Juniper help!

[lyywangi]

Hi all!

First time posting here and seeking for some urgent help!

Please see attached pictures for reference.

It has been pretty hot lately in Seattle, I usually water my plants once when the sun goes down. This shimpaku has been turning brown gradually.

I repotted earlier this year around March and probably did a not so good job.

Anyway to save it based on the pictures?

Thanks in advance!

 

[queenofsheba52]

Hi lyywangi, glad you found this great site !

I don't do juniper myself, but I'm afraid yours looks pretty far gone to me. Hopefully some juni experts will chime in soon.

 

[Tycoss]

Welcome to the forum. I’m no expert on junipers, but once they are Slow to show evidence of a problem. I had one that looked similar a few years ago. It was root damage due to an overly dense potting mix. I would guess it either dried out or your soil is not draining properly. I can’t tell from the pictures. I think it may be too late for this one, but I do hope this helps.

 

[JoeH]

Its past going. Once Junipers start turning there is usually no turning back.

 

[leatherback]

The only think you can do is mist it as frequently as possible. Allow it some early morning sun. And keep out of dry hot winds. Do not let the roots dry out, but keep rather dry instead of overly wet.
Chances are slim but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[just.wing.it]

Its a goner...
You joined in 2012, and didnt post till now?....that's restraint!
Welcome to the Nut house

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Probably unlikely to save it, but it does still have a couple live shoots. Did you remove a lot of roots at repotting? Did you wire it securely into the pot? How dry is the soil when you do get around to watering it? Maybe switch to watering in the early morning, and check it again later in the day. There is nothing wrong with watering while the sun is still shining. I assume you’re keeping it outside all the time? Seattle’s climate is fine for keeping junipers outside year-round.

 

[lyywangi]

Thanks for all the replies!

This is unfortunate...we might have removed too many roots when we were repotting. I usually water them when the soil is a bit dry (appears to be in a pale ish color). However, probably did not do a good job of packing the soil mix so whenever we water, the little rocks come off at the top, does it affect the way it drains?

Also, have another two shimpaku starting to do similar things but definitely not as bad as this one is, what should I do to save those two? I will upload pictures tonight for the other ones.

Bringing them to a local Bonsai store tomorrow for someone to check it out.

 

[Johnathan]

In an event like this, would you guys recommend removing the brown foliage? Does it matter?

 

[Lazylightningny]

I've saved a lot of trees by pulling them out of the pot and planting them in the ground for a year or two. My best guess is that yours is already dead, but if it stays in that pot I can guarantee that it's dead. Ive only been doing this since 2013, but I have been able to save trees this way. It's best to catch it earlier, though.

 

[lyywangi]

I've saved a lot of trees by pulling them out of the pot and planting them in the ground for a year or two. My best guess is that yours is already dead, but if it stays in that pot I can guarantee that it's dead. Ive only been doing this since 2013, but I have been able to save trees this way. It's best to catch it earlier, though.

Interesting, won't be able to do that since I live in an apartment though Good information indeed!

 

[Lazylightningny]

Interesting, won't be able to do that since I live in an apartment though Good information indeed!

Are you keeping the plant indoors? That could be the problem. Junipers need to be outside.

 

[lyywangi]

Are you keeping the plant indoors? That could be the problem. Junipers need to be outside.

No...always outside at the balcony, just took this one inside to take pictures for this thread

 

[lyywangi]

Let's assume this is dead (still in denial stage), anyway to repurpose this or incorporate this into a new bonsai tree? which forum should I visit to learn the techniques of doing that?

 

[leatherback]

I am not sure it would be worth it. You can look at tanuki, which is what you want to do. But I am sure there are better trunks to try it with.

I would not give up just yet. Treat as described. If you have HB101 add this to your water. Not sure it really makes a difference, but as some people swear by it..

This is one that came back to me, after being dug from a field, atacked by root aphids, blown over during a storm when I was away, laying on its side for 2 weeks before I returned.. I did nt take pictures because I was sure it would be tossed. I left it in a sheltered spot though and..

In spring 2016 the first signs that it might come back are greener foliage:


2018, past recovery stage, back towards back-budding and getting foliage near the trunk:

 

[Johnathan]

I am not sure it would be worth it. You can look at tanuki, which is what you want to do. But I am sure there are better trunks to try it with.

I would not give up just yet. Treat as described. If you have HB101 add this to your water. Not sure it really makes a difference, but as some people swear by it..

This is one that came back to me, after being dug from a field, atacked by root aphids, blown over during a storm when I was away, laying on its side for 2 weeks before I returned.. I did nt take pictures because I was sure it would be tossed. I left it in a sheltered spot though and..

In spring 2016 the first signs that it might come back are greener foliage:
View attachment 205365

2018, past recovery stage, back towards back-budding and getting foliage near the trunk:
View attachment 205366

View attachment 205367

I've heard of HB101 it's like a miracle fertilizer right?

 

[leatherback]

It is some extract from conifers. Is supposed to have some aminiacids/vitamins that normally are produced by the roots. By adding it to the foliage, you get the foliage to think there are growing roots. Or so the story goes.

 

[Johnathan]

It is some extract from conifers. Is supposed to have some aminiacids/vitamins that normally are produced by the roots. By adding it to the foliage, you get the foliage to think there are growing roots. Or so the story goes.

Ooohhh I thought it was used in watering the roots. Makes sense I suppose.

 

[Johnathan]

It is some extract from conifers. Is supposed to have some aminiacids/vitamins that normally are produced by the roots. By adding it to the foliage, you get the foliage to think there are growing roots. Or so the story goes.

Wouldn't something like this be ideal for cuttings?

 

[leatherback]

Wouldn't something like this be ideal for cuttings?

Yeah. The package claims miracles on anything from cuttings to seeds. Watered or sprayed. I think you eed to wave the bottle during full moon three times over the plant to get optimal results though

That being said.. i have it and use it in cases of very weak trees. Not sure it works, but well.. So far, does not harm?