Once & for all, junipers inside yes or no?

rockm

For what it's worth, a ledge underneath a window outside probably isn't a terrific place for a plant in the wintertime. Temperatures would tend to vary pretty widely and would tend to the extremes--too hot in the daytime, followed by a complete collapse of temps at night. This would happen since the plant is exposed on all sides by air and is offered little protection by anything of size and mass. The ground is a better place for overwintering, as it tends to stay "warm" for longer. It is alot more stable temperature wise than a ledge. Stable, constant temperature is what keeps bonsai healthy in overwintering. Extremes are to be avoided at all costs.

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Oysterowl83

Never..My choice.

Anthony*

Repotter

Vance made reference to Jack Wikle who has grown his Procumbens indoors for ten years.

Jack Wikle is the benchmark for growing indoors and he has written a book on it.

I highly recommend it for growing any tree indoors. I believe he speaks of the degree of difficulty as well.

I was forced to keep a Procumbens Juniper indoors for one winter when someone gave it as a gift for Christmas, being it was too late in the year to put it outdoors.

I kept it in a cool basement with fluorescent lights as close as 6" and a small 6" fan for air circulation. It did well and survived and in spring it was moved outdoors where it still is ten years later.

Hector

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Vance Wood

What part of temptation to bring indoors is causing you to think I am assuming he is growing indoors? Logic would make the assumption that you cannot bring indoors if the tree is already indoors. I merely supplied the reasons for why you cannot/shouldnot bring indoors. I suppose I could have merely said you can't grow this tree in the house-----Why?----because I said so. I'm sorry you are misunderstanding me.

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bwaynef

The above, coupled with the advice you gave led me to believe you thought he was growing it indoors.

The part where you continue to mention him growing indoors (at least in telling him not to) when he's NOT and doesn't seem to be inclined to.

I still don't understand how its not better for the plant to be on the ledge than indoors. Spencer's situation is probably one that many are in, so its better than nothing. I still don't see how its needs won't be met on the ledge though. Thats all I'm asking.

Too little variation in temperature (ie: too warm from the house holding heat?)
Too little wind?

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Spencer

Yowsa! I leave you all alone for a few hours, and then this... hehehe...

Maybe I should clarify some things.

First off... Obviously keeping the bonsai on the ledge that I have built outside my kitchen window isn't ideal - but given the situation that I'm in, it's as ideal as it's gonna get I think. *lol*

Secondly... The ledge is north facing, and I'm in the northern hemisphere. That means it won't get a lot of sun - so it won't cook in the summer, but then again it likely won't grow as quickly either...?

Finally... I'm on the top floor of a three story apartment building. It's either keep it where it is, or else get rid of it. I suppose I could take it back to my parent's house and plant it there, but I don't think it would get the same care and attention I give him.

Temperatures here in Vancouver hover around 5'C to 10'C (40'F to 55'F) in the winter, and they rarely dip below freezing. During the summer, temperatures usually are in the 15'C to 25'C range (60'F to 85'F). They rarely surpass 30'C (90'F). (All temperatures estimated)

That's about it, I guess.

Cheers,
Spencer

PS - here's my juniper (photo taken indoors, but don't worry he doesn't live indoors. and the rocks are NOT glued on. *lol* I'm planning on repotting him this spring...?)

Attached Images

desi resized.JPG (49.3 KB, 64 views)

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Vance Wood

It sounds like it might be OK, I had it envisioned that you might have the thing on a South facing location where in the summer it might fry. It will grow OK, but you should rotate the tree about once a week to make sure all sides of the tree are getting sufficient light. Before you repot the tree test how solid it is in the pot. If it has been recently repotted, before you received it, it might not be a good idea to repot this spring. You can generally tell if the tree kind of wobbles back and forth and seems loose in the pot. If it does this wait another year. Junipers do not like to be disturbed more than like once every three years or so.

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Spencer

Thanks Vance.

The juniper seems pretty solid in the pot - I'm not sure about the soil. When I get home I'm going to clear all the rocks off the top and take a good look at what the soil is made up of. If I remember correctly, it seemed just like regular dirt to me. *lol* I'm fairly certain it's not (as it came from a seemingly decent bonsai nursery), but it wouldn't hurt to check I suppose.

Thanks.
Spencer

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Vance Wood

It will probably be OK to repot this spring. If I am not mistaken you get a good deal of rain where you live? If this is true it probably should be repotted if your description of the condition of the soil is correct.

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The only finished bonsai is a dead one; me 1992 MABA Des Moines Iowa