Indoor Juniper/needing winterization?

14 years ago

Hey Guys,

I received a Juniper Bonsai tree as a gift in early July and have just recently noticed the needles turning brown. I know this isn't a good sign, so I'm asking for advice (hopefully early enough) before the tree dies. Here's some info as to how I take care of it:

1. Placed 3 feet away from southern facing windows

2. Half direct/half indirect light

3. Watering once a week by submerging my pot in a tub of water (without letting the water spill over the top of the soil) for 6 minutes

4. Feeding it every other watering

Note: The last two waterings I accidentally left in the tub for 30min-1hr but never noticed the soil to still be wet when I watered the next week.

Any advice as to how to nurse the tree back to health would be appreciative. I've been reading all these forums and seem to keep getting conflicting remedies.

Does it need to go into dormancy? The bonsai cannot be placed outdoors where I live so any advice on helping my guy transition? Is it okay to start the process when the tree is browning?

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Comments (3)

User
14 years ago
Hi - unfortunately there is no such thing as an indoor juniper, and whoever told you there was did you no favor, plus your tree is browning very, very likely from being watered way too often, especially going into winter. If you can't keep it outdoors (and it should be out now, getting acclimated to the cold), either give it to a member of a bonsai club to resurrect or get some tropicals to work on. Sorry!
User
14 years ago
Hi again - Forgot to mention that you don't soak plants in the tub (or sink) to water them - maybe once in a hundred times as a rescue op for something you forgot to water for 2 mos., but otherwise not. Use one of those watering cans with a lot of little holes in the spatula type of spout, like rain would.
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User
14 years ago
Hi again - Forgot to mention that you don't soak plants in the tub (or sink) to water them - maybe once in a hundred times as a rescue op for something you forgot to water for 2 mos., but otherwise not. Use one of those watering cans with a lot of little holes in the spatula type of spout, like rain would.