Help an Avid Beginner

[fletchlives4fun]

Good morning all!

I'm extremely excited to start to art/hobby of Bonsai! All helpful tips would be greatly appreciated. I currently have this juniper, that doesn't seem to be doing to well. Can anyone tell me if it's too long gone, or any tips to help revive this gal! I'm in Phoenix, so temperatures aren't drastic.

 

[fletchlives4fun]

Here's a better photo...

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Your juniper isn't looking too good. Did you have it sitting outside all of this time? Is it possible that it dried out?

 

[fletchlives4fun]

It has been outside the whole time. I did repot it about 5 days ago, which probably didn't help. I've had it for about 2 months. Thanks for your help!

 

[rockm]

How much root did you remove and how much did you disturb the root mass?

Unfortunately given the timing of the repot (out of season) and condition of the tree now it looks to me that the repot killed it. It is dead. Junipers don’t change back to greeen once they’re all brown.

Sorry

 

[fletchlives4fun]

I removed about 20% of the roots. I figured it was to far gone. I really appreciate your help!! Any recommendations for a next bonsai project?? I'm obsessed.

 

[Attmos]

I removed about 20% of the roots. I figured it was to far gone. I really appreciate your help!! Any recommendations for a next bonsai project?? I'm obsessed.

Ficus.

 

[rockm]

Get a ficus. Arizona climate makes bonsai much more difficult. (Trees should be outside all of the time except during cold spells below 45 and freezing weather in the case of tropical species.

Also slow down. Repotting is stressful and watering takes time to learn (and is likely the most critical thing you can learn living in the desert)

 

[Jrmcmich]

Junipers are great. One thing you might do initially is get a tree, two or ten but just keep them alive for first year before doing much. If you get another juniper could always throw some wire on it at appropriate time of year to get some movement but learning to water and keep alive most important thing to learn when new. Repotting in right season good to learn as well if needed or want to get tree in a “known” soil type. Just couple thoughts. Good luck and FYI - hear adding wire to junipers ideal in late summer early fall as spring time can cause issues separating bark

 

[WIlliam_Butler_Yeets]

As others mentioned, ficus is well suited to your climate, you could probably get some olives to do well, too

 

[fletchlives4fun]

So recommend keeping the plant in the nursery pot it comes in initally for the first year?

 

[WIlliam_Butler_Yeets]

So recommend keeping the plant in the nursery pot it comes in initally for the first year?

That can depend on species and when you buy the plant. If you are past the ideal repotting window for the year when you purchase the plant, then it's best to wait the rest of the year instead of risking repotting out of season, at least when you are first starting out. For a lot of species, we are approaching their repotting season now (repotting often happens late winter/early spring, before the new growth for the year has started to take off), but it's best to research information about the particular species you want as there can be some differences. Ficus are great because they do better when repotted at the height of summer. I'm planning a cutback and repot of my trident maple and a couple other things for probably the latter half of February.

 

[fletchlives4fun]

Thank you all for the amazing tips, advice, and recommendations! I will give updates!

 

[milehigh_7]

So yea, the juni does not look great. If I'm being honest, it's actually a little too hot here for most species of Juni. They might live with the right care but very difficult to get them to thrive. Also Phoenix as a great bonsai club. Here is their site Phoenix Bonsai Society There is a lot to learn about doing bonsai in the desert that quite frankly is very different than anywhere else in the country. I'm just a bit south of you in Casa Grande so I'm happy to give you pointers. I am working on a species data base and set of care sheets that when I'm done should be very helpful. Yes Ficus species do well here as there are even used as landscape. That said, direct sun in 120F+ is still too much and they do require some night time shelter in our coldest times. Anyway, feel free to DM if you have questions. I'm happy to help. You won't be limited to Ficus, there are hundreds of choices that do quite well.

 

[fletchlives4fun]

Thank you very much for reaching out and giving some tips!! Would love to chat if you're willing to answer some questions and give some tips and advice. I'm extremely excited about this new adventure. Cheers!

I currently have a Lemon Cypress, juniper (dead), Desert Rose (Adenium), Elephant Bush, and Japanese Boxwood.
I am also currently sowing and germinating Jacaranda, Locust, Pigeon Pea, and Delonix Regia. Im very surprised that I am already seeing little seedlings poping thru the topsoil!!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Try also Texas ebony, Brazilian rain tree, Brazilian ironwood. Very pretty trees with quite small compound leaves.

 

[milehigh_7]

Looks like Phoenix Bonsai Society has an Open workshop on January 21. I'll try to make it also.

 

[fletchlives4fun]

Sweet I'll do some research on them!

 

[fletchlives4fun]

I have a small nursery pot speciment (desert rose) that when watering, it seems to drain instantly. Should I keep the plant in that pot? Or new gardening soil?

 

[Wulfskaar]

I have a small nursery pot speciment (desert rose) that when watering, it seems to drain instantly. Should I keep the plant in that pot? Or new gardening soil?

Welcome!

That's usually a good thing for trees. Granular bonsai soil allows water to flow right through, while certain components hold water. Organic components and akadama can hold water while allowing fresh air into the soi. A little air, contrary to common sense, is good for roots.

Usually the problem is with water NOT flowing through fast enough.

Do you have a pic of the soil?