All of Juniper Bonsai Needles are Yellow

[Skiandtea]

I've had this juniper bonsai for about 10 months now, and I believe it was 3 years old when I bought it. I've been regularly watering it before it fully dries out (every 3-4 days). I live near Chicago and it receives a couple hours of direct sunlight per day on an outside window ledge. I haven't fertilized it since October.

It had green needles until about a month ago. The needles now have all turned yellow and are brittle - a light touch will make them fall off. Will it still be possible to save this bonsai? And how can I tell whether this is a problem due to watering, pest, fertilizer, etc?

 

[armetisius]

Yep.
'Bout as dead as you could find anywhere.
Save it?
You mean to start your grill with right?

 

[Adair M]

Dead. Probably froze last winter.

 

[Vance Wood]

If you have been keeping this tree indoors that is the reason for it's demise. It died for tne same reason you would die if you were forced to live outdoors 24/7.

 

[Adair M]

If you have been keeping this tree indoors that is the reason for it's demise. It died for tne same reason you would die if you were forced to live outdoors 24/7.

I think he said "outside window ledge". I took that to mean it was outside.

 

[M. Frary]

Where did you keep it for winter? That also could have a lot to do with the condition it's in.
Hate to say it but it's dead. There is no saving this tree.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

If I were forced to live outdoors 24/7 I would be happy as Hell!

Sorce

 

[Vance Wood]

Welcome to Crazy!

If I were forced to live outdoors 24/7 I would be happy as Hell!

Sorce

naked???

 

[sorce]

naked???

Sure!

But not up here!

Sorce

 

[Vance Wood]

There ya go, not up here!

 

[Skiandtea]

It was kept outside year round - I read that it cannot stand temperatures below 14F. It rarely gets that cold where I live during the day time, and it sometimes gets that cold at night. I always checked the weather forecast and brought it indoors for the night if it was going to drop below 14F. Then, I put it back outside the next morning when it warmed up again.

 

[Alain]

Sorry for your loss...

Junipers can be tricky, for me at least, I killed a bunch, and they tell you they are dead a long time after death.
They always tell it the same way though, looking like yours...

 

[jeanluc83]

brought it indoors for the night

This could have been the problem. For a tree to stay dormant they need to stay below about 40 degrees. Anything more can begin to break dormancy. If the tree is beginning to wake up and is then put back into sub freezing temperatures the tree will have major problems.

I think it was kindness that killed this tree.

 

[Skiandtea]

Thank you all for the helpful insights. So what is the best way to keep a bonsai warm (but not too warm) during the winter? I live in a second-story apartment so the only access I have to the outside is through my window ledge.

 

[Vance Wood]

It was kept outside year round - I read that it cannot stand temperatures below 14F. It rarely gets that cold where I live during the day time, and it sometimes gets that cold at night. I always checked the weather forecast and brought it indoors for the night if it was going to drop below 14F. Then, I put it back outside the next morning when it warmed up again.

----which brings up the other and probable alternitive. The tree was probably dead when you bought it. This is not uncommon and the major reason these trees are sold in the OTC bonsai trade. The Juniper can look like it's alive for months before it turns brown.

 

[Dav4]

It was kept outside year round - I read that it cannot stand temperatures below 14F. It rarely gets that cold where I live during the day time, and it sometimes gets that cold at night. I always checked the weather forecast and brought it indoors for the night if it was going to drop below 14F. Then, I put it back outside the next morning when it warmed up again.

It would have been better keeping the juniper frozen solid all winter.

 

[Cypress187]

Looks like my juniper just before I threw it away, welcome to the forum.

 

[M. Frary]

It was kept outside year round - I read that it cannot stand temperatures below 14F. It rarely gets that cold where I live during the day time, and it sometimes gets that cold at night. I always checked the weather forecast and brought it indoors for the night if it was going to drop below 14F. Then, I put it back outside the next morning when it warmed up again.

You were just given wrong information for this tree is all. Try again. You can keep it outside year round mine see temps below zero every year. 14 degrees is a walk in the park for a juniper.
Get another and we'll help you keep it alive. Even flourish. And don't get too discouraged. We all kill trees. Some more than others.

 

[ColinFraser]

"All the leaves are brown . . . "