falling leaves

[tkrice]

I got a juniper bonsai tree a few months ago and now it is starting to drop its leaves. Should I be worried? Is this normal in the fall? I keep the tree inside most of the time. I have put it outside occasionally for fresh air or rain. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[Sharp]

I got a juniper bonsai tree a few months ago and now it is starting to drop its leaves. Should I be worried? Is this normal in the fall? I keep the tree inside most of the time. I have put it outside occasionally for fresh air or rain. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Yes, you should be worried about the tree. They are an outdoor tree. They aren't supposed to drop.

Junipers also need to experience a dormant period, brought on by fall then winter.


Is it dropping leaves or are they going brown and brittle?

[Gnome]

Thrice,

I second what Sharp has said, Junipers belong outside. There is a good chance that this tree is already dead or dying. Scratch the bark slightly and look for green material if you find some it may not be too late. At this time of year I am not really sure what to suggest however, I would probably put it outside and cross my fingers.

Review this thread.

[url]https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3315[/url]

Norm

[ynot]

Please post a picture, A juniper has needles not leaves.

Are you absolutely sure of the species?

Do post the results of the scratch test Gnome mentioned, They will be helpfull also.

ynot

[tkrice]

I am sure it is a juniper tree. And you're right, leaves was the incorrect term...the needles are falling. Not the individual needles, but about 0.5-1 cm segments of the branches are falling off. They are not turning brown, but seem very brittle. Maybe I didn't water it enough. I try to water it 1-2 times a week.

I did the scratch test, and I think I could see some green. I put the tree outside as you suggested. Can it stay outside all winter through the snow?
Also, during the dormant period, should I expect any change in the physical appearance of the tree?

Thanks for all your help.

[ynot]

I am sure it is a juniper tree. And you're right, leaves was the incorrect term...the needles are falling. Not the individual needles, but about 0.5-1 cm segments of the branches are falling off. They are not turning brown, but seem very brittle. Maybe I didn't water it enough. I try to water it 1-2 times a week.

I did the scratch test, and I think I could see some green. I put the tree outside as you suggested. Can it stay outside all winter through the snow?
Also, during the dormant period, should I expect any change in the physical appearance of the tree?

Thanks for all your help.

Um...you would know for sure if you saw green. Scratch it again and make sure.

You cannot possibly water on a schedule, read the links below, A junipers foliage can stay green for months after its demise.
Junipers live outside in weather like yours in their natural enviroment, besides snow is an excellent insulator.
Do read alot at this site to inform you about bonsai in general and junipers also. https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Juniperus.html
Your next tree will benefit from your study of the info contained there.

The shock of just plunking it outside without any acclimation as it had not been living there adjusting to the dropping temps is not going to be good for it at all [If it is still alive, Which I am doubting very much, Sorry.].

It needs to acclimate to the temps. Read up on those links.
Get back to us about the second scratch. Any possibility of a picture?

[tkrice]

I took a picture of the tree, but apparently it needs to be on a publicly accessible web server to attach it. I don't know how to do that.

There is green material when I did another scratch test.

Those links were very helpful. Thanks.

[Gnome]

Thrice,

Many members here use Image Shack to host their photos. Here is the link.
[url]https://imageshack.us/[/url]
Simply browse to the location of the file on your PC and then click the host it button. Then cut and paste the appropriate URL into your next post.

If you anticipate hosting more than a few pictures you should probably sign up with them, it is easy and free but not required.

Norm

[tkrice]

Thanks Norm for the info on posting pictures. Here it is...

[url=https://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01658yg3.jpg][img]https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9114/dsc01658yg3.th.jpg[/img][/url]

[ynot]

There is green material when I did another scratch test.

Those links were very helpful. Thanks.

Ok there is still hppe then, Green=life.
Is this a current/recent picture?

Considering the temps you are allready experiencing outdoors you will need to take several weeks to gradually lower the temps of the trees living conditions. [Which will sort of simulate falling temps during Autum-Though not the changing light levels.] Taking a few weeks to place it in an unheated room, then a sheltered area outside [or an unheated screen porch would be perfectly acceptabe]

Do continue to read the links provided and ask related questions. [Another place full of articles is https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm
I suggest -Watering, Overwintering, Dormancy, and Junipers as well as the beginners articles. There is no shortage of info there ]
Continued research is the best thing you can do for your tree now.
[ Do not fertilize it BTW, It is far too late in the season for that.]
ynot