Is My Juniper Bonsai Ok?

[Jinsen_016]

Hi all,

I received my bonsai around Christmas time. I have been trying to water it just enough so that it doesn’t get too wet (usually about once a week or so.) The tree seems to be doing alright as there is new growth on the side facing the window. However, the side not facing the sun is having less growth.
Last night, I was inspecting the bottom dish below the tree and I found two large Nematodes wiggling around in the standing water. I immediately washed out the dish and later cleaned with Isopropyl alcohol.
QUESTIONS
1. Should I turn my bonsai periodically so all the sides get sun?
2. Should I be worried about the nematodes and repot or something?
3. Is my bonsai OK??
I’ve attached some pictures of it below

 

[SeanS]

Are you keeping it inside?

 

[Jinsen_016]

Yes by an east facing window

 

[SeanS]

Yes by an east facing window

Can you put it outside?

 

[Yugen]

Junipers belong outside. They will die inside.

Foliar growth will always be stronger where there is more light.

That procumbens juniper needs to be reported into better bonsai soil. With better soil it should be watered daily. Dependingn your location, it's getting late to repot but in my experience junipers are hardy and tough when repotting.

Despite all that, the foliage actually looks pretty vibrant, save that I only see a small amount of fresh hyper green new growth. This tells me that the tree is strong enough to be repoted and put it outside. Morning sun, afternoon shade if you can.

 

[Warlock]

Yep.. It needs to be outside

 

[Lazylightningny]

Is that sphagnum moss or roots? If moss, then it doesn't appear to have any roots.

 

[Jinsen_016]

It’s moss it came with the tree but died shortly after

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@SeanS
Juniper procumbens is very cold hardy, it would be quite happy outdoors all year round in Johannesburg, SA. If you have no frost threatening it can go outside now. Once it has been outdoors for about 8 weeks it will develop enough cold tolerance that it will be fine even with a frost.

Don't put it on the ground, keep it on a bench, table, shelf or otherwise up off the ground, you will have fewer problems with pests outdoors if it is not on the ground. Once outside the frequency at which it will need water will change dramatically. Check to see if it needs water daily, water only when it needs it.