What is wrong with my Wisteria?

Question

My dad gave me this Bonsai wisteria about a month ago, it just had it´s annual pruning and came with a tiny white fly infestation. I Raid the white fly and fertilised with triple 17. it was doing great, blooming and thriving as you can see in photo 1. Then we had a heat wave and some of the leaves died from it so i moved it to a place in my patio where it has more shade. Now the leaves are dying from top to bottom, and i can´t see any new leave blooms, can you guys help me with some tips? Thank you in advance :)

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

hmm...are you saying you used RAID bug spray? Did the label say it was ok to use on plants? How long ago did you do that?

Roberto De Uslar Alexander · Answer

Yes it´s Home and Garden Raid bug spray, it does say it´s safe for plants, and this was 3 seeks ago when it first came home.

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

Can you remember if you water the plant during the heat of the day with a water hose that might have been in the sun heating up at any point? It really looks like a burn of some kind, either chemical or with water that is too hot.

Roberto De Uslar Alexander · Answer

I always water them late at night, and the hose is stored in a shaded area, i do agree seems like they are burnt, and the day we had the big heat wave most of the leaves where withered down, i did water it as usual and some died. What is strange for me is that i can´t see any new growth ever since, and has me worried.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

I think you're always supposed to use a very diluted form of fertilizer on bonsai.

Catherine Smith · Answer

It looks like pesticide burn. The Raid may not have been the best choice, since these type of trees seem to be super sensitive in this form. You may want to take some sample leaves to your local extension agent for help with this. I would keep deep watering this baby to help it recover, and I'm with Douglas. I'd go to a fish emulsion type fertilizer which is easy to dilute and good for many types of plants. Also consider using some more organic methods to deal with insect problems. It is not necessary to 'nuke' things like whiteflies. They are annoying but controllable.

Roberto De Uslar Alexander · Answer

I´m sure it was not the fertilizer, i´ve been using the same one in the same ammount for years, we´ve kept Bonsai trees for about 30 years now. Usualy we use organic fertilizer on the normal cicle of the trees, but we do the triple 17 after yearly prunning since the trees need the boost. That´s why i´m thrown off by this, i´ve never had a wisteria though, i always wanted one so i´m not familiar with their needs. Here are some photos of the rest of my trees they are all doing fine hence the stupid white fly that the wisteria brought.

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

You have obviously taken wonderful care of your bonsai. I understand your frustration with the wayward Wisteria. I do think it was either heat stress or chemical burn from the raid, maybe in combination. I too am worried that it has not put on new growth. I think at this point all you can do it keep her watered, sheltered and hope for the best. I would not add more fertilizer. She may yet recover, plants have a remarkable will to survive and Wisteria is a tough old gal. Good luck and let us know her health status.

Roberto De Uslar Alexander · Answer

Thanks Donna, I´m guessing it was too the bad timing with the Raid and the heat, i cant figure it out otherwise, I´ve been reading a lot about Wisteria in the past days and i think i got all her requirements covered. I´ll change her soil in case it was the fertilizer and keep her extra watered even her leaves and hope to see new growth soon. Thank you all for your input.

Catsrule · Answer

A safer idea to help get rid of the bugs is to cover the base of the plant so the dirt doesn't fall out then, turn the plant over and swish the leaves and stems in a mild soap and water solution. Rinse in cool water and let dry before putting it back in the sun. Do this one to two times per week and the bugs will be gone in no time at all.

Roberto De Uslar Alexander · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.

Linda T · Answer

You are lucky I saw this. My niece is a professor of botany and agriculture, so I asked her.

Roberto De Uslar Alexander · Answer

Thank you @Linda T :D

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