Btw, changes in your trees situation can directly stress and impact it's health. Try to make sure that the light level it receives now is the same as before your move (along with most other factors, such as wind, shade,etc). However, if the branches are becoming brittle then you may have it in too much sun, or not be watering enough.
For the record also, bonsai do need fertilizers (as they do not receive the nutrients they need from the soils they are usually potted in (when potted correctly anyway), however autumn is not the time to fertilize in most cases (if you feel you must though, stay away from those with nitrogen in them, which is better for your tree in the spring and can lead to toxic levels of nitrogen in the soil over the long haul of winter).
Also, if you cannot find a cause for your trees ailment, go over it with a light and a magnifying glass and make sure that you haven't picked up any insect infestations (some can be pretty small to the eye, especially if you aren't looking directly for them). If you have, try a systemic insecticide (one that's taken up through the roots and works from the inside out).
If it's not that, another option is that your tree may be suffering from any of a number of vitamin deficiencies. Just as with humans, trees can suffer from vitamin deficiencies. You should be able to pick up a bottle of Superthrive (yes, that's the brandname) at any garden center or hardware store, but go easy on it, the stuff is very potent. If you need any other help just post again and we will try to help. That's what we're here for after all.
Oh, one last comment, take everything anyone here (myself included) says with a grain of salt. We all have our own ways of doing things and our own opinions (and they don't always match up). In the end, do what YOU feel is right for you tree.
I read online somewhere else too that inconsistent watering could be the cause of brittleness, and I know I left for a weekend and the soil was too dry when I came back (the humidity dropped like crazy while I was gone), but it hasn't been dry since then and there's been no improvement. When my parents are here next weekend, I'll have them take me out for a fertilizer/magnifying glass/Superthrive-hunt. Thanks for your help. I'll definitely post again if I have more questions...
For the record also, bonsai do need fertilizers (as they do not receive the nutrients they need from the soils they are usually potted in (when potted correctly anyway), however autumn is not the time to fertilize in most cases (if you feel you must though, stay away from those with nitrogen in them, which is better for your tree in the spring and can lead to toxic levels of nitrogen in the soil over the long haul of winter).
Also, if you cannot find a cause for your trees ailment, go over it with a light and a magnifying glass and make sure that you haven't picked up any insect infestations (some can be pretty small to the eye, especially if you aren't looking directly for them). If you have, try a systemic insecticide (one that's taken up through the roots and works from the inside out).
If it's not that, another option is that your tree may be suffering from any of a number of vitamin deficiencies. Just as with humans, trees can suffer from vitamin deficiencies. You should be able to pick up a bottle of Superthrive (yes, that's the brandname) at any garden center or hardware store, but go easy on it, the stuff is very potent. If you need any other help just post again and we will try to help. That's what we're here for after all.
Oh, one last comment, take everything anyone here (myself included) says with a grain of salt. We all have our own ways of doing things and our own opinions (and they don't always match up). In the end, do what YOU feel is right for you tree.
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When my parents are here next weekend, I'll have them take me out for a fertilizer/magnifying glass/Superthrive-hunt.
Thanks for your help. I'll definitely post again if I have more questions...
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