Hello I found this site on Google in desperate help for my bonsai tree I bought at the fair. It is a year old and I think it is a juniper. The man I bought it from said that I should only water it twice a week (2 oz) and not to put it in direct sunlight. He didn't say that I couldn't keep it inside. He also gave me a small bottle with green liquid. I think my tree is dying b/c the leaves are brittle and some of the branches are brown. How do I keep the branches hydrated and is it too late???
Please someone help me!!
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bonbon
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opabinia51
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Hi bonbon, if the leaves are brittle, the plant is probably not being watered enough. Don't judge the water needs of your plant by some proconcieved schedule. Test the soil with a tooth pick. Immerse the toothpick in the soil; if there is no dirt stuck to the toothpick after immersion, the plant needs watering.
A juniper should definately be kept outside. Inside it will only suffer and slowly die on you.
(Are you sure that it is a Juniper? Does the tree have large flat leaves or small needles? (which, are also leaves))
Misting is a good way to ensure that the leaves are recieving enough moisture. Daily misting will probably be a good thing for your tree. Also, if your soil (or rather) the trees soil is parched and dry; immerse the entire pot into a sink of water for about an hour. This will give your tree a good watering.
Doing this about once a week should be adequate for watering but, like I said: check the soil.
The green stuff is probably some sort of fertilizer but, I would just buy a bottle of liquid seaweed fertilizer if I were you. Dilute as per the instructions on the bottle.
A juniper should definately be kept outside. Inside it will only suffer and slowly die on you.
(Are you sure that it is a Juniper? Does the tree have large flat leaves or small needles? (which, are also leaves))
Misting is a good way to ensure that the leaves are recieving enough moisture. Daily misting will probably be a good thing for your tree. Also, if your soil (or rather) the trees soil is parched and dry; immerse the entire pot into a sink of water for about an hour. This will give your tree a good watering.
Doing this about once a week should be adequate for watering but, like I said: check the soil.
The green stuff is probably some sort of fertilizer but, I would just buy a bottle of liquid seaweed fertilizer if I were you. Dilute as per the instructions on the bottle.
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The Helpful Gardener
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Hi Bon Bon,
Brittle is not good; brown is worse. This tree is probably entering permanent dormancy, end phase mortality, whatever you want to call dead. With the care instructions you were given I am suprised that it has lasteed as long as it has; that's not a lot of water and I suspect that the soil is not really bonsai soil at all for it to have survived as long as it did.
MIsting and a good soaking of the pot are all great ideas assumiong something is left alive, but I am not hopeful. Most bonsai in the States are sold by unqualified persons out to make a killing quickly; malls, fairs, tradeshows and such are likely places for these "growers" to show up...
Once again, this is a good reason to buy from a reputable garden center...
Scott
Brittle is not good; brown is worse. This tree is probably entering permanent dormancy, end phase mortality, whatever you want to call dead. With the care instructions you were given I am suprised that it has lasteed as long as it has; that's not a lot of water and I suspect that the soil is not really bonsai soil at all for it to have survived as long as it did.
MIsting and a good soaking of the pot are all great ideas assumiong something is left alive, but I am not hopeful. Most bonsai in the States are sold by unqualified persons out to make a killing quickly; malls, fairs, tradeshows and such are likely places for these "growers" to show up...
Once again, this is a good reason to buy from a reputable garden center...
Scott