Will She Get Better? (PICTURES)

Shambhala

This is my first (and probably last) store-bought bonsai. I got it from a reputable store, it's just that I really should have trained my own bonsai and gotten the hang of it before I got this one.

Anyways, it is a Juniper and hasn't been doing so well due to overwatering, temperature shock, and anything I could throw at it

I took it to the store about a month and a half ago and they took care of it for a few weeks. They pruned a lot back, mostly dead, and repotted it. They informed me that the pot it was in has poor drainage, so using the submerging method (which they advised me to do) had probably done a lot of harm.

Right now it is in a cool room, though it has been outside for the past 1.5 weeks when it was a nice temperature out and was very sunny... it is rainy right now.

I am going to post 3 pictures, one of the whole tree, one of some of the browning foliage, and one of the branches that is worrying me.

Advertisement

Shambhala

Sorry for the quality, I had to make it a little worse to make it a smaller file.

Here is a closeup of the foliage. The tips are a little brown. I believe this is the juvenile needles - after they pruned it, this was left. It is about 2-3 inches long, grows upright, and is very prickly.

Shambhala

Here is one part of the tree that worries me. One of the primary branches has a few small branches leading out. On a few of these, the foliage is fine but the base is brown. Is it safe to say it is dead?

Shambhala

That's it for now. Any tips on how to get it better would be awesome. I haven't watered it for about 1.5 weeks, and the soil is very slightly damp. I spray it daily but I haven't fed it lately, because of the condition (I am assuming feeding a weak tree wouldn't be good?).

One of the main things is natural light, it hasn't gotten much lately do to rain and overcast.

BTW, I haven't seen any buds or new growth yet, but I suppose it hasn't gotten warm enough for that.

Thanks!

Tony

Let me get this straight. They sold you the tree in the pot in the first place and told you to water by submersing it , then you took it back and they told you that the pot wasn't draining and you had damaged it by submersion watering? I think I remember now when you posted earlier that they also told you to keep it inside for the winter. Hanging out a shingle does not make one a reputable bonsai dealer. It sounds like bad advice all the way around. You really should demand your money back or at least a replacment tree.

The tree looks dead. Are there any soft needles left or are they all dry? When's the last time you've seen any new growth? Junipers need to be outside fulltime. If you are worrried about rain, put in under an eave or awning. I'm afraid this one is a lost cause.

Tony

Shambhala

I know, I was a little peeved (to say the least) that they would essentially sell me a defective product. The least they could have done was replace the pot or even the whole tree.

I think it is dead too, it actually looks worse today >

But just in case there is a hint of life in it, should I leave it outside anyways? It is pretty cold out right now, about 46 degrees.

Jay

Hi there.... leave it outside!!! If its dead....well its dead! If it has a chance it needs to be outside..... the temps you are talking about are nothing to this tree. He will be happy outside way colder than the mid- 40's F. Do not overwater.... being stressed he will require little water, but do not let him dry out either! Just think, if its dead nothing you do can make it worse. Be patient give it time....many weeks.... and HOPE! Good Luck!

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

Shambhala

Thanks for the good words

Just curious, how does watering put stress on the tree?

Tony

Normal watering won't stress the tree. What Jay is talking about is keeping the soil too wet, which can lead to root rot and dead roots. If the tree is not actively growing it won't loose much moisture through it's leaves and won't need to be watered as often.

Tony