Initial Roadmap

jonski

Yesterday, I acquired my first bonsai tree and immediately made the cardinal error of getting a Juniperus Chinensis for indoor use. The decision came after lengthy discussions with local bonsai experts, of which most said the juniper will survive indoors in my native near-arctic Finland (if set in front of a leaking window during winter). Let's see how right they were.

Meanwhile, I would like to have some help from You regarding the roadmap for my tree. The tree is between ten and 15 years of age and has been trained for an unknown period. My initial plan is to:

1. Let the tree rest in its new home and get acquainted with its climate (the tree was imported from Holland)

2. Repot the tree next spring (in about 11 months)

3. Start pruning and training the three in autumn of 2007 (in about 17 months)

Is this a sensible plan, or do You think the tree could take some pruning already incoming autumn? (in about five months)

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PatArizona

G'day Jonski...

Welcome to the wonderful world of bonsai...although, Finland must be a world of its own if you can keep Juniper Bonsai healthy and happy indoors.

All Junipers are outdoor trees...restricting them to indoor life is certain death. If you really know what you are doing with Junipers, you may be able to keep them alive...maybe, maybe, maybe...indoors for 2 or 3 years.

If your local experts have some magical, secret method to keep junipers happy and healthy indoors, for more than a couple of years, please ask them to let the rest of the bonsai world know what it is.

Anyway, notwithstanding a magical, secret method, expect your juniper to expire somewhere after about 6 months.

So, enjoy your juniper while you can...

Pat

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