Signs of a Dying Bonsai? (Please Read)

Shambhala

Greetings all, I got a Juniper Bonsai tree December 23rd, from a Bonsai store (not a Mallsai or anything like that).

For the first two weeks, at the advice of those who know nothing about Bonsais, I left it indoors. I then learned that it needs to be at a good temperature, so left it either in a cold room or garage. Right now it is always at around 9-13 degrees.

Unfortunately, I used the watering method where you submerge the entire thing a few times. I think I have a case of root rot or the pores on the roots are clogged or something like that, because it is still wet (I have been misting daily and watering from the top now) and it looks like it is drying.

All was going well, it began to turn a nice blue, indicating dormancy. Now, on a few (maybe 2-3 small branches that branch off the 'secondary branch') branches the tops are turning a little orange - not a dark brown or orange, but a light color.

I heard that Evergreens don't show signs of death until later on, think my poor tree has bit the dust?

Right now it is outside at a nice temperature and I will water it when the soil starts to dry out more. Any advice?

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Jay

Hi... just a quick thought for now. Were are you? You say the temp is 9-13, is that F or C? As for the tree not needing water, when it is dorment it will not require watering as often as when it is growing. Don't panic... if by chance it has died (and I hope it has not) doing the correct thing for it will not hurt. If it is still alive, well doing the right thing is..... well....right! Watering by submergeing is not going to kill it!
Have patience and hopefully all will be well.

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Shambhala

I am in Toronto (Canada) so that would be Celsius.

You just gave me some hope, someone else told me that hardwoods show dying later on (which I believe is true) and that a little browning means it is very close to dying.

That same person made me basically think the tree was dead.

But no matter what, I'll still take care of it - got my karma to think about

Tony

That's about 48-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Your tree will still be trying to grow at those temperatures [albeit very slowly] so it will need good light. No matter if you water from the top or by submersing, the main point is to time the watering to the trees own needs and not a set schedule. You want the soil to just stay damp. Not too dry and not too soggy but damp like a wrung out sponge.

Tony

Shambhala

My bonsai is by a window, but the sun isn't very bright there - would a large fluorescent light (not sure of the lums or whatever) be a good idea to put near it?

Also, two branches (unfortunately they are rather large) may be dead - they are somewhat brittle and browning. Should I just leave them there?

TreeBay

Shambala, your first message said the tree is finally outdoors and this recent one seems to suggest it is still indoors by a window.

Put it outside in as much sun as you can find in your yard, and don't water it again until the soil begins to dry out about 1/2" down.

The roots may already have died, but having it indoors won't help. *The tree isn't using water any more because it is shutting down.

Regards,

Matt

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Shambhala

I had to take it in for just one day, but the temperature in that room was pretty cold.

Right now it is sitting outside, I made sure it was in a position where the sun would be hitting it at most times.

I think it started to come out of dormancy premature (if this is possible) due to about two weeks of mistreating it. By keeping it outside, could this throw it's cycle out of whack, seeing how it should be getting warm in a month or so?

Tony

If it lives it will get its cycle back in sync and start putting out new growth when it warms up.

jonesy4_uk

Hi,
Im having problems with 2 trees i have, the first one had an infection, lots of white dots all over the soil, now 90% of the branches have lost their leaves, now after constant watering with pureified water it seems to have leaves growing back, will the branches with no leaves on them die ? also, i bought a 12 year old tree 3 weeks ago which is growing like mad but i am scared to chop too many leaves off, it also has a white chalky residue on the trunk, help, please, do i need some sort of chemical to kill off the infections ?