Deceased Estate - Saving the Bonsai

[Devin_Dev]

Greetings from South Africa!

Making a long story short - I happened apon a deceased estate where a bonsai enthusiast had left behind what looks like some sort of conifer or juniper. It doesn't look all too healthy though and I was hoping to bring it around with some guidance.

The soil looks very dense and heavy and it appeared to be wet when I collected the tree. I have not watered since I collected it yesterday and it still seems damp just below the surface.

I found a few spider webs in the canopy but after gently shaking a branch over a white piece of paper I did not see any spider mites.

I would love to save the tree if possible - someone put love and effort in to this tree and carrying on their journey in their stead would mean alot to me.

In terms of weather, we are getting towards winter with temperatures fluctuating between 24°C and 4°C.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Give it as much sun as possible for now and make sure it doesnt get too wet or damp in the winter. Id repot it in spring. It looks decently enough healthy for that. Maybe a light fertilization now to help it strengthen a little through the end of your fall and winter.

I wouldnt do much else until it has recovered from the repot. Id try and find some experienced practitioners in your area to advise you further as well as do a lot of research on care if you are unfamiliar or new to the hobby.

 

[bwaynef]

The bright yellow is variegation. The dull yellow/brown is weak foliage. I would lean on the local community for timing specifics, but generally mid-spring is a good time to repot junipers. With the soil showing poor drainage now, I'd try to manage how much water it gets and possibly tilt the pot to improve drainage a bit (with a hole at the bottom of the tilt).

Then start studying up on cleaning juniper foliage. Remove downward growing foliage. Remove weak foliage. Remove foliage within ½" of crotches. There isn't a bad time to do the cleaning, at least initially.

 

[Devin_Dev]

Give it as much sun as possible for now and make sure it doesnt get too wet or damp in the winter. Id repot it in spring. It looks decently enough healthy for that. Maybe a light fertilization now to help it strengthen a little through the end of your fall and winter.

I wouldnt do much else until it has recovered from the repot. Id try and find some experienced practitioners in your area to advise you further as well as do a lot of research on care if you are unfamiliar or new to the hobby.

Thanks so much Orion_metalhead, I'll definitely do so.

 

[Devin_Dev]

The bright yellow is variegation. The dull yellow/brown is weak foliage. I would lean on the local community for timing specifics, but generally mid-spring is a good time to repot junipers. With the soil showing poor drainage now, I'd try to manage how much water it gets and possibly tilt the pot to improve drainage a bit (with a hole at the bottom of the tilt).

Then start studying up on cleaning juniper foliage. Remove downward growing foliage. Remove weak foliage. Remove foliage within ½" of crotches. There isn't a bad time to do the cleaning, at least initially.

I'll definitely give tilting it a go. I'm not too sure about getting a hole in pot but I suppose a tile drill bit with some water would do the trick.

Do you suggest cleaning up now before winter and subsequent repot or only after the repot in spring?

Thanks for the help!

 

[bwaynef]

Go ahead and clean it up. One thing I didn't mention, leave growing tips on the foliage. That's what will drive growth/recovery. Any whips/runners are to be kept.

 

[Shibui]

I'll definitely give tilting it a go. I'm not too sure about getting a hole in pot but I suppose a tile drill bit with some water would do the trick.

I don't think @bwaynef meant to drill new holes in the pot, Just to tilt the pot a little but not so far as to have the existing drain holes too far above the low point of the pot.

It's worth checking the pot's drain holes. If they appear to be clogged with roots it is worth using the drill to reopen the drain hole.
Otherwise just try to manage watering so the soil doesn't stay saturated. The tree appears reasonably healthy so it is certainly possible for it to be Ok in that soil, in that pot in your area. I suspect it will be OK through to late winter or Spring.
Depending where in SA repotting junipers can be from mid winter through to mid Spring. Best advice will be from other experienced growers familiar with your particular climate.
@SeanS may be able to assist or know someone who can.

 

[SeanS]

@Devin_Dev where in SA are you? Add your location to your profile to make localised advice easier

 

[Devin_Dev]

I don't think @bwaynef meant to drill new holes in the pot, Just to tilt the pot a little but not so far as to have the existing drain holes too far above the low point of the pot.

It's worth checking the pot's drain holes. If they appear to be clogged with roots it is worth using the drill to reopen the drain hole.
Otherwise just try to manage watering so the soil doesn't stay saturated. The tree appears reasonably healthy so it is certainly possible for it to be Ok in that soil, in that pot in your area. I suspect it will be OK through to late winter or Spring.
Depending where in SA repotting junipers can be from mid winter through to mid Spring. Best advice will be from other experienced growers familiar with your particular climate.
@SeanS may be able to assist or know someone who can.

I checked the singular drain hole - it's in the middle and relatively small. Using a chopstick, I prodded around trying to loosen it up a bit and then tilted and watered with a light a fertilizer. The water pools for a while on top of the soil but did eventually start running out, took about 5 liters or so. Thanks so much for the recommendation. I'll try keep it alive until a repot becomes advisable

 

[Devin_Dev]

@Devin_Dev where in SA are you? Add your location to your profile to make localised advice easier

Hi SeanS. I'm in Johannesburg - zone 9b. Thanks for the tip, I've updated my profile to reflect my location