Help ID type of bonsai and how to care for it

[Luke]

Hello everyone !

I got this bonsai some days ago and the guy that I've got it from said that I should put some ice cubes and let them melt slowly and so to give it time to suck in the water.

The thing is that I am not so sure that he gave me the right instructions on how to take care of it.
I am seeing everyday more brown leaves, am afraid that is getting sick because of not provide the proper care.

It would really help identify what type of bonsai is and some instructions on how to take care of it.

Your advise is much appreciated

Thanks!

Lu

 

[NewWorldBonsai]

You've got a procumbens nana or a Japanese Dwarf Juniper.

Immediately place this tree outside, they cannot be grown indoor and it will continue to brown out and die indoors.

Don't use ice, it isn't necessary at all and could potentially mess with the plants cycles. Just water thoroughly until water runs out the bottom.

There are tons of articles and information on Juniper!

Good luck let us know if there is anything else you need.

 

[Luke]

Thank you very much !

 

[edprocoat]

It looks like a procumbens greenmound juniper, the advice above is spot on. Good luck with it.

ed

 

[october]

Hello Luke and welcome. Remove the ice cubes. There is no need to ever put ice cubes on the top soil of bonsai. Also, these trees do need to be outside. However, they need to go through a gradual trasition into it. Just like the trees outside go through the seasons.

I don't want to speak prematurely. However, something looks off a bit with the tree. The end of the cascade looks dry and pale. Also, while the tree does look very green, it almost looks too dark of a dry green. One thing with these trees. They can remain green for a month or longer, when in reality, the tree might be dead. I am not saying that this tree is dead. It just looks like something is off to me.

Rob

 

[Luke]

Thank you Rob, sad to know that might be dead already.

I'll read more about it online and try my best to make it be healthy

 

[KennedyMarx]

Luke, most people that get these little junipers kill them quite quickly. The seller is looking to make a quick buck and often (like almost always) markets these as "indoor bonsai" when they obviously will die when left indoors due to lack of light, bad air, humidity like a desert, no winter dormancy, etc. Like october was saying, these trees will stay green long after the root and trunk are dead. If you're unsure as to whether or not it is alive you can scratch a little on the bark of the trunk and see if it is still green underneath. If not it's dead. Don't let it discourage you if you're really interested in bonsai. There are a lot of ways to get into it much better than these little mallsai trees.

 

[Luke]

You're right KennedyMarx, I had no idea I was killing the bonsai. The guy told me that I could have it inside.

I'll have It outside from now on and check if gets better.

Should I replanted in a new pot? The one that i currently have does not have holes in the bottom


And by the way I've check already scratching a little bit... It's kinda white, but smells nice and at touch is humid

 

[october]

hmm.. No drainage holes either...Trees need draianage holes so the water flows through. If not, they get something called root rot. Basically, a tree planted in a pot with no drainage will eventually die.

You could try to find another pot. Lift the tree out gently and put it in that pot. Depending on the size, you might need to add a bit more soil. If you do not have access to any kind of bonsai soil. You could use course river sand and turface mixed or maybe even just some peat moss of some kind. Of course, these things are just if you do not have access to any kind of pre made bonsai soil. Bonsai soil really does not look like dirt. It looks like this tree is also in regular dirt. Good bonsai soil looks like gravel. Bonsai soil is made up of a variety of rocks all mixed together. For example, akadama, lava rock and pumice could make up 1 type of bonsai soil. Another combination is turface, course river sand and some organics like shredded tree bark.

Rob

 

[Luke]

Thanks again October !

I'll try to find a store here in LA where they sell the soil it needs and repot it