Mallsai

[nurvbonsai]

i decided to give my first tree a fancy new home in a pond basket, hopefully it'll get a little thicker and less embarrassed to be called a 'mallsai' - aka a roadside rescue with a questionable past. i mean, who wouldn't want a tree that's been sold by a shady vendor on a busy Rd? Despite the dodgy origins, i’m stoked these trees can lead people to discover the art of bonsai and connect with fellow tree enthusiasts through clubs and communities.

Any comments are appreciated. Thank you. I put a bottom aeration of perlite. 25 % or so and filled the rest w potting mix.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Good move, you have given your tree a shot at a real future. It will take 5 or so years, but possible

 

[Joelshack2362]

Nice job, now is a great time to learn your environment for your tree and learn good water routine for it.

 

[Paradox]

Good idea to repot it into a bigger container to allow for growth, but I think you are going to find that potting mix is going to stay too wet for a juniper's liking and will cause some issues down the road

 

[nurvbonsai]

Good idea to repot it into a bigger container to allow for growth, but I think you are going to find that potting mix is going to stay too wet for a juniper's liking and will cause some issues down the road

Anything else to recommend? Perlite is on the bottom and regular potting mix on top.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

A uniform mix is better than stratified layers. The soil mix is dependent on your watering habits. For junipers, 100% pumice is common. ive had good success with potting mix such as you have but mixed 50% with pea gravel and perlite. Juniper like drier conditions.

 

[souvik1811]

I would agree with the advice here on potting mix. Ive killed some conifers in the past using organic soil with perlite. I used to think that using rich fertile organic soil would help in thickening the trunk quicker - but it seems to be counter-productive. Plus free-draining inorganic soil would really take full advantage of your pond basket to let in oxygen from the sides well.

I have a RMJ that was potted with vermicompost and cocopeat and perlite. It did ok for six months with no real growth, but then, it started having the dreaded browning and crisping at the tips. I did an emergency repot a few weeks back. Surprisingly the soil wasnt even soggy, it was just evenly moist, but possibly with less aeration. Any of our local tropicals might have loved that mix - but apparently RMJs like it even drier than most other junipers. After the repot, the browning stopped, and I have the green growing tips back again now.

 

[nurvbonsai]

Stratified meaning layered and uniform meaning percentages? Thanks