A young J. squamata prostrata

[jedge76]

Hey everyone, I'm pretty new to the forum as well as bonsai. And maybe a little nervous to post a question about such a young and raw plant with all of the beautiful trees on the forum, but here goes!

So I purchased this j. squamata at a local bonsai nursery a couple of months back and have been staring at it everyday (my girlfriend thinks I'm weird now) to see where I would like to take the design. For a newbie like me, the initial thought is semi cascade or something along those lines. But I began evolving that thought into wiring the main trunk all the way back to the opposite side and creating an informal upright with an S-shape starting near the base. Of course, I may need to clean away the main trunk, even thought of chopping some of the cascading section off, as well as thin out the puffy midsection of the tree before anyone can give me much advice.

With the pics here, what do you guys think as a 1st step? Just looking for a little direction to help clear up my thoughts. Thanks!

 

[bonsaibp]

What's up with the first picture? That doesn't look so hot unless it's been really cold in Fresno, and I don't think it has been.
Which are the most recent pictures?

 

[jedge76]

What's up with the first picture? That doesn't look so hot unless it's been really cold in Fresno, and I don't think it has been.
Which are the most recent pictures?

The one on the left is the most recent. I thought the color turning was common with some junipers this time of year? We have had frost almost every morning for the past month, could that be enough?

 

[jedge76]

Here are 3 more pics without the busy background...

 

[Beng]

You'd have to be down well below 20 for a long time to get color that brown. Maybe even near 0 for a considerable amount of time. I think the tree may have died.

 

[bonsaibp]

I think Ben may be right.
You may want to try hooking up with the Fresno Bonsai Club.
Don't give up though.

 

[jedge76]

You'd have to be down well below 20 for a long time to get color that brown. Maybe even near 0 for a considerable amount of time. I think the tree may have died.

I think Ben may be right.
You may want to try hooking up with the Fresno Bonsai Club.
Don't give up though.

As I was looking it over I noticed several spider mites. I think that's a problem here in town and I honestly hadn't paid as much attention as I should've...obviously. Not sure if that's the only cause, but it couldn't help.

 

[jedge76]

I washed the plant with a good stream of water from the hose. There's still a lot of green on this tree, so I am not going to give up on it.

Styling? Ha! Is my face red!

 

[Dav4]

As I was looking it over I noticed several spider mites. I think that's a problem here in town and I honestly hadn't paid as much attention as I should've...obviously. Not sure if that's the only cause, but it couldn't help.

That'll do it. I've got your juniper's big brother, a squamata cascade that's had the snot knocked out of it by spider mites 2 years in a row. Literally sucks them dry. I'd spray this one with a miticide or dormant spray, then I'd go find more stock because you really shouldn't style a sick tree....and that one is SICK. Good luck,

Dave

 

[jedge76]

That'll do it. I've got your juniper's big brother, a squamata cascade that's had the snot knocked out of it by spider mites 2 years in a row. Literally sucks them dry. I'd spray this one with a miticide or dormant spray, then I'd go find more stock because you really shouldn't style a sick tree....and that one is SICK. Good luck,

Dave

Thanks Dave. How well did your squamata come out of the infestation each time? I'm going to treat it and let it grow for a long time before touching it much.

 

[Dav4]

Thanks Dave. How well did your squamata come out of the infestation each time? I'm going to treat it and let it grow for a long time before touching it much.

Well, it's a much larger tree and I most likely noticed the discoloration caused by the mites earlier then you. Still, it's weakened and discolored portions of the tree each time. Unfortunately, your entire tree is discolored...that's no good. It can take several years for a juniper to recover from mite damage...and that's after the mites are gone and don't come back. I'm afraid it's an uphill battle for yours, but go ahead and see what you can do.

 

[jkd2572]

Spider mites are my nemesis.

 

[edprocoat]

Last year I was actually looking for a juniper with the "prostrata" label, just so I could post a thread here titled " Prostrata problems "

ed

 

[jedge76]

Well, it's a much larger tree and I most likely noticed the discoloration caused by the mites earlier then you. Still, it's weakened and discolored portions of the tree each time. Unfortunately, your entire tree is discolored...that's no good. It can take several years for a juniper to recover from mite damage...and that's after the mites are gone and don't come back. I'm afraid it's an uphill battle for yours, but go ahead and see what you can do.

Being my 1st juniper, I was under the impression that the color change initially was seasonal--obviously way off, but I have learned from it so no biggie in the end. I will try to nurse this juniper back, but I now know not to fall asleep just because the temps cool down. Thanks for your advice and experiences.

Spider mites are my nemesis.

Apparently mine, too.

 

[Beng]

Try Avid I just ordered some myself I heard it works wonders for mites. Previously i've used bifen its and neem oil.

 

[Dav4]

Being my 1st juniper, I was under the impression that the color change initially was seasonal--obviously way off, but I have learned from it so no biggie in the end. I will try to nurse this juniper back, but I now know not to fall asleep just because the temps cool down. Thanks for your advice and experiences.
QUOTE]
My squamata does naturally become a bit dull during the dormant season, but there's a fine line between dull blue (natural) and light brown (sick to dying) that you don't want to see.

 

[jedge76]

My squamata does naturally become a bit dull during the dormant season, but there's a fine line between dull blue (natural) and light brown (sick to dying) that you don't want to see.

Thanks again, now I have a better idea what I'm looking for.

 

[jedge76]

I went to my local bonsai nursery where I bought my squamata. After talking with the owner and looking at the 15-20 J. squamata prostrata he has on hand of varying sizes from 4" to 5 gallon, my plant is in perfect health and nothing wrong with it. This is the normal color of this species in the winter time, not a mite infestation or anything else. I was very relieved to see by this. Plants under cover of shade cloth generally held onto the green while the plants in full exposure where as golden brown, if not more so, than mine.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, though. All is well thankfully

 

[bonsaibp]

For your own peace of mind in the future the way to check for spider mites is to hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and tap the branch from above . All kinds of stuff will fall out- spiders-the good kind, pieces of bark etc. Wait a minute and if you see tiny red, black or brown specks moving around you have spider mites. The most common juniper pest in central and southern CA. Hope yours is just cold I'd check just to be sure though.

 

[jedge76]

For your own peace of mind in the future the way to check for spider mites is to hold a sheet of white paper under a branch and tap the branch from above . All kinds of stuff will fall out- spiders-the good kind, pieces of bark etc. Wait a minute and if you see tiny red, black or brown specks moving around you have spider mites. The most common juniper pest in central and southern CA. Hope yours is just cold I'd check just to be sure though.

Thanks a lot for the tip...I tried that method today after the same suggestion from the nursery owner and didn't seem to find much to worry about. I'll continue to check regularly cause I have been hearing the same thing you mentioned about mites in this area--we're such a dusty area.

Thanks a lot for the help! Anyone know of a good place to find a Pyrethrin based miticide? I may try the regular nurseries around town, but I want to try it so I can hopefully keep the bastards away by preventatively spraying. It seems inevitable mites will attack sooner or later.