Juniper Bonsai dying?

[Manny]

I got this Juniper Bonsai two months ago. I had read that it was an indoor plant, but after researching found out that it's not. I kept it close to a window, but noticed that the leaves were turning a yellow-green color.
I've been keeping it outside in sunlight for the past few days, but haven't seen much improvement. Is there anything else I should do to make it healthy again?

 

[lieuz]

I too made this mistake many moons ago. Junipers don't really wear their hearts on their sleeves. They like to really bottle up their health and will often not show signs even after a tree has passed. I would list a few more details like, where you're located, watering frequencies and if you repotted this guy. But the best thing you've done thus far, is to put the tree outside.

 

[Manny]

I too made this mistake many moons ago. Junipers don't really wear their hearts on their sleeves. They like to really bottle up their health and will often not show signs even after a tree has passed. I would list a few more details like, where you're located, watering frequencies and if you repotted this guy. But the best thing you've done thus far, is to put the tree outside.

I'm in Houston Texas, and I water at least once a day, twice if the soil seems dry. I haven't repotted yet, the tree is about two years old I believe.

 

[MidMichBonsai]

You've got a 50/50 shot. My guess would be that it may be dead but on the other hand, there is some healthy looking foliage on the right hand side. Keep it outside, balance the water with the sunlight and wait. You should know in 3-4 weeks whether it's dead or not. If it continues in the directions it's going it will most likely died but if there is still blue-green on the plant, there's hope. The guy below was a juniper I picked up at the end of last year. It looks terrible compared to the Shimp. on the left and Procumbens on the right but I babied it and it is greening up nicely this Spring.

I hope the same happens for you.

 

[iant]

Be very very careful with NOT overwatering it. When it's almost dead (or already dead) like this it's not going to take up much water. If you overwater it it will definitely be more dead than it is now. I'd put it outside in a spot that gets morning sun only and ONLY water it if the soil is dry or almost dry. That soil looks pretty organic so it might hold water too well. Some people use a chopstick to check if soil still damp. You can pull it out to check.
Ian

 

[lieuz]

Be very very careful with NOT overwatering it. When it's almost dead (or already dead) like this it's not going to take up much water. If you overwater it it will definitely be more dead than it is now. I'd put it outside in a spot that gets morning sun only and ONLY water it if the soil is dry or almost dry. That soil looks pretty organic so it might hold water too well. Some people use a chopstick to check if soil still damp. You can pull it out to check.
Ian

I agree, your soil looks pretty heavy. Typically, to test good bonsai soil, one should be able to take a handful of wet bonsai soil and squeeze it together in your fist. When you open your hand, the mix should literally fall apart; however, your soil looks like if you squeezed it, it'll probably form a pretty dense mudball. With this said, I'm not trying to convey to you to repot the tree because one shouldn't repot a sick tree. I'd definitely monitor how much water it receives. Given the fact the soil is heavy it definitely does look like it can hold moisture pretty well and for a long time. In the future, this tree prefers more inorganic than organic matter.

 

[Vin]

Be very very careful with NOT overwatering it. When it's almost dead (or already dead) like this it's not going to take up much water. If you overwater it it will definitely be more dead than it is now. I'd put it outside in a spot that gets morning sun only and ONLY water it if the soil is dry or almost dry. That soil looks pretty organic so it might hold water too well. Some people use a chopstick to check if soil still damp. You can pull it out to check.
Ian

Ian, I'm not meaning to insult you but I think this is the funniest statement I've read in a while "If you overwater it, it will definitely be more dead than it is now." (I hope you find the humor in it as well) Sorry Manny, it cannot be more dead than it already is, and it is dead.

 

[Vance Wood]

Miracle Max to the rescue???? I'm sorry I laugh at everything. Sorry to say this tree is waiting for Butter and Jam, ----- it's toast. Juniperus Crunchy Croakamus.

 

[markyscott]

Why don't you bring your tree to the next meeting of the Houston Bonsai Society? It doesn't look good, by we'll be happy to check it out for you. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at Hermann Parrk.

http://houstonbonsaisociety.com

Scott

 

[iant]

The good news is that these little Nana junipers are easy to come by. My uncle picked up this one from a guy on the side of the road I think.
Ian

 

[sorce]

And the best news is you're passed this stage!

The future is bright!

What's next?

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Eric Group]

This tree is dead.
Sorry.

Seems like some people were trying to be nice and say " there is a chance"- there is not. By the time a Juniper is crispy and brown like that, it has been dead for weeks/ months. I see no active growing tips and no healthy green foliage.

So, welcome to Bonsai-
step one= buy a tree! YAAYYYY I HAVE A BONSAI!

Step two= watch in horror as the tree dies? OMG WHAT DID I DO WRONG!?

Step three is the important choice- do I get inspired to figure out why it died and buy more trees until I can sustain them and care for them at a high level, or do I say "well I guess I can't do this Bonsai thing- time to move on to stamp collecting". The choice is yours my friend! Stamps are boring IMO, choose wisely!

 

[M. Frary]

I say give it another go with a new tree. What say you?

 

[lieuz]

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Try again, you owe it to this tree.

 

[Manny]

I'll definitely keep trying. Practice makes perfect, right? Thanks for all the replies

 

[MidMichBonsai]

As you continue, consider where you purchase your next tree from. Make sure it is from a source that you can trust and that the tree is in good health when you acquire it. You can't learn anything if you purchase a dead tree...except not to purchase dead trees. Add your location to your profile so that we can tell you about clubs/bonsai suppliers in your area.

As many have said, "Dead trees are the tuition for learning bonsai." Congrats, you've made your first payment!

 

[lieuz]

As you continue, consider where you purchase your next tree from. Make sure it is from a source that you can trust and that the tree is in good health when you acquire it. You can't learn anything if you purchase a dead tree...except not to purchase dead trees. Add your location to your profile so that we can tell you about clubs/bonsai suppliers in your area.

As many have said, "Dead trees are the tuition for learning bonsai." Congrats, you've made your first payment!

Everyone certainly said it, but you put it in a most eloquent phrase. I really like this.

 

[Vance Wood]

Dead trees need not be the tuition but sadly it seems to be so. I would venture that mostly it is because of sources like above. Regular plain old nursery crap usually works really well for beginners. The trees are acclimated to the areas where they are sold, they are used to a good deal of abuse and most nurseries have some sort of return policy. They might ask you if your are a stand up comic if you bring in a half way butchered attempt at a bonsai that has died but they didn't know you were going to do that in the beginning. Point being they probably did not try to sell you a tree they knew you were going to kill. People that sell bonsai off a truck on the road side are usually equated with the same individuals that go about doing drive ways with black top.

 

[zanna5910]

If it was outside in this houston weather of late, its probably overwatered since it has been raining for what seems like 3 months.