There are pics at the bottom
Hey guys! I've always been interested in plants but a bonsai has always interested me the most so last night I bought a Juniper Bonsai and ever since I have been looking up info on bonsai. I've read about every post on this forum up to page 5, googled for different types of bonsai, care, and supplies for atleast 6 hours ! I am posting here because everyone is so friendly and helpful! I think I understand most of the basics and care.
First things first,
I removed all of the glued rocks
I use a spritzer bottle and water it but not too much, just so it is a bit damp so I can keep it cool since it is in the sun.
I keep it on a bench on my deck so that bugs cant crawl up to and it gets full sun during the day and afternoon and then gets a bit shade in the evening.
I think my pal may have some problems though...
I saw tiny little long bugs(possibly spider mites ) When I tried to look closer, they either crawl into the dirt or they jump on my hand, are they supposed to jump far? I havent seen any webs or anything but very small browning leaves or stems (hardly)
Second, I read about pruning stems that grow straight down the mother stem, is that stems that are just growing downwards that I have to pinch off? Also does my bonsai need pruning? I see a lot of new light green buds, if I do , how do I do it? Things I read never fully explained or showed how..plus there were no before and after pics and I don't want to damage my bonsai like pinch it too hard and leave brown tips.
Other than that I think its ok.
I am going to order ingredients to mix my own soil and I will experiment with it all from dallasbonsai.com(I heard it is a good place). Is a mixture of Akadama, Fujiyama Potting Soil, Kanuma, Kiryusuna River Sand, Peat moss, and Pine bark good? I am also going to get the first 2 items on this link. https://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/fertilizers.html#3033
So if anyone has any ways to help me fix my problems, it would be appreciated
I know to get rid of spider mites but are they the cause of the browning? I know that you must use incesticidal soap but does anyone have a good place to buy it?
Thank you!!
AHHH I forgot pics
https://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Jonathansc/Bonsai/
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Khaoshunter,
Hello and welcome to the site. I'm glad to hear that you are doing some research on your own.
Norm
Hello and welcome to the site. I'm glad to hear that you are doing some research on your own.
Misting is OK for the foliage, and may help with the Mites if that is what they are, but it is no substitute for thorough watering when needed. When you water, it should be a complete wetting of the soil not merely partially as you are probably doing.I use a spritzer bottle and water it but not too much, just so it is a bit damp so I can keep it cool since it is in the sun.
These training methods could easily be postponed until next year. The tree will soon begin to prepare for the coming winter so any pruning can wait.Second, I read about pruning stems that grow straight down the mother stem, is that stems that are just growing downwards that I have to pinch off? Also does my bonsai need pruning? I see a lot of new light green buds, if I do , how do I do it? Things I read never fully explained or showed how..plus there were no before and after pics and I don't want to damage my bonsai like pinch it too hard and leave brown tips.
Other than that I think its ok.
I am not familiar with all of those products but I feel safe in saying that I would avoid the peat moss. More importantly, I hope you are not planning on re-potting now. Rather than contemplating re-potting in the fall you should begin to consider your options for winter storage.I am going to order ingredients to mix my own soil and I will experiment with it all from dallasbonsai.com(I heard it is a good place). Is a mixture of Akadama, Fujiyama Potting Soil, Kanuma, Kiryusuna River Sand, Peat moss, and Pine bark good?
Why not check Google and see if you can verify if they are indeed mites. From your description I'm doubtful.I saw tiny little long bugs(possibly spider mites ) When I tried to look closer, they either crawl into the dirt or they jump on my hand, are they supposed to jump far?
Norm
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Hey thank you for the reply
I do water the plant though, I don't just mist it, I mist it a bit after watering too...not too much though.
Thanks for the info on pruning, that makes me feel a bit better knowing that now.
Those products are from the website https://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/potting_medium_index.html and you said they were excelent on another post, and I will make sure I do not add any peat moss, and no I was not going to repot it now, I was going to wait till next spring.
Anyways thank you again for the info and reply! I think that is all of the info I need and I'll just hope it survives for a while since I'm still a noob
I do water the plant though, I don't just mist it, I mist it a bit after watering too...not too much though.
Thanks for the info on pruning, that makes me feel a bit better knowing that now.
Those products are from the website https://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/potting_medium_index.html and you said they were excelent on another post, and I will make sure I do not add any peat moss, and no I was not going to repot it now, I was going to wait till next spring.
Anyways thank you again for the info and reply! I think that is all of the info I need and I'll just hope it survives for a while since I'm still a noob