Blue Star Juniper Health

[bonsai928]

Hello-

Is anyone able to assist? These are baby Blue Star Junipers trying to establish their root system. They do have roots already but nothing substantial yet. Lately they've been getting the tips browned and I'm not sure why.

They are sitting in a mix of akadama soil mix (a little bit of potting soil towards the bottom) which does drain decent. My initial thought is they aren't getting enough nutrients? My initial research said not to introduce fertilizer with babies and I live in zone 6 (Pittsburgh, PA) and with Winter coming up I didn't want to introduce anything quite substantial. My other concern would be overwatering which I thought I was being careful with no overwatering but am not sure now.

Any tips/advice on what you think the cause is would be great (and any possible solutions)

 

[Paradox]

Try this.

Get a plain white piece of paper and hold it under a branch showing damage. Tap/shake the branch over the paper.

Look at the paper. If you see little and I mean LITTLE brown or reddish specs crawling across the paper that make little brown/reddish streaks when you swipe them then you probably have spider mites

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I think the growing tips were pulled off and this is the aftermath. Nothing I'd worry about to be honest.

 

[Maiden69]

I think the growing tips were pulled off and this is the aftermath. Nothing I'd worry about to be honest.

I think this is the reason as well... blue star is very finicky. The only juniper that I have manage to kill to date.