Juniper Bonsai in Trouble

NLN

I have a juniper bonsai, perhaps 15 or 20 years old, which has been in my care for about 4 years. The tree is about 18" tall and about as wide.

During most of that time the tree has been doing well, and I transplanted it once two years ago. This year, however, it has not been doing as well, and I am concerned about it.

The tree had very little new growth this year, and put out a lot of little "cones" in the spring. It is now beginning to put out another crop of cones.

The foliage is not the bright green that it once was, but has turned a gray green. In a few instances, small shoots have turned brown and died.

The new growth that is visible is on some branches but not all, and is a bit spotty, and localized.

For the first few years that I owned the tree I watered it once each morning and again in the evening. Since this problem has been occurring I have been setting the tree in a tray where it may "suck up" the water from below as well as above, but this doesn't seem to make much difference.

The tree looks as if it isn't getting enough water, but I don't think this is the case because the soil is always damp and moss is growing beneath the tree.

Could I be over-watering the tree? Would it look this way if I was?

I am probably not fertilizing the tree enough, but I'm afraid to try anything now, for fear of harming the tree further.

Any suggestions would be very welcome!

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Bonsai Barry

You're watering may be too ambitious. If you're watering it from above and below, you may be forcing all of the air out of the soil. I think you'd be better off watering less frequently and keeping it out of bright direct sunlight. I'm assuming that you're keeping it outside. If not, do so immediately. If you posted photos showing the tree, the pot and the soil, you may get some needed advice.

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Bonsai Barry

"Our talent lies in our choices."