bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Juniper, Ficus Retusa beginner help

I'd like to join this conversation... As far as the Juniper is concerned, I didn't read, where anyone might have suggested placing the tree in a garage, or in the ground, (mulched up to the first branch) This would eliminate the freeze/thaw problem. Or it could be put into a large cardboard box (without a top), with mulch up to the first branch. If no mulch is available you could use styrofoam peanuts. The problem, as I see it is that we are into winter, so it should be introduced slowly into the cold a few hours a day.
You didn't mention whether there were any glued on rocks, so if there are any, they should be removed pronto, and some soil add to replace the space. Junipers usually go into dormancy as there is less light as we approach winter. Before going on with this dissertation it would be nice to know a little more information.
I will say this one last fact: The first year I had three Junpers and they were kept indoors and all survived. They were kept in a cool place and did not have dormancy that year. But the next years they all were placed in a garage and mulched as mentioned above. I still have one, the otheer two I sold.

As far as the Ficus Retusa. I would use the Persiano pic method (also on the Juniper). Only water your tree(s) when the dirty end is almost dry. Most Ficus like to almost dry out between waterings. I supplement lighting by using fluorescents with a timer set for 18 hours per day.

I do hope this gives you some help.....

11-Jan-2004	#6
clrosner bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Nov-2001 Location: Southern New Jersey, USA Country: USA USDA Zone: 6/7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,022	I'd like to join this conversation... As far as the Juniper is concerned, I didn't read, where anyone might have suggested placing the tree in a garage, or in the ground, (mulched up to the first branch) This would eliminate the freeze/thaw problem. Or it could be put into a large cardboard box (without a top), with mulch up to the first branch. If no mulch is available you could use styrofoam peanuts. The problem, as I see it is that we are into winter, so it should be introduced slowly into the cold a few hours a day. You didn't mention whether there were any glued on rocks, so if there are any, they should be removed pronto, and some soil add to replace the space. Junipers usually go into dormancy as there is less light as we approach winter. Before going on with this dissertation it would be nice to know a little more information. I will say this one last fact: The first year I had three Junpers and they were kept indoors and all survived. They were kept in a cool place and did not have dormancy that year. But the next years they all were placed in a garage and mulched as mentioned above. I still have one, the otheer two I sold. As far as the Ficus Retusa. I would use the Persiano pic method (also on the Juniper). Only water your tree(s) when the dirty end is almost dry. Most Ficus like to almost dry out between waterings. I supplement lighting by using fluorescents with a timer set for 18 hours per day. I do hope this gives you some help..... __________________ Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7 arteacher3725@yahoo.com CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]: www.carlrosner.com