I have 3 bonsai - one is a schefflera which I have had inside for years and it is under grow lights and doing very well. 2 are new. One is a Mini Jade that is elevated under a grow light in a glass vase full of stones and water. I think it will do fine. The third is a cascading Juniper Nana in a very tall narrow vase. I have it in a northwest window that gets 7 to 8 hours of sun every day. Is there no way that the juniper will survive inside in this window? I can put it in the basement under a grow light for winter but just wondering if the window is enough light for the rest of the year. I've only had it a few days but I know these guys will look good one day and dead the next!
Does it HAVE to be outside?
- Thread starter Sherri
- Start date
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Welcome!
The issue with growing Junipers indoors isn't about light, it's about a change in temperature. These will need a dormancy period. Unlike Chinese Elms which some people grow as semi-evergreen, Junipers must go outdoors, or yes, it will die.
mat
Chumono
A portulacaria (dwarf jade) growing in rocks & water doesn't sound like such a good idea to me, but if you're confident and it's working - go for it. They're extremely tough plants. In my experience they can tolerate, and may even like being a little dry between waterings.
I also happen to be in the "all trees should be outside camp". But others have success inside, so I'm less critical on this topic than I used to be. I haven't seen anyone posting about successfully keeping juniper inside though, so proceed at your own risk with that one. Is there some reason you can't put them outside?
I also happen to be in the "all trees should be outside camp". But others have success inside, so I'm less critical on this topic than I used to be. I haven't seen anyone posting about successfully keeping juniper inside though, so proceed at your own risk with that one. Is there some reason you can't put them outside?
Thank you so much for the welcome. Please forgive me for pushing this but this is in a hall without a radiator and would get shifts in temp. But not enough? What if I shift it to the porch in the fall? And then the basement? The foliage is still soft so I know it's still alive. I just love where it is. It's so small, I just don't know where to put it outside. Would it be okay on my porch? I didn't realize it was an outside tree -- I had several junipers before that died -- yes they were inside but I had them a long time ago and then gave up. Then I prevailed with the schefflera which is doing really well so thought I would try again. Then I started reading. No chance in the window/porch/basement?
mat
Chumono
schefflera are very different than juniper
The dwarf jade is in a pot and the water line is about an inch below the bottom of the pot. The glass vase is full of stones but I did not fill the water to the top. I think it will do great as it will be getting a lot of humidity. Is that okay? I guess a picture is worth a thousand words.
As for the juniper ... it's so small. I guess I need to figure out a place for it outside. I live in the countryside, we have a lot of land but not really a garden type area where a small pot could sit and not be knocked over by the various pets and creatures that roam around!
october
Masterpiece
Hello Sherri.. Ya, the juniper absolutely needs to be outside. These trees require plenty of full sun, air circulation and everything the outdoors has to offer. They should be out from early Spring to late Fall. Then, in winter, they need to go into a place where it is in the 30's or so degrees F. Generally anywhere from low 30's to upper 30's/low 40's is good. They need to be in basically, a moderate winter climate condition for 3-4 months. However, the exceptions would be if a tree is sick and not healthy. Also, if a tree is incredibly small, it would still need winter conditions, You would just have to monitor it more. If you have mild winters where the temps rarely, dip to the low 20's or lower, you could probably just leave it outside all winter. However, since you are from NH.. I don't think that would be possible.
Rob
Rob
Okay, tomorrow I will create an outside spot for my little bonsai. Winter will be tough though because it does get very cold here with the exception of this last winter. The basement is probably 50's in the winter but I can put it near the bulkhead with a timed grow light. Will the jade be okay inside?
mat
Chumono
Pictures are almost always helpful. In this case, it would help me figure out what the heck you're doing to this port. They don't need a lot of humidity. They're succulents, like cactus and regular jades. I would remove it from whatever water dish or tray it's sitting in (if I'm understanding the setup properly).
I bet you can use your creativity and find a safe place for these outside. Of course, things happen - squirrels, tropical storms, etc. But these are the risks most of us understand & take to keep our trees healthy & happy.
edit: you posted as i was typing.
i know you can find a place outside. & you'll definitely need to take some winter action different than me. NH probably gets really cold. basements and fluorescent lights sound like a good idea, though I'm sure others can help you more on that.
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Pictures are almost always helpful. In this case, it would help me figure out what the heck you're doing to this port. They don't need a lot of humidity. They're succulents, like cactus and regular jades. I would remove it from whatever water dish or tray it's sitting in (if I'm understanding the setup properly).
I bet you can use your creativity and find a safe place for these outside. Of course, things happen - squirrels, tropical storms, etc. But these are the risks most of us understand & take to keep our trees healthy & happy.
edit: you posted as i was typing.
I guess I was thinking of the jade as being more of a tropical than a succulent. Whoops. Okay -- they are both going outside tomorrow. But I'm keeping my schefflera inside -- it would definitely get a sunburn outside! But the jade does not need winter rest right?
milehigh_7
Mister 500,000
Sherri,
Welcome first and foremost! The thing is, everything thrives best in it's native environment. However, things can survive even thrive depending on the level of attention to detail and work that goes into mimicking the native environment. One of the things I have done back in my past was assist in developing a diet/environment for a golden lion tamarin housed in a zoo. Super difficult to keep in captivity as it turns out... It can be done however but wow the level of attention to detail is amazing.
The point is that you can keep many different kinds of trees inside but if you have a room outside where they will thrive, then that is the road you should pursue. It will make your bonsai experience more successful and therefore more fun.
Enjoy your new life in bonsai!
Welcome first and foremost! The thing is, everything thrives best in it's native environment. However, things can survive even thrive depending on the level of attention to detail and work that goes into mimicking the native environment. One of the things I have done back in my past was assist in developing a diet/environment for a golden lion tamarin housed in a zoo. Super difficult to keep in captivity as it turns out... It can be done however but wow the level of attention to detail is amazing.
The point is that you can keep many different kinds of trees inside but if you have a room outside where they will thrive, then that is the road you should pursue. It will make your bonsai experience more successful and therefore more fun.
Enjoy your new life in bonsai!
mat
Chumono
I feel as though I keep arguing against you, which definitely isn't my goal....
My scheflerra are outside in what my backyard has to offer for Florida sun - bright, hot & humid. Not saying that's where they have to be to survive, but I think that's where they'll thrive. I'm not sure if there is tougher plant than shef's. So they'll probably be okay with what you have to offer inside. I still would recommend putting them outside with your others while conditions are good.
It's great that you're looking for advice and seem to be open to it. That's a a good first step.
My scheflerra are outside in what my backyard has to offer for Florida sun - bright, hot & humid. Not saying that's where they have to be to survive, but I think that's where they'll thrive. I'm not sure if there is tougher plant than shef's. So they'll probably be okay with what you have to offer inside. I still would recommend putting them outside with your others while conditions are good.
It's great that you're looking for advice and seem to be open to it. That's a a good first step.
Hi Clyde -- thanks! Just so you know, I have 400g of saltwater in my house and I grow corals --probably about 50 different varieties. I do understand environment and growing difficult things. I did find the perfect spot for the juniper and it just went through its first rain. It looks happy! I have a deck off of the MB that may just become the bonsai deck. So see Mat -- I listened. 
I don't think there's anything horrible about a little bit of debate - arguing implies negativity and I don't want you to get frustrated with me!
I have had the schefflera for at least 6 or 7 years and it's been inside the whole time. I think it probably would enjoy being outside for the sumer but it will certainly need to be back inside a lot earlier than the juniper. I will post a picture and would love suggestions on how to develop it further. I do need help there for sure.
The juniper and jade were created by New England Bonsai out of MA and they actually label the jade as an inside bonsai. I may just go take an hour one-on-one with one of the guys there and see what to do given my location. I am contemplating keeping the jade inside and will also post a picture of where it is.
Thanks so much everyone for reading and contributing! Pictures may take me a bit as I upgraded to Lion and photoshop no longer works.
I don't think there's anything horrible about a little bit of debate - arguing implies negativity and I don't want you to get frustrated with me!I have had the schefflera for at least 6 or 7 years and it's been inside the whole time. I think it probably would enjoy being outside for the sumer but it will certainly need to be back inside a lot earlier than the juniper. I will post a picture and would love suggestions on how to develop it further. I do need help there for sure.
The juniper and jade were created by New England Bonsai out of MA and they actually label the jade as an inside bonsai. I may just go take an hour one-on-one with one of the guys there and see what to do given my location. I am contemplating keeping the jade inside and will also post a picture of where it is.
Thanks so much everyone for reading and contributing! Pictures may take me a bit as I upgraded to Lion and photoshop no longer works.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
For an interesting, somewhat contrarian viewpoint, see HOW I'VE BEEN GROWING BONSAI INDOORS UNDER FLOURESCENT LIGHT by Jack Wikle. One paragraph from this article:
Now, how about needle evergreens as fluorescent light bonsai? I have heard again and again that junipers (Juniperus spp.) cannot be grown indoors for any length of time. I know that even if I swear here that my two oldest indoor junipers have grown inside under cool white fluorescent light for 21 and 19 years respectively with no outdoor vacations, there will be those who read this and continue to assure their friends that it cannot be done. Admittedly juniper growth is slow under fluorescent light, but they survive and are healthy.
I'm not advocating this approach and have not tried it myself...I'm sure there is a significant learning curve. But I don't think it's as simple as "the juniper absolutely needs to be outside" - though that's undoubtedly the best approach for most of us.
Chris
Now, how about needle evergreens as fluorescent light bonsai? I have heard again and again that junipers (Juniperus spp.) cannot be grown indoors for any length of time. I know that even if I swear here that my two oldest indoor junipers have grown inside under cool white fluorescent light for 21 and 19 years respectively with no outdoor vacations, there will be those who read this and continue to assure their friends that it cannot be done. Admittedly juniper growth is slow under fluorescent light, but they survive and are healthy.
I'm not advocating this approach and have not tried it myself...I'm sure there is a significant learning curve. But I don't think it's as simple as "the juniper absolutely needs to be outside" - though that's undoubtedly the best approach for most of us.
Chris
tmmason10
Omono
That jade centerpiece is actually a really cool idea. It should be fine with that amount of light, they are really easy trees to grow.
Hey Chris -- I actually found that last night and did read it! Interesting approach - I think he even said that he did not give them a dormant period. My biggest problem with outside is they are much easier to enjoy when they are inside! I love just looking at them and I don't really have a sitting garden outside. A porch yes -- screened in because we are in the midst of plenty of insects. So that approach is the one I want to take with the Jade. My schefflera has been under grow lights for 6 months but I really think it might help it to give it a stint outside. It's healthy and grows a lot but maybe would do something interesting if it was outside for a bit. I've emailed NE Bonsai about a private tutorial with one of the guys.
Thanks Tom! I really like it and the fixture is perfect with the downward facing light. I think it's a 50 watt grow light and the plant is about a foot below it. I put RODI water in with the rocks to limit the algae growth. I have to use RODI water on my saltwater fish/coral system so always have plenty of that around. I also thought the jade would be a good choice for this. When it gets a bit bigger the balance will be better.
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
I think you are on the right track. Whatever you do it should NOT be moving the plants in and out and in and out. Let them stay in a spot for a while. Juniper outside until late in the fall and out again in early spring.
On the trees themselves:
I know nothing about jades, so can say nothing.
Your juniper needs a thinning out. You should be able to get glimpses of the trunk and branches along its length. As one of our legendary bonsai masters is alleged to have said some years ago: Let the birds fly through it.
Your Shefflera will do fine indoors ( but would enjoy it outside during the height of the brief summer in your area), but it seems to be suffering from too little light and is pretty leggy. A fluorescent tube placed some 6 inches overhead and left on for 13-15 hours a day should be sufficient. Then some pruning to pull the foliage in closer to the trunk and main branches will be called for.
On the trees themselves:
I know nothing about jades, so can say nothing.
Your juniper needs a thinning out. You should be able to get glimpses of the trunk and branches along its length. As one of our legendary bonsai masters is alleged to have said some years ago: Let the birds fly through it.
Your Shefflera will do fine indoors ( but would enjoy it outside during the height of the brief summer in your area), but it seems to be suffering from too little light and is pretty leggy. A fluorescent tube placed some 6 inches overhead and left on for 13-15 hours a day should be sufficient. Then some pruning to pull the foliage in closer to the trunk and main branches will be called for.
