I acquired this broadleaf (Pyracantha coccinea - 10 years) about 2 weeks ago. Today I noticed that some leaves have turned yellow in the last 24-48 hours. Is this normal? What should I do in this situation to identify the root cause? Any tips are welcome. Thank you so much.
Hi Pedro, first of all it doesn’t look bad at first sight (new growth is very green and the yellowing is more on older leaves), but I understand that you want to know what causes this. How have you been watering the tree and what surroundings was it in before you bought it and where do you have the tree now? A change in climate could make it shed some older leaves.
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Thanks for the reply. Good questions. I didn’t water it on Sunday and yesterday as I was out of town.
IIRC the tree was in a shadier spot previously. Now, it’s in a place that gets more sun the entire day. I can move it to a different place to see if it helps. What do you think?
Maina via Mirai Forum <notifications@bonsaimirai.discoursemail.com> escreveu em ter., 6/05/2025 às 23:02 :
How is the water uptake of the subtrate? Does it easily go into the soil or flow over? Having pyracantha in the sun is the right place for it.
For now I’d say the tree is fine. If the yellowing worsens there might be a substrate or root problem, but the new growth looks good. If you water regularly you should be fine. And repot next spring.
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Also see this discussion: Pyracantha Health Identification
It goes into the soil during 2-3 seconds and then it starts flowing over.
Having pyracantha in the sun is the right place for it.
Should it be exposed the entire day? Also, I wonder if I should remove the yellow leafs. Thanks so much for the help
Does the water also come through the bottom of the pot? That it flows over the rim instead of flow through the substrate could be an indication of compaction.
Pyracantha do well in full sun, semi shade also okay. You can remove the yellow leaves, it creates room for light, but you don’t have to. Evergreens shed their old leaves.
There are mant care guides for extra reading, like this one: Care guide for the Firethorn Bonsai tree (Pyracantha) - Bonsai Empire
Thanks for sharing the link.
Does the water also come through the bottom of the pot?
I’ve paid more attention today and I didn’t come through the bottom. Any recommendations?
Hi Pedro, that is an indication that the substrate is very compacted and that your pot functions as one without drainage. That’s not good for the roots (both for risk of rot and for shortage of oxygen).
If it were my tree I would repot, break up the compaced substrate, not cut the roots too much, secure the tree well and keep it in the shade for two weeks. It would cause stress and maybe some more leave shedding, but in a few months it should be fine.
Thanks for the advice. I never repotted a bonsai, I’m still a newbie in this space 
is it worth waiting a little longer to see how it evolves or should I do it asap?
Maina via Mirai Forum <notifications@bonsaimirai.discoursemail.com> escreveu em sex., 9/05/2025 às 13:04 :
If the water does not exit through the drainage holes then I’d say it’s something you need to do and in that case sooner is better than later (because that gives the tree more time to recover before fall and winter). There’s no emergency, so take your time to watch a couple of videos on how to repot, get the materials and think it through. In my opinion securing the tree to the pot with wire is the most important. You don’t want it wiggling. Some people put big stones and the soil to keep it from moving. I think wiring the roots via drainage holes is best. Good luck! And feel free to ask further questions.
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You can submerge it in a bucket / tub of water for 20-30 minutes to make sure it is thoroughly wet. Do this instead of watering if still issue with water going through the soil and leaves through drainage holes.
This way you earn some time before need of repot which is anyway better in early spring. Also you can gather some more info on your type of bonsai and study some bonsai techniques before putting them into practice.
One of the best things to learn is patience
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Thanks. I’ve tried it again today and the water went through half of the drainage holes.
I’ll be away for a couple of days, so the repotting will need to wait a bit 
I’ve never heard of that approach. Is there a video or something showcasing that? Thank you
Submerging a bonsai in water, also known as soaking, is a method of watering that involves completely submerging the pot in water to ensure thorough hydration of the soil and roots. It can be particularly helpful for bonsai that are very dry or have compacted soil, ensuring that water reaches all parts of the root system.
Here’s a more detailed look at the process:
- Preparation:
Container: Use a large container, like a tub or sink, that’s big enough to completely submerge the bonsai pot.
Water: Fill the container with room temperature water (if indoor bonsai).
Position: Gently lower the bonsai pot into the water, ensuring the entire soil surface is covered.
- Soaking:
Duration: Leave the bonsai submerged for 5-10 minutes, or until you see bubbles rising to the surface, indicating that the soil is saturated.
Bubbles: Bubbles indicate that air is escaping from the soil, meaning the soil is becoming saturated with water.
- Draining and Placement:
Removal: Carefully remove the bonsai from the water bath.
Draining: Allow the bonsai to drain thoroughly, ensuring all excess water is removed.
Placement: Place the bonsai back in its usual location.
Benefits of Soaking:
Thorough Hydration: Soaking ensures that all parts of the root system are thoroughly moistened, which is important for a healthy bonsai.
Prevents Compaction: It can help to break down compacted soil, allowing water to reach all parts of the root system.
Flushes Salts: Soaking can help to flush out excess salts and minerals that may have accumulated in the soil.
Important Considerations:
Soil Type: Soaking is particularly useful for organic soils that can be difficult to hydrate properly.
Overwatering: While soaking is effective, it’s crucial to allow the bonsai to drain thoroughly and avoid leaving it in standing water, as this can lead to overwatering and root problems.
Frequency: Soaking should only be done when the soil is visibly dry and the bonsai needs hydration.
I’m sure you can find plenty of video tutorials too.
