birdhouselady
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Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:41 pm
Location: Edna

Conifer Bonsai

Just received a bonsai which the florist says is a conifer (pine needles on the branches it seems). She tells me it is to be kept indoors. the florist here and the surrounding areas have never grown a bonsai tree. Its in a ceramin container with drain holes. The tree is about 7 inches high - not large. I can see the roots and its covered with soil and small rocks. The florist tells me to water it once a week. I am noticing that the pines are turning brown and with even just a little touch; some of the pines are falling off in clumps. It looks healthy but I don't want to overwater or underwater. My husband gave this to me as a birthday gift and I would prefer to keep it alive. I have it by a windown that gets sunlight but not direct hot sun.

Our climate is mostly warm (south texas). Northers are now coming in. The plant has been indoors in the florist shop for about 1 month. The florist ordered the plant and tried to keep it alive before she gave it to me. She has done well and the florist said it looks the same as when she got it.

She advised me that the pines will mostly turn brown and I shouldn't be alarmed. They will all grow back. Is this true?

I have read that I should get a watering meter to know when it needs water. Is this a good idea?

Any ideas can help and would be appreciated. I have done reasearch and read on the conifers but the advice seems to be "general".

ynot
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Posts: 1219
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:49 am
Location: USDA Z:5a Sunset Z. 41 IL

Hello,
We need a picture please as that would help considerably in identifying it.
birdhouselady wrote:Just received a bonsai which the florist says is a conifer (pine needles on the branches it seems). She tells me it is to be kept indoors. the florist here and the surrounding areas have never grown a bonsai tree.
birdhouselady wrote:The florist ordered the plant and tried to keep it alive before she gave it to me. She has done well and the florist said it looks the same as when she got it.
If she ordered it, She had to call it something It is important to find out what you have there. Ask her to either look up the paperwork or call the vendor where she got it to identify it for you.
Either way, Growing it indoors is a mistake. One that will eventually kill it.
[I can think of things similar to what you describe that would be sutable for indoors, But we need to hear from the florist.]
birdhouselady wrote:Its in a ceramin container with drain holes. The tree is about 7 inches high - not large. I can see the roots and its covered with soil and small rocks.
If the rocks are glued on PLEASE remove them. They inhibit proper watering, soil aeration etc.etc...
birdhouselady wrote: The florist tells me to water it once a week. It looks healthy but I don't want to overwater or underwater.
I have read that I should get a watering meter to know when it needs water. Is this a good idea?
No need for a meter, Allthough she may have had the best of intentions, Your florist has given extremely bad advice here.
Here is the problem:
Watering on a schedule in no way addresses this question:
'Does the tree require water?'
You check it every day, you water when it needs it. Check for moisture by digging down about two knuckles into the soil. If it is moist-do not water. Just feeling the surface is not adaquate.
To water properly thouroghly soak the surface until water runs strongly from the drainage holes-Wait 10 minutes then repeat. The second soaking is to attempt to saturate the soil as much of the first watering runs down the inner pot wall as opposed to soaking in.

Do take a look at the stickey pertaining to soil, Then take a good look at your soil and see if it is suitable.
See that here: https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3422
birdhouselady wrote:I am noticing that the pines are turning brown and with even just a little touch; some of the pines are falling off in clumps.
Brown is not a healthy color for foiliage [Ok, needles :wink: ] on pines.
Do this: Scratch the bark in an inconspicuous spot and see if the cambium layer is green, It will be quite bright.
If it is brown underneath you have a dead tree and chances are you bought it that way.
birdhouselady wrote:She advised me that the pines will mostly turn brown and I shouldn't be alarmed. They will all grow back. Is this true?
My personal opinion of that statement is that it is either [At the very minimum] terribly misinformed or willingly deceptive.
Neither is good, I hope she is willing to take it back [If it fails the scratch test.] As according to her 'They will all grow back'.

birdhouselady wrote: My husband gave this to me as a birthday gift and I would prefer to keep it alive. I have it by a windown that gets sunlight but not direct hot sun.
As noted, It needs to be outside.
birdhouselady wrote:Any ideas can help and would be appreciated. I have done reasearch and read on the conifers but the advice seems to be "general".
First we need a solid identification.
In the meantime you can read plenty of article on bonsai basics and pines at these two sites:I suggest reading the beginners articles as well as ones on watering, soil, positioning, and the 'species guides'.

https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm
Here is a care sheet about pines. https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Pinus.html
These two sites contain massive amounts of information for you to research.
Do post the results of the scratch test.
Good luck.
ynot

birdhouselady
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Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:41 pm
Location: Edna

I have pictures I could show you but unclear how I upload them. I read the FAQ but still don't understand. Sorry!

birdhouselady
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Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:41 pm
Location: Edna

Hey, I tried to send you an email with pictures but it came back as non deliverable.

ynot
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Posts: 1219
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:49 am
Location: USDA Z:5a Sunset Z. 41 IL

birdhouselady wrote:Hey, I tried to send you an email with pictures but it came back as non deliverable.
My email works fine.
{I just sent myself one through the onsite link and it worked perfectly.}

Posting the pictures for all to see is a far more effective measure than sending them to me.

To post pics go to https://www.imageshack.us/ and upload your pictures.

Then paste the code they create there into your posts here.

Did you call the florist?

birdhouselady
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Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:41 pm
Location: Edna

[url=https://img250.imageshack.us/my.php?image=football022hp2.jpg][img]https://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4462/football022hp2.th.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://img62.imageshack.us/my.php?image=football021jn0.jpg][img]https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9647/football021jn0.th.jpg[/img][/url]

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[url=https://img62.imageshack.us/my.php?image=football019lx9.jpg][img]https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2297/football019lx9.th.jpg[/img][/url]

I have added the pictures of my bonsai tree!

[url=https://img62.imageshack.us/my.php?image=football018hy0.jpg][img]https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1448/football018hy0.th.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://img250.imageshack.us/my.php?image=football017gd9.jpg][img]https://img250.imageshack.us/img250/2129/football017gd9.th.jpg[/img][/url]

ynot
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Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:49 am
Location: USDA Z:5a Sunset Z. 41 IL

birdhouselady wrote: I have scratched it like you said and I see NO green at all. It is brown (light brown) in color. I have asked the florist all kinds of questions and I get no where. She assures me that its normal that the pines are turning brown; I assure her its not. She has told me that if the tree dies, she will order me a new one.
Sorry to say,
Your tree is dead, :cry: Contact the florist.
Personally, If I were you I would take my money elsewhere. Run far far away from this florist.
ynot

oceanzwisper
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Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:07 pm
Location: texas

HELP! My husband bought a juniper bonsai from a bonsai dealer. This was a gift, but he did tell me it wasn't a florist, mail ordered or bought in a department store.
My directions also state the this is an indoor tree to be placed in indirect light and checked for water frequently. I have read other posts, and my watering isn't everyday. I don't let it get dry, but also don't put my finger all the way into the bottom of the container.
This plant is supposedly a 10 year old tree, and I've owned it for about 6 weeks. Now the "needles" are turning brown.
I scratched the bark as well. It appears that the bark is dry and light brown. I'm worried that it's already died. [/img]

Sharp
Senior Member
Posts: 139
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:42 pm

There's a good chance its dead already.

Ynot has really addressed everything here well.

But just to add a few pointers.

These really are a result product of commercial bonsai. Or "mallsai" as we like to call em. Only kept alive just long enough to sell em. They usually arn't kept in great conditions and usually die just long enough for it to seem like its the consumer's fault. If at all possible find a local bonsai club or actual store. You'll fare much better that way and have a longer return in your investment.

Although junipers and pines are an outdoor trees, having them indoors is a slow death, usually not the cause of an immediate down turn. Its the loss of their dormant period that is the cause here. And of course mallsai dealers don't care much about that.

If you are seeking an indoor bonsai (and to my experience most beginners are) then id suggest a tropical ...perhaps a ficus. They are hardy and do well indoors with good amounts of light and care.

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Gnome
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Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

oceanzwisper,

Brown cambium indicates a dead tree. It was probably dead or dying before you got it. Junipers can look reasonably healthy for weeks or even months after they are actually dead, think of a Christmas tree that is dead but still green.
Having it indoors certainly did it no good either, our homes are too hot and too dry for most plants to thrive. Low light levels are also an issue. Juniper are a very poor candidate for indoor culture.

Norm

oceanzwisper
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Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:07 pm
Location: texas

I thought it had died. Thanks for the help.
All of the posts have been very helpful, and educational for me.
I don't have much by way of gardening skills, so as much as I would really love to grow one of these beautiful works of art I doubt I will be sucessful. Thanks again!
Sharp wrote:There's a good chance its dead already.

Ynot has really addressed everything here well.

But just to add a few pointers.

These really are a result product of commercial bonsai. Or "mallsai" as we like to call em. Only kept alive just long enough to sell em. They usually arn't kept in great conditions and usually die just long enough for it to seem like its the consumer's fault. If at all possible find a local bonsai club or actual store. You'll fare much better that way and have a longer return in your investment.

Although junipers and pines are an outdoor trees, having them indoors is a slow death, usually not the cause of an immediate down turn. Its the loss of their dormant period that is the cause here. And of course mallsai dealers don't care much about that.

If you are seeking an indoor bonsai (and to my experience most beginners are) then id suggest a tropical ...perhaps a ficus. They are hardy and do well indoors with good amounts of light and care.



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