Please help with a diagnosis (Root fungus?)

[silvrdragon52]

Hello,

I have a bonsai tree which over the past several months has developed orange fungus-looking bumps on it's roots. The soil has also eroded on one side of the tree where this condition is taking place, exposing some of the roots. It's spreading rather fast, and appeared before I even noticed the issue when it must have been small. I would like to get fungicide or some other cure as soon as possible, but I don't want to misdiagnose the issue and possibly harm the tree further! Thanks very much in advance, any info is appreciated.
-S

 

[wireme]

Probably root knot which I believe is caused by a nematode and bacteria.
Possibly nitrogen nodules, what type of tree?

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[silvrdragon52]

Probably root knot which I believe is caused by a nematode and bacteria.
Possibly nitrogen nodules, what type of tree?

It's a juniper. From what I've gathered so far, I believe it could a symptom of over-watering... Although I water it every few days just so that it's never fully dry, which seems healthy.

Is there a fungicide or product you might recommend, or conversely avoid? I'm afraid to spray anything directly onto the roots.
Thanks

 

[wireme]

It's a juniper. From what I've gathered so far, I believe it could a symptom of over-watering... Although I water it every few days just so that it's never fully dry, which seems healthy.

Is there a fungicide or product you might recommend, or conversely avoid? I'm afraid to spray anything directly onto the roots.
Thanks

Sorry, I can't help you out, I've never seen either of the things I mentioned on a juniper. I have seen cedar Apple rust on juniper trunks looking a little bit like that but... Anyways, I don't know what you're dealing with, someone else probably will.

 

[rockm]

Sorry to be so blunt, but the "soil" you have it in is killing the tree, or will shortly. I believe the stuff you're seeing is basically slime mold, which can develop in soggy, anaerobic conditions. The soil is waaaaay too wet and apparently stays that way a lot. That's a very very bad thing for a juniper.

In only trying to kill the mold, you're missing the bigger issue with the tree--it needs to be repotted immediately in better bonsai soil. From some of the photos, the top growth is already dying off. That's not because of the mold, but because the plants roots are probably rotting from the soggy mess its planted in.

 

[silvrdragon52]

Sorry to be so blunt, but the "soil" you have it in is killing the tree, or will shortly. I believe the stuff you're seeing is basically slime mold, which can develop in soggy, anaerobic conditions. The soil is waaaaay too wet and apparently stays that way a lot. That's a very very bad thing for a juniper.

In only trying to kill the mold, you're missing the bigger issue with the tree--it needs to be repotted immediately in better bonsai soil. From some of the photos, the top growth is already dying off. That's not because of the mold, but because the plants roots are probably rotting from the soggy mess its planted in.

Thank you! I appreciate any and all info. I plan on repotting it into a larger container, and someone on another forum said that now is not the time to do it... although the situation does seem increasingly dire.

I have very little botany experience, should I just get Miracle Grow? Plain soil? Anything good for bonsai's?

Thanks

 

[rockm]

The plant needs to be repotted NOW. The soil you have it in is killing it (the reason for the browned tips on the foliage most likely), along with your watering practices.

DO NOT give it any fertilizer. That won't do any good and could make things worse. Fertilizer isn't "plant food" plants make their own food. Fert is the raw material the plant uses to make its food. With roots that are probably compromised, the plant can't take fertilizers up, so they will remain in the soil and other organisms will use it at the expense of the tree.

 

[drew33998]

I would completely bare root it. Wash the roots very well and if you can't afford good bonsai soil then buy Napa brand oil dry. Or if you can afford it you can still use the Napa stuff. Works fine for my growing stock.

 

[0soyoung]

if you can't afford good bonsai soil then buy Napa brand oil dry.

 

[drew33998]

 

[bonhe]

It's a juniper. From what I've gathered so far, I believe it could a symptom of over-watering... Although I water it every few days just so that it's never fully dry, which seems healthy.

Is there a fungicide or product you might recommend, or conversely avoid? I'm afraid to spray anything directly onto the roots.
Thanks

Are you sure it is juniper? Its bark does not look like juniper! Pine?
If the tree is healthy, don't worry about using fungicide! However, the soil is needed to be changed when it meets suitable time.
Bonhe