Hi,

I have been keeping bonsai for several years, so I thought that I was experienced enough for a Japanese White Pine. However, things have not gone well. To cut a long story short, the needles have started to go brown and they are dropping. There are still some green clusters on the tree, but I’m experienced enough to now that it may already be too late to save my tree.

I don’t believe that I’ve been over watering, and after having the tree for about 8 weeks, I have only very recently give it a half dose of liquid feed. I did put it out in windy weather and I stupidly sprayed the needles with water while it was over 70 degrees F. There are buds forming, even on the clusters that are completely brown, so I don’t think all is completely lost. But of course, these buds may have died too.

Could anyone tell me what may be the problem?. I haven’t tried anything drastic, like putting it in a bowl of water, as experience has shown me that these things hardly ever work.

Perhaps I’ve been under watering? I was told to just leave the watering to the rain. Could anyone tell me how often I should be watering? It is planted in Akadma and Kyodama. This has made things more complicated for me, as this mixture always seems to feel dry.

I live in Manchester in the UK.

Best wishes
Stephen