bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Juniper Bonsai in Trouble

Some history about where you have been keeping the tree would be helpful...indoors or out? Where do you live--what hardiness zone, etc.?

My guess the reason the tree looks like it isn't getting enough water is that it isn't. Because you've kept it in a tray and watered it twice a day, it's feet are wet so to speak. There is a perched layer of water at the bottom of the pot that never leaves because of the tray at the bottom of the pot and this has rotted some/all of the roots. With no roots, no water is being taken up by them.

My advice would be to 86 the tray--death sentence for a juniper. If you are keeping it indoors, look around outside for a sheltered place to winter it outdoors, preferrably an unheated garage or shed. Carefully lift the tree out of its pot and inspect the roots around the sides and bottom of the rootball. If they are mushy and soft and there are no white feeder roots and there is a rotten smell, you have root rot. If you don't, put the tree back in the pot and lose the bottom tray.

If you have root rot, reply again to this thread and we can take it from there. Are there any bonsai clubs near you or bonsai nurseries you can consult?

12-Nov-2007	#3
gregb bonsaiTALK Master Join Date: Jan-2005 Location: Hood River OR Country: U.S. USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 462	Some history about where you have been keeping the tree would be helpful...indoors or out? Where do you live--what hardiness zone, etc.? My guess the reason the tree looks like it isn't getting enough water is that it isn't. Because you've kept it in a tray and watered it twice a day, it's feet are wet so to speak. There is a perched layer of water at the bottom of the pot that never leaves because of the tray at the bottom of the pot and this has rotted some/all of the roots. With no roots, no water is being taken up by them. My advice would be to 86 the tray--death sentence for a juniper. If you are keeping it indoors, look around outside for a sheltered place to winter it outdoors, preferrably an unheated garage or shed. Carefully lift the tree out of its pot and inspect the roots around the sides and bottom of the rootball. If they are mushy and soft and there are no white feeder roots and there is a rotten smell, you have root rot. If you don't, put the tree back in the pot and lose the bottom tray. If you have root rot, reply again to this thread and we can take it from there. Are there any bonsai clubs near you or bonsai nurseries you can consult?