sick juniper

david9887

help.
I have taken care of an outdoor Juniper for almost 1 year. About 3 weeks ago, it was under-watered. So far, it has been resiliant to short lapses (as bad as they are to do). Now, even with careful attention to watering and a moderate fertilizing (peterson's 20-20-20) it hasn't improved (probably worsened).

Big problem is that it will not retain moisture. I have primarily brought it indoors and put it over a humidifier in addition to misting it constantly. Still, even the healthy looking growth is drying out rapidly even while remaining green.

Otherwise, new growth is still olive green. Could this be a root problem or disease? Not too much time left. Below is a link to pictures of it. The bottom ones show the overall problem best.

Last thing is I'm still getting green by scratching the trunk, so I don't believe it's gone yet. Any help will be appreciated. http://home.att.net/~dboreilly/sick_bonsai.htm

Best, and Thank You.
David

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rockm

If the soil dried out completely, it may be preventing re-wetting of the interior root mass. Dried out soil sometimes dries so hard that it repels water. The water you add from above simply rolls off the hard soil mass.

Punch a chopstick down two or three inches into the soil about an inch from the trunk. Do so again further out. See if the soil is dry inside the hole.

If it is, submerged the pot into a tub of water and let it sit for an hour or so.

If it's not dry inside, then consider the soil. Is it holding too much moisture?

bisjoe

What sort of soil is it? If there's any peat moss in it, and it gets dried out, it's nearly impossible to wet it again. If soaking doesn't work it would need to be repotted in better soil without peat moss. Soaking is not good to do on a regular basis because it forces out the air that the roots need.

david9887

Thanks to you both. The soil is ok. It's regular bonsai mix. I got it through a reputable dealer.
I could try re-soaking, but I'm still wondering it it's a root / disease problem. The drying is strange because even the greenest is brittle here and there. Any other ideas of course welcome.

rockm

"The drying is strange because even the greenest is brittle here and there. Any other ideas of course welcome."

Junipers are notorious for remaining green long after they're dead. The dryness is probably due to a root problem--overwatering can cause this curiously enough. The roots rot and can no longer transfer moisture to the foliage--it dries out and dies off--sometimes not losing its green color.

I have a feeling the roots dried out and killed the tree... It looks quite dead, but looks can be deceiving, especially with a photo. I'd let it be for a few more weeks --outside. Keep it moist and in a place out of the wind and direct sun. Wait to see if new green sprouts appear on the trunk, especially at branch junctures...