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Question: Need help/advice about my juniper bonsai tree?

(Posted by: xPixiex on 2010-03-01 15:06:04)

Hello everyone and thanks in advance from those who have any suggestions or helpful information: I live in Northeast Ohio, and of course it's winter. I purchased my bonsai last summer, and have had no issues at all. Recently in the past month, my tree has been turning brown. I have watched how much water I've given it, and checked it with a toothpick. I have tried taking the tree outside and keeping it in the garage near a window where it would be cold but safe from the wind. In an attempt to let it go through it's winter months. It hasn't been in direct sunlight, which I fear may be a cause due to it not being very sunny out the last few days. There's snow on the ground, and I have got suggestions about putting it out in the open where the snow may fall on it and that be the source of water and help it through the winter. I have not tried this in fear I would kill the tree even further. I just recently brought it back in the house because it seemed to have been doing worse outside than it was inside. Today I just repotted my bonsai in hopes that it'll help it. When I took the tree out of the old pot, the roots seemed dry, but bendy. There is green on the stop of the tree but, it's been getting lighter and lighter, while the ends of the branches become browner. A lot of the small green needles have been breaking off, the tree seems really brittle. But, there are parts of it that are bendy. I am honestly at a loss about what to do further about my tree. I really don't want it to die. It's my first one, and I know that it is 3 years old. I will take a picture and post it when I get the chance later today. If anyone could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. I fear that my bonsai may be dead Or close to it.

Posted by: sciencegravy on 2010-03-01, 15:13:39

Don't worry about sun in winter. Evergreens do hold their needles in winter -but they are still dormant. The best place I saw for overwintering temperate-climate bonsai is in a basement window well, and then covered with mulch. Another option would be the east side of your house or garage, to protect them from winter winds, and again, mulching them over. In early March, you can dig them out and show them to the sun again. The color change might be normal. Some junipers turn rusty, or lighter in winter. If you tree is not brittle, and it hasn't been inside so long that it's started its new spring growth, I would put it outside again. Plop some snow on it. If the roots aren't dead, it could still bounce back. When you see the new growth in the spring, give it some weak fertilizer. Come late spring, if it hasn't started growing, or has simply turned brown, replace it. Late next fall, put it to bed outside where its protected from winter winds, and with mulch to insulate the rootball. It's okay if the whole plant gets mulched for the winter - just uncover when the spring temps are above freezing. Usually that's early to mid march.

Posted by: Alex on 2010-03-01, 16:09:55

I'm sorry, but juniper dies long before it turns brown. It really sounds like it died weeks, if not a month or more, ago. I have several bonsai junipers and have had this happen to me before. If I were you I would toss it and start with a new one. At least, junipers are cheap.