Good deed of the day

tb2776

Well, I think I helped rescue a juniper bonsai today. A co-worker brought in her bonsai (which she got out of a catalog) and had it sitting in an east-facing window.

All the leaves were turning yellow and falling off with gentle shakes.

She said that it had turned that color and she was concerned that it was dying. Another co-worker was trying to salvage it by watering it sparingly every day.

<Cue super hero music>

Well, I jumped in and made a few inquiries.

I told her first, "We can't grow this indoors. It's a tree. It needs to be outside. Do you see any trees growing in here?"

"But it's so small, won't it die? And it gets cold out there," she said.

"This is a pretty hardy tree; I'm pretty sure it can take it, I said. I know you want to nurture it and take care of it, but trust me, it will be healthier outside," I continued (note the sensitive tone in my voice).

"Give it a good soaking first, use a chopstick to test moisture levels," I continued. "Hopefully in the spring it will bounce back."

"You think I can save it."

"Absolutely. I've done worse," I said.

Well, I think that's my good deed for the day. How was my advice -- not too harsh and not full of misinformation, I hope.

--Tony

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Greetings from Flemington, NJ
Zone 6

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Joanie

Oh, Gold Medal work!

Hopefully the juniper isn't too far gone and dies anyway.....

but you did your part very well!

Joanie

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cbobgo

well I commend your effort, but if the juniper's needles were all yellow and falling off, it is dead, and has probably been dead for several months.

If she wants to have a bonsai inside, get her a ficus.

- bob

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soonami

If it's showing yellow leaves now, it might already be dead. Juniper are notorious for retaining their color and still living, that's why they are carried often by mass bonsai dealers, because from the time the tree arrives and by the time they sell it, it will stay green, whether or not it is still alive doesn't concern.

I would've scratched a piece of the bark near the base to see if the cambium is still green. If so the tree still has a chance, if not, then it's dead.

Joanie

Or you could sneak in and spray paint it green....

it'll be years before she wonders why it never grows

Joanie

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RedPine

Theres a way around that one to,tell her it's a true shimpaku .

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mike_p

Actually, the juniper in question is the very popular variety, juniperus "Sayonara". There are probably more of these in southeast facing windows and on top of tv sets than any other variety. If kept dry and sprayed with green lacquer, they last almost forever. Rumour has it that one was found in King Tut's tomb.

Mike

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Joanie

HAHAHAHAHA splutter splutter HAHAHA holding my sides gasping

juniperus "Sayonara"

Mike, you are a KICK!

Joanie

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soltan

Did you get her phone number TB

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