My little guy

2long4u

This is my second bonsai. The first was several years ago and didn't go well. So far we are off to a rough start. I had him inside and was keeping the lake full of water.
I moved him outside and stopped watering him after reading some of the stickys. The lake is nice as it waters the tree like a chia pet.

Attached Images

	DSC_0001-2.JPG (68.0 KB, 100 views)
	DSC_0002-2.JPG (65.5 KB, 49 views)
	DSC_0003-2.JPG (69.2 KB, 59 views)
	DSC_0004-2.JPG (69.1 KB, 82 views)

Advertisement

Vonsgardens

Is that the bridge on the river Kwai?

Nice landscape. Keep it outside.

John
(Now I am off to trvel 6500 miles east from the far east... does that make sense? John)

__________________
"Wiring is simple; However, it is not easy to do it right" Boon

eeiko321

is that a mallsai?

2long4u

It is supposed to be 8 years old. My wife bought it from a store in the mall. I havn't had it for very long. It started to dry up a couple of weeks ago. There is needles falling off, but some of the foliage still feels soft.

I ordered some Trident Maple seeds from ebay. It may be a ripoff but for $5 who cares. I hope they work out.

eeiko321

well in that case...

what i would suggest the first step ...is ...

if you could have a read of this link... it may make you understand a little more

http://wiki.bonsaitalk.com/index.php/Beware_the_mallsai

PatArizona

G'day 2long...

For starters...welcome to bonsaiTALK...

Questions and Ecetera...

Your bonsai is indeed, a Juniper Malsai...however, the Malsai page you were referred to, although it contains a lot of good info, is not the bible of Malsai care. For one thing, the first thing it tells you is "...Immediately remove the glued-on rocks and decorations...". Normally, this is very good Malsai advice, but, your "Malsai" has what looks like some interesting rock work...disassembling this might screw up the whole thing...royally! If it isn't all ready.

So...pull back and regroup.

You said:

"...It started to dry up a couple of weeks ago..." and "...needles falling off...". Bad news, indeed. You may not be able to salvage it.

"...I had him inside...". That is guaranteed death for a Juniper...well, amost guaranteed. For many other species, as well.

"...stopped watering...". Bad on ya. You need to water...only when needed.

"...The lake is nice as it waters the tree...". NO! NO! NO! IF the lake IS watering your bonsai, that is BAD! That would mean that the bonsai's roots are standing in water, which would cause root rot...and, in short order, the death of your bonsai.

It is my OPINION...as is all of the above...that what you need to do...AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, as in "yesterday"...connect with a local bonsai club, and latch on to somebody with a lot of bonsai experience...in your geographical area.

This might help...
American Bonsai Assoc. of Sacramento. Meets the fourth Tuesday each month at 7 pm. at the Sacramento Garden and Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd, Contact: Simon Lau, Phone: (530) 622-9681 Email: NHCatLady@aol.com Website: http://www.bonsaisacramento.org. The club has excellent educational programs, outreach to beginning bonsai-ists, and high quality professional demonstrations.

This is where you can get the best availabloe advice...from people doing bonsai in your area.

And, 2long, remember that bonsai is a trip that insists on time and patience. Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey...

Pat

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

2long4u

Well half of the tree feels very dry as the other still feels moist inside (if that makes sense). I cut a little of the trunk and it was very soft and green inside. I think this is a good thing and am hoping for a recovery.

I will look into the club, but it may be hard as I work from 5pm-1:30am. I need to be there when the trucks are.

Mcspeed

2long, I think Pat was /is on the right track for you. If you can figure out how the lake waters the tree, or is it just offering up humidity. Watering junipers you want to avoid wet feet for very long, they need to be watered when they just start to dry out, with the soil just a bit moist, the other end is to not let them get very dry, so you need to keep an eye on it and water as it needs it.

Maybe next spring armed with a bit more knowledge, and it's still alive then look at repotting iteven if it's the same container, this will let you know for certain what is going on below. So if you think that the lake is watering the tree my advice would be to fill the lake with blue sand, and water from above.

Try the club thing though, you might find a lot of thier activities are on week ends, best bet for learning about our hobby. Good Luck

__________________
If at first you don't succeed -- skydiving is not for you.


Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else

Enjoy this day.
Bill

susieq

welcome to the forum 2long,
You should know right up front that most of us killed more trees than we like to think about when we were just starting out. There are a lot of vendors selling "mallsai" out there, who know nothing about bonsai, they didn't grow the things they are selling and they don't care about the things they are selling you, as long as it lives long enough for them to sell it to some sucker.

Most of us have been where you are, at one time. Please join a club if there is one nearby. It makes a world of difference. Armed with some basic knowledge, you will be able to go to the local nursery or big box store garden center, and recognize plants with good potential. Plants that you can turn into a bonsai 100 times better than any mallsai and probably for less money.

If no club is nearby, a good book and this forum can be very helpful. There are also workshops that you could travel to attend. Bonsai is not hard. There is a lot to learn but it's not rocket science.
good luck with your future bonsai......

for now, to check on the health of your current tree, scratch the bark of the trunk or some of the branches with your fingernail or something sharp. If it scratches green, the tree is not dead yet. If it scratches brown or any other color but green, it's dead, even if the needles still look green. Junipers are notorious for this. If it is dead, save the pot. You will find use for it again.
best wishes and hang in there.