mallsai

[color=Blue:fd3ea0ddc2][/color:fd3ea0ddc2]oke, got a mallsai for christmas, it's actually very nice, the root ball is visible on the surface of the soil, i've got a branch shading my lil fisher guy, but it's a juniper. I've read that if it's a juniper mallsai, then it's prolly dead already, just not showin me yet. So my question is... HOW DO I SAVE IT? I don't want my lil friend to be doomed!

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bonsaial1

It's very hard to tell this time of year. But.... the needles should be glossy, should still be soft to the touch and sometimes they will turn kind of bronzie(color) this time of year. If they are pale and dull, or are falling off in any way this could be trouble. Depending where you live and the temp. it could still be growing. This has been a very mild winter here in the central valley, Fresno, and my junipers are still pushing buds. I actually did pinching today to maintain shape, as some tips had allready grown 1/2 an inch this winter. Hope this helps, Bonsaial

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Experience is fundamental

[color=Blue:2d41a2ccc8][/color:2d41a2ccc8] Thanks! I checked, and the leaves are still soft, and it's still a glossy green, which as you said, is good. Bear with me i'm really new at this. Should i wait it out a few weeks before i start wiring and pinching back, and pruning it? Or do you think it'd be oke to start now?
Thanks for the help! ~Sara

bonsaial1

Hi Sara, Where do you live? Are the winters very cold? Does the tree have the little pebbles glued on the top of the soil. If it does, I would try to crack this off as soon as possible. If you are in a mild zone you want to keep the tree out doors. If the tree seems to be healthy, then this would be a good time to prune and wire. I would not repot the juniper specis yet, as they do better repotting later. Maybe late Feb. Regards, Bonsaial

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Experience is fundamental

I live in southern washington, it doesn't get too cold during the day, maybe 35 once in awhile, but it does get cold at night. We've got a lot of plants in our yard that either have bugs or some sort of fungus on the bark, so i'm a little leary of putting it in the yard, and i haven't built a place to put it so it's up and away from everything else. I have a sunny window, that gets sun about 8 hrs a day. I was thinking about investing in a grow light if i don't think it's getting enough. Like i said though, i'm really new, and i don't know what to do. Checked it out really good this morning and i've got a few dead leaves (i don't know whether to call them needles or leaves, it's like they're both) on the underside of the tree.

bonsaial1

Light is not so much the issue as enviornment. Do you have a covered porch either front or back? just get the tree outside so it can soak up the humidity from the air. Inside a heated house is slow death for bonsai, unless their tropicals ie: ficus, ivy, serrisa. The tree will do so much better outside.

Regards, Bonsaial

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Experience is fundamental

[color=Red:11e88a4b9b][/color:11e88a4b9b] I really don't have anywhere else to put it until spring (when i can build something for it to go on) can i mist it a few times a day until then? or am i still doomed if i do? If so, can i pick up a cheap humidifier until spring?

Sara. I'm with Al on this one. I think you should put the tree outside right away. If 35 is your lowest temps then you don't have to bury the pot or mulch it or anything. Just set it outside and water when it starts to dry out. Some people do grow junipers indoors rigging up humidifiers, fans, grow lights and leaving the windows open but it's not easy and most of them still eventually die.

Tony

Tristessa

Thanks Al and Tony! Even though i've heard it a few times now, i guess i was still hoping to have my little juiper friend growing in my window sill. He's outside where the poor little tree belongs (after the soaking and taking out of the little fisherman guy, who wasn't glued on or squishing roots, so i think i can put him back in). Next project... making these chinese zelkova seeds grow! Thanks and happy planting!