New to Bonsai-first Juniper.
Hey guys I'm completely new to bonsai. I just recieved my first Juniper shimpaku in the mail today and he is awesome. I have to house him in something as my bonsai pot has not arrived yet. He is a very young plant only 6" tall from the plug and I don't know what I should do with him. Any advice on what I should do with him would be appreciated.
Generally its best to not put a tree into a "bonsai pot" until it has reached the trunk girth that you want. A shallow bonsai pot will slow growth down a lot. I second the notion of a nursery pot, and to stay there for a while, something big.Justin088 wrote:I have to house him in something as my bonsai pot has not arrived yet. He is a very young plant only 6" tall from the plug and I don't know what I should do with him. Any advice on what I should do with him would be appreciated.
Free draining soil may contain akadoma, calcined clay, lava rock, ect.
If that is available for you.
Any local nurseries near you that may be able to give you advice?
Sun issue. Florida is getting as hot as you, just make sure to keep them from not being over-watered or under-watered in your climate.
If that is available for you.
Any local nurseries near you that may be able to give you advice?
Sun issue. Florida is getting as hot as you, just make sure to keep them from not being over-watered or under-watered in your climate.
- manofthetrees
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Hey Justin,
Noticed that you started this thread on the INDOOR BONSAI forum and just wanted to emphasize that shimpaku (and all junipers) belong outdoors. You mentioned that it will be going out soon. That's good.
Find a place that provides some morning sun but shade in the heat of the afternoon. I spent a lot of years in Texas and know how it gets.
You're getting good tips on temporary care of your new little juniper. Good luck with it. Take good care - keep in touch.
Don't baby it to death. Don't overwater!!
Tom
Noticed that you started this thread on the INDOOR BONSAI forum and just wanted to emphasize that shimpaku (and all junipers) belong outdoors. You mentioned that it will be going out soon. That's good.
Find a place that provides some morning sun but shade in the heat of the afternoon. I spent a lot of years in Texas and know how it gets.
You're getting good tips on temporary care of your new little juniper. Good luck with it. Take good care - keep in touch.
Don't baby it to death. Don't overwater!!
Tom
Ok guys I found a small plastic container with a plastic tray that I put underneath the container. I poked a couple good size holes in the container for drainage. Now about the watering, should I submerge the plant up to its trunk and get the soil nice and wet? Any advice on watering my new plant would be great. That seems to be the hardest part.
Oh ok well I went ahead and submerged the plant in water so the soil got really wet.(I don't think it was the right thing to do but I read several articles on this technique. Any body heard of this technique? I will wait for the soil to dry out a bit before I water again. Thanks for all the replies!
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Whooa, SLOW DOWN!!
You've had this little juniper for 1 day. It was only 6 inches high. It should have - number 1, been allowed to adjust to its new home, and number 2, been allowed to grow out for a couple years, then pruned to shape, styled.
Learn about your tree, learn enough to keep it alive. Learn to grow it. Then work with it.
Instant bonsai might be fun - but not gratifying. Patience, patience.
You've had this little juniper for 1 day. It was only 6 inches high. It should have - number 1, been allowed to adjust to its new home, and number 2, been allowed to grow out for a couple years, then pruned to shape, styled.
Learn about your tree, learn enough to keep it alive. Learn to grow it. Then work with it.
Instant bonsai might be fun - but not gratifying. Patience, patience.