Juniper Help

Cordon

I don't know what it is, but whenever I get a hold of a little juniper, I kill it. I think I've simply been letting them dry out. I've never seen any evidence of root rot, even on the dead specimens. I think the new soil mizx i was trying simply just didn't hold enough moisture. But i've also heard that junipers don't like to soil that is too wet. so Any help, any ideas, any junpier soil tips?

I'd really like to learn this because I'll be heading back to new mexico in a couple months, just in time for spring in the mountains. I'd love to try and collect some wild junipers and cedars.

cordon

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Bonsainut

Cord,
I think you have answered you own question pretty well. Keep on trying --keep on reading. We all kill some at first, don't give up, its really not that hard. Read read read

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Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

BonsaiGreenhorn

What soil mix were you using? Just water once soil is dry (stick your finger in there a little bit!)

These forums are very helpful in learning, like bonsainut said, readddd!

Let us know how things go.
-Evan

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bisco_bonsai

Could you give us more specific information about the soil and the kind of care you were giving it? This information would really help in the diagnosis. It sounds like you think your soil was too dry, did you water it properly? Did you "dunk" it every now and then to saturate the soil and counteract the capillary action cause by the large pores in the granular soil mix? Did you overwinter properly? I agree that the best advice we could give you would be to read, read, and then read some more. And after you've finished reading, reread what you've already read. And it also doesn't hurt to take notes; I still have my little "cheat sheets" I refer to if I can't remember a detail of daily care. There are some great books we could recommend to you if you need it. Please continue to ask questions, and let us know of your progress. I'll bet if you took a poll of how many here have killed a bonsai, at the very least 95% would say yes. Don't sweat it; some of the best lessons I learned, I'm glad I learned on inexpensive juniper stock. It is saving me lots of money in the long run. Anyway, best of luck to you and keep on asking questions.
All the best,
JDL

Cordon

second opinion,

I was looking at my tree yesterday, once I got home from work, to my suprise it is still alive. I had brought it inside for the last couple weeks, due to heavy rains here in CA. in my previous attempts with junipers i was using a regular potting soil. stupidly i had the poor tree in full sun in a window sill, but I sill managed to over water it. I'm now using a Cactus mix soil and have moved my tree outside where it gets a mix of full sun and difuse light. The soil seems to be much better draining and does not compact as easily.

I did get the tree to go dormant over the winter. Although since it started raining here in CA I had to move it into the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. Last night i trimmed off all of the dead tissue an watered well. I'll keep everyone posted as it recovers.

Cordon