Beginner trying to start new Juniper

[DWHorv722]

Hi There,

I am new to outdoor bonsai (have been doing it indoor for some time) and would love to start working with a Juniper Procumbens bonsai outdoors. My main question I have is if it is too late in the season for me to purchase nursery stock, repot, and get an initial style (mainly just trimming out a general shape, little to no wiring) before winter starts. I live in Chicago (5b zone) and want to make sure that the tree would have time to recover before the first freeze of the season (usually happens in Late October/November).

Thanks!

 

[darzuo]

You could purchase a tree and do an light initial styling. I wouldn't repot until spring, but it'd be perfectly fine to leave in nursery soil over winter.

 

[DWHorv722]

Okay thank you for the suggestion! I assume even though it is still in the nursery soil it would need to be protected just like other outdoor bonsai in the winter, right? Or would the soil itself provide enough protection for the roots and I just tuck it up to protect from wind when the time comes?

 

[darzuo]

My area doesn't get as cold as yours, but junipers are pretty cold-hardy. I would think they'd be fine without protection, but some protection wouldn't hurt. Maybe someone from 5b can answer

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Actually if the tree is healthy and established, one can /do serious work on junipers in the early fall. If later the tree may need additional protection, like a cold frame to have it really strong next spring.

These trees are pretty darn hardy, but would bury the pot in the ground with some bark mulch covering the media.

Cheers
DSD sends