Question
QUESTION: Hello, I was just wondering if you had any thought/insight about a portulacaria afra (elephant's bush?) I have... it is amongst my bonsai collection, but is in a slightly large pot for bonsai... plant is about 8-10 inches tall 1" thick at base of trunk, pot is approx. 5" deep by 4" by 7" with slightly bowed sides... it is the pot I got it in about three years ago, I repotted it about 6 weeeks ago, soil is very coarse, sandy/gravel mixed w/normal potting soil (65/35). The plant was dropping otherwise healthy leaves and getting very light green in color, this prompted me to repot(same pot/new dirt/gentle root trim) and the tree does not drop leaves now and is looking closer to original nice, deep green leaves.  The growth habit has become very spindly though, and it seems to prefer shooting new growth out the ends instead of back-budding some nice bushy foliage as I would prefer to maintain the bonsai illusion.  I am torn between a severe pruning and just leaving it alone... and/or does this sound like over/under watering or not enough light?

ANSWER: Brad,

You did not say how much light it gets or how often you water or fertilize. I would suggest it may be a mix of not enough light, water or fertilizer. Porous soil has few nutrients and needs more fertilizer. Increase the fertilizer, water and light and it may solve all your problems. Where are you located? Are you a member of a bonsai club? Most clubs are very educational, I am president of the one in Fort Wayne, IN and I highly reccommend membership. Good luck with your portulacaria.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It gets good, strong light in the morning and indirect afternoon. I live in the Rockies in Summit County Colorado... near Breckenridge and Vail.  My house is a studio with just one huge window/patio door that faces east to south-east.  I feed once a month in the spring/summer, probably half that in the fall/winter.  So far I've just been using a 'cactus/succulent' liquid diluted with water with 'superthrive' added, I've been watering only as leaves start to show some wrinkling... maybe this is too little water?  I've been operating under the assumption that it is much like a jade, of which I've had better luck with less water compared to too much... perhaps I was wrong in this assumption?  Overall it sounds like your recommendation is increased light/water/fertilizer and patience?  I have a flourescent 'plant & aqaurium bulb' under a kitchen cabinet, does placing it under this do any good, or is it just a gimmicky bulb?  I suppose I may have to invest in some real greenhouse type lighting to increase light for my plants since I have just the one window/exposure situation? Thank you much for your time and thoughts.

Answer
Brad,

Increase your feeding to twice a month because of the porous soil mix you are using and water at least weekly. The flourescent 'plant & aqaurium bulb' under your kitchen cabinet would be fine for it. If you want to try other lighting a 2 bulb flourescent fixture with 1 cool white bulb and 1 warm white bulb will work well and is available at WalMarts or Lowes. Position this no more tham 12 inhes above the tops of your plants and keep it on 14-16 hour a day on a timer. Attacch this to a sawhorse to set over a group of plants. However, if your portulacaria is close to your large window it should get adequate light if there is no window covering so it gets natural light all day. I still suggest that if you really want to get involved with bonsai you should seek out a bonsai club in your area. I know there are some in the Denver area. Good luck!

Darlene