Adam_MA

Ogma,
Let me see if I can help a little. First the Juniper is an OUTSIDE tree. It needs to be outside all winter long. But, if the tree has been inside until now, putting it outside may be a bit of a shock to it. I don't know what the weather is there, but your zone is pretty much the same as mine here in MA (zone 6). I have all my Junipers outside. You don't have to protect your Juniper from freezing as much as protect it from a continues freeze/thaw cycle, and to shield it from winds. I'm not sure what your best option would be at this point with the Juniper seeing how we are already into winter and freezing temps. Maybe someone else has some hints about easing it into dormancy.

As for your Ficus trees, I think their problem may be a combination of too little light and too little water, now there is no formula for watering a tree other than when it needs it, for me this is by the weight of the pot. I am familiar with the weight of the tree in the pot when it has enough water and when it need some. The only sure way to tell is to poke your finger down about an inch into the soil and see if it's moist or dry. I will tell you though, I generally have to water my Ficus trees 2 times a week in the winter. Sometimes as many as 3 times, but that all depends on what they need. But they will need a good amount of light, so if you don't think there is enough you should look into ways to supplement it. Plant/grow lights are pretty cheep compared to the time and effort you have put into your trees.

Personally, once my tropicals are inside for the winter, inside is where they stay until spring, moving the tree from 40-70 degree temps suddenly over and over will probably make the tree unhappy, so I would avoid that.

Hope this helps
Adam