New guy here, looking for Juniper advise

[nash2000]

Hi all
I've always loved bonsai but never had a tree, I was planning on picking up a Ficus this summer but decided to wait until next year...however, when I returned home from work today my brother surprised me with a Juniper, which is my favorite tree. I was completely unprepared for this gift so I dusted off my Bonsai books and went to town. I have a few concerns about the trees condition, at first glance it looks nice but after closer inspection there appears to be some browning on the tree, I'm not sure if this is an issue with over or lack of water (I received the tree pre-watered and I haven't applied any water myself as of yet) or is it normal for this time of year? My next concern is winter storage. I live in Maine (zone 5b) and I've read that during dormant periods the tree could live in my unheated garage but I was told that was false today. I've heard about cold boxes but not quite sure what they are or if it's necessary with my fairly young Juniper. I have more questions but I'd like to start out with the browning issue and winter storage. Thank you.

 

[Kevster]

Was the juni purchased from a place that kept it inside? A lot of times with junipers bought from places where they keep them inside is their health diminishes while inside but they look healthy.
A juniper can be dead months in advance before it shows and this happens when kept improperly.

But from the way that dirt looks (is it potting soil) I'd say it has been kept WAY to wet. Right now you only need to water it when it is almost dry as it is going to be going dormant and will be using much less water.
In the spring I'd change the soil to something much better draining.

Oh and I know the moss and stones look nice but they are just making things worst right now by holding more water in the soil. Give it some air to dry out.

Maybe someone else will chime in with more advise.

 

[nash2000]

Was the juni purchased from a place that kept it inside? A lot of times with junipers bought from places where they keep them inside is their health diminishes while inside but they look healthy.
A juniper can be dead months in advance before it shows and this happens when kept improperly.

But from the way that dirt looks (is it potting soil) I'd say it has been kept WAY to wet. Right now you only need to water it when it is almost dry as it is going to be going dormant and will be using much less water.
In the spring I'd change the soil to something much better draining.

Oh and I know the moss and stones look nice but they are just making things worst right now by holding more water in the soil. Give it some air to dry out.

Maybe someone else will chime in with more advise.

Thanks for the reply. This tree was actually bought from a "moving vendor" once in a while over here we see vans setup shop in random parking lots, that is where my tree was bought from. I heard of the man yesterday, drove over and all of his trees seemed pretty healthy, my brother picked this tree out so i hope he didn't waste his money. I'm not sure of the soil and it does seem more wet than it should, I think the vendor watered a little too much. Right now I have the tree on my porch, I don't think I'll dry out too well with these 40 degree nights...should i bring it in?

 

[Kevster]

No leave it outside. Temperature does dry soil wind is really the huge factor. Leave it outside where it will get some sun.

 

[berobinson82]

Some of the folks on this forum have as much experience as I do life! The advice will flow freely from these amazing members of bnut.

But I wanted to say, welcome to the addiction! As a fellow neophyte, I'd like to say that you are wise to focus on the horticulture rather than asking about wiring and trimming. I think you'll do well.

 

[nash2000]

Some of the folks on this forum have as much experience as I do life! The advice will flow freely from these amazing members of bnut.

But I wanted to say, welcome to the addiction! As a fellow neophyte, I'd like to say that you are wise to focus on the horticulture rather than asking about wiring and trimming. I think you'll do well.

Thanks you, I can honestly say I have no interest at this time in or how to prune or train my tree...that will come int time, what I'm interested in is how to help keep my tree alive. I feel bad for my tree, this gift was 100% unexpected and I really home I'm not in over my head.
Looking at my picture...does anyone feel that I need to trim some or all of the browning, or should i just leave it be for the most part and let it dry out?

 

[JudyB]

You should only remove brown parts that are really dead. Looks like there is some brown on some lower parts that could be parts that were too shaded, and died out.
If you keep a wooden skewer or chopstick in the soil, and pull it out to check if it's dry or wet every day, only water when it's going to the dry side.
You should be able to keep it outside all winter, just shield it from sun once it gets really cold, you could dig it into the ground, but that's not needed. The most important thing is to protect it from winter winds. Also once it freezes, don't water when it's frozen, if you can heap snow on it great! Snow is a wonderful blanket.
When spring rolls around, hopefully you'll have read up on enough information to repot, and know what to do with it...
Welcome.

 

[bonsaibp]

Welcome to the site and the world of little trees.
The little bit of browning is not a problem, I'd be more worried about the yellowish color of the foliage. Where do you live? Not specifically but city and state so we can help you with what if any winter protection it needs. It should be outside 24-7 but may need some winter protection .The main thing between now and next spring is to control the watering, let it get pretty dry before watering then water thoroughly and let it dry again before watering.

 

[nash2000]

Welcome to the site and the world of little trees.
The little bit of browning is not a problem, I'd be more worried about the yellowish color of the foliage. Where do you live? Not specifically but city and state so we can help you with what if any winter protection it needs. It should be outside 24-7 but may need some winter protection .The main thing between now and next spring is to control the watering, let it get pretty dry before watering then water thoroughly and let it dry again before watering.

I live in Maine (zone 5b I believe) last night it got down to freezing which I was suprised at, and right now its around 50 degrees. My tree is resting on my deck so it gets the most sun light. Can I keep it on the deck all winter? It gets pretty cold up here. And what about the yellowing?

 

[bonsaibp]

You'll need to give it some added protection-I'm in So. CA so I'm not the one to tell you how to best do that but someone from one of those cold places will I'm sure. Control the water and repot next spring and you won't have to worry about the yellowing- its most likely from too much water so controling that will help. Repotting in better soil will be even more help in avoiding that in the future.

 

[nash2000]

You'll need to give it some added protection-I'm in So. CA so I'm not the one to tell you how to best do that but someone from one of those cold places will I'm sure. Control the water and repot next spring and you won't have to worry about the yellowing- its most likely from too much water so controling that will help. Repotting in better soil will be even more help in avoiding that in the future.

I'm currently allowing it to dry out, than I'll use the chop stick method. I also plan on repotting in the spring, I hope the current soil mix will be OK until spring. I've read a few ways of protection from winter, cold fame, unheated shed/garage and basically placing it straight in the ground. I'm not sure if those are necceccary, if they are, which one is better.

 

[JudyB]

I don't have any juni's currently, I used to have one here in Ohio that I only protected from winds, and it did fine. You would do fine to place it up against your foundation, and mulch it in, I would think. You can dig the pot into the ground, but give it some gravel for drainage on the bottom of the hole. Place it out of the sun, and wind. You don't need to do this until it's staying pretty darn cold. Hopefully someone more in tune with junis, will come and say something.

 

[nash2000]

I've heard of the mulch deal but I don't really understand it. I'm sure I'll get quite a few good ideas here has the days go on. I think I'll be fine as far as watering goes but I'm not too sire about fertilizer. Do I need to fertilize or am I good until spring?

 

[nash2000]

I just got home from work, my tree seems OK...pretty much the same as the day I got it (yesterday) but it still seems pretty wet (moist) I figured it would have dried more than it has since today got to nearly 60 degrees. Should I be concerned or will it be OK ina few days? I'm not ready to repot but if its life or death than I will.

 

[JudyB]

You will worry that poor tree to death...
Relax a little, it will eventually dry out some. Better not to fiddle with roots when you are unsure, and heading quickly into winter. When trees slow down in the fall, and the temps lower, there is less water uptake, so they do stay moist longer. Just don't water until it needs it.

 

[nash2000]

You will worry that poor tree to death...
Relax a little, it will eventually dry out some. Better not to fiddle with roots when you are unsure, and heading quickly into winter. When trees slow down in the fall, and the temps lower, there is less water uptake, so they do stay moist longer. Just don't water until it needs it.

Sounds good, I'll just keep an eye on it for a while. What about fertilizer...is it still needed at this point?

 

[bonsaibp]

No fertilizer or anything else. For now just let it dry and only water when dry-that's all. In the meanwhile you can study up on Juniper procumbins nana which is what you have.

 

[nash2000]

No fertilizer or anything else. For now just let it dry and only water when dry-that's all. In the meanwhile you can study up on Juniper procumbins nana which is what you have.

That's exactly what I've been doing, reading as much as I can...I already purchaced a nice book over the summer called "The Bonsai workshop" I was just checking out the tree and I believe its ordinary soil, its not like others I've seen. I guess I just have to ride it out until spring, this way I'll have a firm understanding (I hope) of roots and repotting. I was just thinking, will the brown and yellowish foilage rejuvinate or will they eventually drop and new growth will kinda sorta takes its place?

 

[bonsaibp]

The yellowish green will rejuvenate, the brown needles you can pick off or eventually they'll drop off and most likely be replaced with new growth.
Maybe you want to get another tree or 3 so you have others besides this one to focus that enthusiasm on. It's pretty easy to love a tree to death.

 

[jkd2572]

Taking care of 5 is just as easy as taking care of one and you won't be so tempted to mess with the one so often. I'm up to about 30 now so I always have something to mess with. If your watering one its just as easy to water 5.