Hi All,

those of you with green fingers (or was it thumbs?!) could probably help me out with this one...

I bought a Zimmer-Bonsai in April 08, when I was still in Germany and the Sun still managed to make an appearance once a week (it being Germany!)... my Bonsai was doing alright with the usual keeping it damp and in a well-lit area.

However, I moved to Zurich in September... and for the last 2-3 weeks it seems to have drooped: the leaves aren't fresh, and it almost seems to be dying. I am keeping the soil moist, and spraying the leaves, and whenever the sun does shine I try and keep it in a corner where it can soak it up.

This evening I headed over to Migros to buy a bottle of fertilizer, when the lady there told me: That this is the season when plants go to sleep, and shouldn't be fertilized, at least until March next year. And that my Bonsai's reaction is perfectly normal, and it should spring back to life in Spring....

Could anybody second this advice?
Or let me know what I should be doing to save my precious bonsai?

In case you need details: It's a Metrosideros Eisenholzbaum - 10 yrs old.

thanks very much,
penny

Is the scientific name - Metrosideros robusta ?
New Zealand Iron Wood Tree...

Found a picture of the real thing here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrosideros_robusta

Supposed to be a temperate tree - not too wet, not too dry, and not too cold...

You could try here - http://www.bonsaiforbeginners.com/ke...ohutukawa.html

Thank you Swisspea, I will check out the links.

From the pictures it looks like the one I have - just without the red flowers!

hey,
never tried growing a bonsai, but I do know that if the soil if too moist it can be the perfect environment for mold and other pathogens which could cause it to lose leaves. if it is nutrient stress than you should be able to see yellowing or discoloration in the leaves.

Hi, I am (were) a Bonsai spacialist. A diagnosis from a far is very difficult but I see the main problem. Your Bonsai isn't a indoor Bonsai. As you can see from the links the others sent you, this is a mediterrean plant and so the tree would normally have a "light" winter rest wich means the tree should have a palce with a tempratur between 5 to max. 10C. and a light place, in this time of year. In many cases it is a problem to provide this kind of location. And watch out while the tree tries to become a state of winter rest it woun't need the same amount of water while the whole cycel is slow down...
I hope this might help you in some sort of way.. I'm dyslexic and english is just a second lang. to me, so I hope you'll get my key message of this reply. I'm sorry in advance for all mistakes I but down in words (grammer) here.
If you have any more quest. don't hesitate to contact me.

Hello CAm and Easy,

thanks for your replies... I guess my Bonsai has gone to sleep, will keep doing the minimum spraying and keep it in the light so it can last through the winter.

thanks again!