hi everyone my name is matt and im new to the list
and i have a question for anyone who knows anything
about privets or ligustrum anyway i bought one about a
month ago in northeast arkansas and brought it back to
southwest kansas well it started to shed leaves and i
dont know what to do because i think it is a japenese
privetbut if it is this is a sirious problem. thank
you

It is a Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) if its leaves are
glossy and dark green, almost black-green (as Dirr says).
Usually their leaves are a bit big for bonsai -- other than
larger ones -- up to 4".

However, they ARE evergreen, so losing leaves -- even at this
time of year -- indicates a problem.

I have no experience with THIS species of Ligustrum, but here are
some notes on privet:

1. They belong outdoors all year long except in the coldest
(well below freezing for weeks at a time) climates.
2. They do NOT like soggy roots. Once-a-day watering, except in
the driest of climates, will do them in. 3. Of course, too dry
will also, but they can withstand drought longer. Water when the
soil feels dry.
4. They tend to get whitefly (and therefore, sooty mold -- which
would be harder to spot on this species with such dark leaves
[look for dull black patches]). But I suspect it's a bit late
for whiteflies in Kansas.

What happens before the leaves fall? Do they turn yellow and
fall? Do they wither, turn brown or black and fall?

Give us some idea of where you are keeping the tree, how you are
watering, whether you've sprayed, and how and when you have
fertilized.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The phrase
'sustainable growth' is an oxymoron. - Stephen Viederman

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