are found near the bottom, so I'm not sure if that is just how the plant develops.
Also, should I pick off unhealthy looking leaves?
Lastly, it is called an indoor bonsai, but the instructions mention leaving it outside in the spring, summer and fall. I'm not sure if these instructions are specific to my tree. Is it okay if it stays inside, by a window, perhaps?

Your tree sounds like its fine. Schefflera arboricola is the proper name for your tree in case you need to look up anything else.

The new growth on these is always a much lighter green color. They will also be smaller and not as well defined in shape. If it is a young plant, most all of the new growth will be at the top. You'll eventually see the same kind of growth from developing branches.

The Schefflera is a tropical plant. That is why it is called an "indoor" bonsai. It needs to be protected from temperatures much below 50 degrees F. All plant grow best outdoors. It's where they live So if you can, and as the weather allows, keep you plant outside. Just keep it out of full direct sun, it can't handle that. Also know it will dry out much faster outdoors.
Indoors will be OK for the tree. I would try to keep it in a bright location. One way to tell if it is doing OK inside would be to watch for "elongation" or "leggy" growth. This happens when the plant is not getting enough light. The spaces between the leaf stems (called "nodes") will get longer and longer as it reaches up for more light. While this is not really that bad, it doesn't help with keeping the bonsai style.

Also, as the leaves get older and the plant develops, the leaves will eventually die off as the "trunk" of the tree forms. First they will turn yellow, then brown, then fall off. This is normal, as long as it's not happening to the entire plant. You'll find that new branches will develop from where the leaf stems came out from the trunk.