Introduction and a question about a Juniper Bonsai confused:

[mikeyhill11729]

Hey guys great information here wanted to say hi to all and ask a question about my juniper bonsai tree. My name is mike and I'm from NY. So I recently got a beautiful juniper in a custom pumice waterfall absolutely gorgeous by the way. I know I must put the tree into dormancy. I've had the tree for about a month and has been in a south room with plenty of light at about 65-70 degrees. I have a room in my house that is unheated and have been checking temp in there regularly it seems to be at a steady 40 degrees. My question for you guys is would it be to late to put the tree into the 40 degree room? I've read it must be dormant for a minimum of at least 6 weeks. The room has 2 windows so I could potentially give it light from what ive read it doesn't need much? Thanks for all the help in advance much appreciated: confused:

 

[jk_lewis]

Oh my! Are we seeing a new kind of Mallsai?

Is it an active waterfall, recirculated water and all? I see the electrical cord, does that operate a pump? Is the tree planted in soil at the top of that "mountain"? Is it watered by the waterfall?

If your answer is "yes," to all questions, you have a problem. Or two. If the tree is in a small pot at the top there, there's a solution -- but I suspect it is not.

First, juniper will not survive for long indoors (and by the looks of the picture, it is NOT getting enough light). It should be outside, even in NY. It needs fresh air and unfilterd sun light.

If the tree has its own little pot that's no problem. Take it outdoors. If it is planted at the top of the hill/waterfall, I guess you just enjoy it as is for the rest of this winter. In the spring, you might want to take the tree out of the picture and plant it in its own bonsai pot.

If the tree is supposed to be watered via the pumped waterfall, you'll need to add water to the system to replace what the tree uses. If it is not watered by the circulating water, you'll need to provide supplemental water to the roots of the tree at the top of the hill.

It IS kind of attractive, though, but . . .

 

[mikeyhill11729]

Yes it has a circulating pump that waters the bonsai I keep an eye on the level and self water if necessary. The room the pic was taken in is not where it is situated normally. Its in a room of all windows so it does get plenty of light. What should I do about dormancy?

 

[skrit]

A 40 degree room should be just cool enough for dormancy (assuming that it really stays that cold and doesn't get warm spells. If you can't remove the plant, I'd suggest emptying the entire fountain of water and putting it in there (unplugged) for the remainder of the winter. Keep an eye on the soil moisture, check daily at first but you'll probably find in the cool room that it will probably only need water every couple weeks (or months).

Depending, it may actually be best to take it out of the room after a couple weeks and put it outside in a sheltered location.

Regardless, jkl is right. Junipers are outdoor plants and even with a dormancy period they are unlikely to survive long inside without significant supplemental lighting. It is a nice fountain, I like the design, but in the long run it would be best to have it out on a patio or deck year round. If you choose to keep it indoors, it may be best not to invest in your tree too heavily. Perhaps be willing to consider replacing it yearly with nursery stock?

 

[mikeyhill11729]

So the minimium of dormancy 6 weeks is this true? I think I'm gonna give the 40 degree room a shot than ill probably keep outside in fountain on deck. Is going from the 65-70 degree room to the 40 degree room ok? Thinking about starting the dormancy tonight till April-May. If I did choose to replant the bonsai is there a type that would be good to live in the fountain? Thanks for all your help in advance

 

[M. Frary]

A loose rule of thumb is 1000 hours of dormancy. Putting it in 40 degrees won't hurt it. We have temperature swings that big here naturally. Trees are tougher than people give them credit for. You should be ok.
If your water flows through the tree while in or on the fountain there are only a couple of trees I can think of that don't min being wet. Tamarack and bald cypress.

 

[johng]

Oh my! Are we seeing a new kind of Mallsai?

Is it an active waterfall, recirculated water and all? I see the electrical cord, does that operate a pump? Is the tree planted in soil at the top of that "mountain"? Is it watered by the waterfall?

If your answer is "yes," to all questions, you have a problem. Or two. If the tree is in a small pot at the top there, there's a solution -- but I suspect it is not.

First, juniper will not survive for long indoors (and by the looks of the picture, it is NOT getting enough light). It should be outside, even in NY. It needs fresh air and unfilterd sun light.

If the tree has its own little pot that's no problem. Take it outdoors. If it is planted at the top of the hill/waterfall, I guess you just enjoy it as is for the rest of this winter. In the spring, you might want to take the tree out of the picture and plant it in its own bonsai pot.

If the tree is supposed to be watered via the pumped waterfall, you'll need to add water to the system to replace what the tree uses. If it is not watered by the circulating water, you'll need to provide supplemental water to the roots of the tree at the top of the hill.

It IS kind of attractive, though, but . . .

Nothing new Jim...I was making and marketing these 20 years ago....sold about 50 before I lost interest.... Since I intended mine for indoors, I used ficus trees.

I didn't originate the idea... There was a man that worked at Maas Nursery in Kemah, TX that was doing it on a much larger scale with a self-contained waterfall and reservoir for years. When I moved to SC there was an aquatic nursery out of Charleston that made them like the one pictured above in the late 80s and early 90s.

John

 

[jk_lewis]

Nothing new Jim...I was making and marketing these 20 years ago....sold about 50 before I lost interest.... Since I intended mine for indoors, I used ficus trees.

I didn't originate the idea... There was a man that worked at Maas Nursery in Kemah, TX that was doing it on a much larger scale with a self-contained waterfall and reservoir for years. When I moved to SC there was an aquatic nursery out of Charleston that made them like the one pictured above in the late 80s and early 90s.

John

Hmmm. These certainly passed ME by.

 

[stosh]

The last couple of days here in NY have been in the 20's to single digits. I've kept mine in a dark garage. I plan on taking them outside, instead of being inside with a fluorescent light over them. I've just read one these post stating that they can stay out even in NY winter weather, in elements. Now I'm confused.

 

[KennedyMarx]

The last couple of days here in NY have been in the 20's to single digits. I've kept mine in a dark garage. I plan on taking them outside, instead of being inside with a fluorescent light over them. I've just read one these post stating that they can stay out even in NY winter weather, in elements. Now I'm confused.

Look around outside and you'll see junipers that sit outside year round. Granted they are in the ground, but your plant will be ok outside. You can bury the pot in the ground so that the lip is even with the ground and then pile some mulch around it. Keep it out of the wind and direct sun. The wind is the dangerous because when it hits the foliage the roots need to draw up water and if the rootball is frozen the plant can die. If you don't want to bury it just pile mulch around the pot.

 

[stosh]

Look around outside and you'll see junipers that sit outside year round. Granted they are in the ground, but your plant will be ok outside. You can bury the pot in the ground so that the lip is even with the ground and then pile some mulch around it. Keep it out of the wind and direct sun. The wind is the dangerous because when it hits the foliage the roots need to draw up water and if the rootball is frozen the plant can die. If you don't want to bury it just pile mulch around the pot.

They have been out of direct sun and wind. When its cold and windy ill put the fluorescent light on in the garage.

 

[Vin]

Hmmm. These certainly passed ME by.

I apologize ahead of time for saying this but I would rather wear a pink thong and have a picture of my ass plastered all over Bonsai Nut than own one of these. Other than that, good luck with the tree.

 

[johng]

I apologize ahead of time for saying this but I would rather wear a pink thong and have a picture of my ass plastered all over Bonsai Nut than own one of these. Other than that, good luck with the tree.

Despite my history with these, I'm totally with you on this Vin with respect to these carved fountains anyhow....no offense to the OP...if you stick to this, your taste will always be changing.

i do however, have a natural stone, planted with a couple fairly nice Shimpaku and azaleas that I have considered doing something similar with...recirculating waterfall...and maybe even some fog

if I decide to do it, I'll post about it....if for nothing else to ruffle the feathers of a few purists

 

[mikeyhill11729]

Sorry to offend anyone with the Juniper in the foutain... I know now its not the ideal conditions for it to live. Im gonna give it a shot keeping it in the fountain and putting into dormacy that putting out on deck in spring here in NY. The fountain is beautiful in person it wasn't your typical pos that ive seen in the past. It was done from natural creations in Pennsylvania charles kearn who does really nice work i might add. The fountain has recirclating water and light and fogger. I probably should have gotten a fiscus to put in there. You always got people on forums who take shots at newbs Im here for help everyone is once a beginner. I thank everyone for the help they have provided and if i offend anyone with posting a picture of my fountain sorry.

 

[edprocoat]

Mikey, I likey ! Its a nice looking combo and you can always replace the plant when it dies. Fountains are so peaceful. I would be wary of putting it outside in the winter, that pot has very little root system and setting on a porch it would probably freeze it and kill it. The advice posted about burying the pot in the ground and mulching around it will prevent this but just placing the fountain outside would certainly kill it.

ed

 

[Vin]

Sorry to offend anyone with the Juniper in the foutain... I know now its not the ideal conditions for it to live. Im gonna give it a shot keeping it in the fountain and putting into dormacy that putting out on deck in spring here in NY. The fountain is beautiful in person it wasn't your typical pos that ive seen in the past. It was done from natural creations in Pennsylvania charles kearn who does really nice work i might add. The fountain has recirclating water and light and fogger. I probably should have gotten a fiscus to put in there. You always got people on forums who take shots at newbs Im here for help everyone is once a beginner. I thank everyone for the help they have provided and if i offend anyone with posting a picture of my fountain sorry.

Please, you have not offended anyone. In the end, if you like it that's all that matters. Most members here try to stay within the established guidelines and rules for bonsai which are much older than most of the trees we maintain. Many, including myself are still learning those rules and guidelines and even Masters continue to learn and gain knowledge. Your Juniper by the most basic definition is indeed bonsai. However, if you want to pursue the art of bonsai more seriously there is much to learn (not that I'm anywhere near as knowledgeable as many on this site). I prefaced my comment with an apology and meant it. Some of my comment was also an inside joke that only established members would find humorous. This site can be brutal at times. I will happily remove my comment if you like for I would not want you to feel discouraged in any way.

 

[mikeyhill11729]

Please, you have not offended anyone. In the end, if you like it that's all that matters. Most members here try to stay within the established guidelines and rules for bonsai which are much older than most of the trees we maintain. Many, including myself are still learning those rules and guidelines and even Masters continue to learn and gain knowledge. Your Juniper by the most basic definition is indeed bonsai. However, if you want to pursue the art of bonsai more seriously there is much to learn (not that I'm anywhere near as knowledgeable as many on this site). I prefaced my comment with an apology and meant it. Some of my comment was also an inside joke that only established members would find humorous. This site can be brutal at times. I will happily remove my comment if you like for I would not want you to feel discouraged in any way.

No its okay you don't have to remove I understand what you mean. I'm not sure if I wanna risk transplanting the tree into a bonsai pot. Is there an ideal bonsai that would be ok in the fountain?

 

[KennedyMarx]

The only plants I can think of that wouldn't mind the wet feet would be bald cypress or buttonwood. Whether or not they will be agreeable to growing like that? Probably not optimal conditions.

 

[Vin]

No its okay you don't have to remove I understand what you mean. I'm not sure if I wanna risk transplanting the tree into a bonsai pot. Is there an ideal bonsai that would be ok in the fountain?

I'm not familiar enough with the fountain display and the watering device to advise you. However, I believe someone mentioned ficus in a previous post which can be kept indoors as well as schefflera. Maybe others might chime in with some additional suggestions.

 

[Vin]

I'm not sure if I wanna risk transplanting the tree into a bonsai pot.

Do you know how to slip pot?