Vcaudill08
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:39 pm
Location: Portland or

Our bonsai has mold!

We recently purchased a juniper bonsai and he appeared to be doing great until we noticed he has gray mold on his trunk. What are we doing wrong?? Image

User avatar
rainbowgardener
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 25279
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

Hard to say without knowing more about what you are doing. But I would start by getting the rocks off the surface. It is hard for the soil to dry out with the rocks there and hard for you to know whether it is dry or not. The little bit of soil showing looks like it might be dark/dense stuff like potting soil. If so, it will need to be repotted in to bonsai soil.

Tell us how/ how often/ how much you are watering. Is your tree outdoors or indoors (if indoors, buzzer sounds... wrong answer!). How much sun is it getting? The more you can tell us about what the conditions are, how you have been caring for it, what has been happening, the more likely some of the bonsai experts around here (not me!), will be able to give you some good help.

tomc
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 2661
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:52 am
Location: SE-OH USA Zone 6-A

If the "mold" that concerns you is green, that is moss. its a minor nusance but it and rocks mat well be keeping your tree too wet.

A toothbrush will clear out the moss.

Read up on using a chop stick to check for moisture.

Vcaudill08
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:39 pm
Location: Portland or

We water every other day and keep it out doors during the day and indoors at night.

User avatar
Gnome
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5122
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

Vcaudill08,

Never water on a schedule, particularly when dealing with this type of soil. This thread contains information on watering and using the chopstick method to determine when to water.

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/vi ... =36&t=1479

As RBG mentioned, the (glued on?) topdressing is not doing you any favors. Neither is moving it about as you are. Junipers are very hardy and if it is OK outside during the day it will be OK at night as well.

Please update your profile with your general location.

Norm

User avatar
rainbowgardener
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 25279
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

In the picture, it is grey and is not moss. Trunk at the base looks in bad shape.



Return to “BONSAI FORUM”