Juniper question

extreme911ca

Hello. i just bought a juniper bonsai. But i have a question regarding soil. Its looks like they put regular flower mixture in the pot. Should i replace it with bonsai mixture (Haydite, River Rock, Turface.. etc?). And if yes, should i do this at this time of the year, or it will survive until spring? (Picture with the current pot soil attached)

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Cathie

Where do you live? It may survive if you keep it outside, but that also depends on where you are, how much precipitation you get, how cold it gets, etc. etc. If you leave it in the pot (vs the ground) you'll have to learn not to water except when it's needed, and over the winter that can be relatively infrequent (if at all... if you're somewhere that gets lots of snow and the ground freezes up for months).

extreme911ca

Im in Toronto, Canada. Sometimes we have a lot of snow and sometimes its really cold but not for a long time. Yes i will leave juniper it in the pot. Im just wondering if i should change the soil in the pot for some proper one.

susieq

The best time to repot a juniper is very early spring.... If the tree looks like it is doing ok then leave the repot/soil change until then. Junipers are cold hardy so they don't normally need protection. But when in a pot, the roots need protection from real hard freezes... You can bury the pot in the ground to protect the roots or dig a pit in the ground and put the tree into it, mulching heavily with straw. The tree should be out for any sunny days and protected only from prolonged freezing weather as described above.

Living in Florida, I am not well versed in all the ways you can protect trees when you live in a real cold climate but others will chime in here to help out in that department. But unless the tree looks like it is suffering, don't mess with the roots until spring. Also, cut back on the watering as winter arrives. They use a lot less water then and if the soil is too rich in organics, it will get soggy and rot your roots.

Cathie

Hey, I moved here from T.O. 10 yrs ago so I know what it's like. If you leave it in the pot, sink the pot into a larger one (like a milk crate) of mulch in Nov. and once the soil freezes, don't water til it thaws and warms up enough to dry out halfway (at least). Let it get snowed on. Don't repot now but watch the watering (err on the drier side). Also only fertilize now with a very low nitrogen (lst #) one til spring, then switch back to a balanced one. Schultz Liquid Cactus is good for now.

extreme911ca

Got more questions

1. I will try to find Schultz Liquid Cactus in a store but if not, how do i choose proper fertilizer?

2. And what would be "balanced" fertilizer (for the future)

Cathie

All fertilizer comes in containers (plastic jars or boxes of powder or sticks) with 3 numbers across the front, or on the side. The 1st number is always nitrogen, the second phosphorus and the third potash (potassium) (or do I have the last two backwards?). A balanced one would be 15-15-15 vs 10-20-15. Schultz Liquid Cactus comes in a small squarish plastic jar with dark green stuff inside (2-10-10 or something similar) and an eyedropper cap - avail. all over - so just follow directions. The middle number of fertilizers may often be higher than the others, and that's what you'd use on a flowering plant.

october

Hello extreme911ca.....The best thing for the tree would be to purchase an organic, preferably, pellet or cake based fertilizer...You can find these at bonsai nurseries, or even easier, on line. Many of these "cake" fertilizers are made up of rape seed and other orgainc products...There are things like green dream and other brands.

These are all natural, slow release products that flush nutrients into the soil everytime you water. They are much safer than synthetic, regualr store bought brands. Regular store bought brands can burn roots and should be used at half strength. It is more reassuring to just use the cakes or pellets.

Also, you would only want to fertilize up till the beginning of Fall. No fertilzer should be given from the end of Fall till the late Winter/early Spring.

Also, dependiing on the size of your tree and other things. You may want to protect this tree from this particular upcoming harsh winter. For example, if this tree is small, say under 9 inches or so and in a shallow pot, say about 2 inches deep, a harsh winter (temps below 20 degrees f and snow and wind) would probably kill this tree. There are several reasons for this. First, from the looks of it and the soil its in, this tree looks like a "mallsai". This tree may never have seen a harsh winter. Second, if it is a small tree, left outside in the teens or colder, the tree would freeze very quickly. Especially since its in that potting soil. That soil would freeze like an ice rock in the winter.

Although junipers can take quite the cold, You must consider all these factors and the factors concerning this particular tree...Where has the tree spent its last couple of winters? Is the tree small and able to winthstand a harsh winter etc.....

Probably the safest bet would be to just keep it in a well aired area, a garage or vacant apartment with air circulation or a protected deck area that is around 35-45 degrees for the winter and that gets very little light.

Next year, when you get it in good bonsai soil and the tree is healthy and you know that it survived the winter, then you can know your tree and provide it with the proper accomodations.

Rob

extreme911ca

I think this tree wasnt in cold before. Bought it from some Chineese store. My guess they getting it from some greenhouse. Im leaving in apartment, so i don't have any garage.. only balconies.. I was thinking of putting the pot to the small aquarium filled with mulch and covered with canopy on top at the winter time. Not sure if its will be enough... At least it will be protected from wind. ..

Any more balconie related recommendations?