Help with new Juniper

[vegansloth]

I recently received a Juniperus procumbens (according to the label) as a gift. I kept it inside for a few days, until I was able to do some research and found out it needs to be outside. Some of the needles are brown, but most are green. Hopefully this is okay!

I've read that Junipers can look healthy even after they have died, and since I don't know how this tree has been treated I did a scratch test. The main trunk reveals a tannish color, and on one of the branches it's green. Not sure how to interpret that.

The soil looks like it might not be coarse enough, but I'm afraid to repot it because it's Winter right now. Should I wait until Spring and risk root rot or repot now and risk the consequences of repotting during Winter?

Also, the pot seems pretty deep and narrow compared to others I've seen on the internet. The tree is about 5" high, 12" long from side to side, and 3" wide from front to back. The pot is a plastic nursery style pot with a few holes on the bottom and is 4" high and 4.5" in diameter.

I'll try to post some pictures soon.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-john

[vegansloth]

Here are some pictures:

Trunk scratch test:
[url=https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/IMG_1441.jpg][img]https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/th_IMG_1441.jpg[/img][/url]
Overall view of backside:
[url=https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/IMG_1438.jpg][img]https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/th_IMG_1438.jpg[/img][/url]
Close up of brown underneath:
[url=https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/IMG_1434.jpg][img]https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/th_IMG_1434.jpg[/img][/url]
Scratch test on branch (it doesn't look as green in the picture):
[url=https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/IMG_1427.jpg][img]https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/th_IMG_1427.jpg[/img][/url]
Trunk and soil:
[url=https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/IMG_1422.jpg][img]https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/th_IMG_1422.jpg[/img][/url]
Overall view of front, next to a wine bottle for size reference:
[url=https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/IMG_1416.jpg][img]https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d200/vegansloth/th_IMG_1416.jpg[/img][/url]

[Gnome]

Vegansloth,

Sounds like you have a pretty fair grasp of the issues that you face. Glad you did some research first.

Should I wait until Spring and risk root rot or re-pot now and risk the consequences of re-potting during Winter?

Ah, that is the crux of the question isn't it? Unfortunately I do not have the experience to give you a definitive answer.

Before you can even consider re-potting it you will have to have an appropriate soiless mix on hand. Do you have a source of ready made soil or know of a source for the proper components?

The link that I usually provide mentions a procedure for attempting to rescue an ailing Juniper but I have not found it necessary to try this as mine is in good health. For what it is worth here it is. [url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Juniperus.html[/url]

Good luck with your tree.

Norm

[vegansloth]

Thanks for the reply Norm.

It seems that I should re-pot immediately, according to the link you provided. I'm not sure of a free-draining soil source in my area, but I'll look into it. I bet I'll be able to find one.

Any thoughts on the pot size or scratch marks, or any other advice?

[Gnome]

Vegansloth, you are welcome.

I did not see the pics last night as I was typing my first reply as you were posting them. Overall the tree does not look that bad. Since your scratch test is not definitive I would think long and hard before you re-pot now. Keep a close eye on it, hopefully it will stabilize and you can re-pot in the spring.

The link above suggests using (sphagnum, I assume) peat moss as a medium. I can't really speak to this as I have never done it. I would feel more comfortable just using my usual mix but the author of that site is a well known artist so.....

As far as pot size, if you are suggesting that you should choose a larger pot I don't think I agree. A larger pot holds more water for a longer period of time. Exactly what you don't want, especially considering your root issues (an assumption on my part). By way of example: most experienced artists who collect trees from nature use the smallest pot possible for the first several years until the tree can regain some root mass. This helps to prevent the constantly wet conditions that probably led to the situation that you now face.

Norm

[vegansloth]

It's a relief to know that my tree isn't as bad as I thought. I'd still like to know why it's brown in some places.

The soil is still pretty damp, and I haven't watered it for a few days. Is there a good way for me to check for root rot? I'm not very experienced with horticulture and most of the articles I've found aren't descriptive enough for me to understand.

As for pot size, I was actually thinking that my pot might be too deep. I would definitely not want to go bigger; I was curious if a more shallow pot, like most of the ones I see in pictures, would be preferable.

[Gnome]

Vegansloth,

I'd still like to know why it's brown in some places.

The soil is still pretty damp, and I haven't watered it for a few days.

These two issues probably go hand in hand. Damaged roots due to excessively damp soil if I had to guess. Resist the urge to water it because you think it "must need it by now", let the plant dictate its schedule.

Is there a good way for me to check for root rot? I'm not very experienced with horticulture and most of the articles I've found aren't descriptive enough for me to understand.

Unpot the plant and check the condition of the roots. Are they mushy, does the sheath/skin (sorry, I don't know the correct term) slip from the roots, are there any unusual smells, besides what you would expect soil to smell like?

As for pot size, I was actually thinking that my pot might be too deep. I would definitely not want to go bigger; I was curious if a more shallow pot, like most of the ones I see in pictures, would be preferable.

Bonsai pots are used for aesthetic reasons, trees in development are not generally put into decorative pots. Shallow pots, without the benefit of gravity, actually drain slower than taller pots. That is one reason why a free draining mix is imperative. But yes I tend to use pots that are wider than they are tall.

As I've said here and elsewhere on this forum I don't have a lot of experience with Junipers. In fact this is my first year and as I purchased it in early summer I have not re-potted it yet. I will be doing so next spring. I was very careful about watering and kept it in full sun. So far it has been pretty easy to manage.

Norm

[vegansloth]

Norm,

Cool, good luck with that.

It looks like I'll probably just keep her as is and just be very watchful. I'll try to update the progress as I go along. I hope it turns into a beautiful and healthy tree.

Thanks again for all your help,

john

[Gnome]

John,

You're welcome and good luck to you as well. If by some chance this tree falters please don't give up. I can't tell you how many trees that I have killed. John Naka once wrote that "dead trees are the tuition that one pays when learning bonsai"

Norm