I got a small bonsai and would like to continue training it. What do you all suggest? I have noticed other forums have a "sticky" note on top with useful information pertaining to that particular forum. How does one make a "sticky" like that? I am sure there is a lot of useful information on this forum that would benefit newbies like myself.
I got a small bonsai as a gift - now what do I do?
If you're just beginning, you probably should consider looking for information on the plant's cultural preferences. I know this sounds simplistic, but if you're new to bonsai, you'll need/want to be able to keep your plants alive to maximize satisfaction & minimize frustration. I remember this lesson vividly from my very own failures in the beginning. You'll probably get some help and suggestions here, if you let us know what kind of plant it is - this is very important, because the term 'bonsai' is too general for us to be of much aid to you - no matter how much we want to be. ;o)
Al
This message was edited Oct 31, 2007 6:48 PM
Al, thank you for responding to my question! It was given to my boss a week or so ago from one of the companies we work with and he gave it to me. It is a very small tree in a pot that is maybe four inches square and a couple of inches deep. I think the tag said chinese juniper (I am at home right now, the tree is at work). It is a very pretty little tree with a cascading form. It looks very healthy and sturdy and I would like to be able to maintain and continue to train it.
Likely, it's a Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', aka 'dwarf Japanese garden juniper'. Confirm the ID, and I'll help you with care, dos and don'ts. If I'm accurate, I might as well prepare you for the reality that your tree will want to spend the winter outdoors or in another cold place we choose if it is to survive. It's not a tree that you'll be able to coddle or overwinter indoors with success.
Al
I am at work and the only information the tag gives is bonsai tree/japanese juniper
It also says to water daily, moderate to high light and fertilize march through september.
I am not going to water daily, that would drown the plant. But what else should I be doing? If it needs to have a dormant period where should I put it? Around here the winters are extremely cold at times and I am concerned about it freezing solid if left outdoors.
Ok - so you can be 99% sure it's the plant I named as likely. Regardless, junipers will want basically the same care. Your tree will almost insist on being outdoors - including now. Lack of light, dry air, and being deprived of a cold rest will be more than your little tree will tolerate indoors. If you move your tree outdoors now - be sure to acclimate to full sun gradually over about a week to 10 days to prevent sunburning foliage.
Water only when nearly dry, not on a schedule. To give an example of how dry junipers will tolerate the soil: I usually leave a single volunteer weed or plant of some sort in the container of junipers I'm growing on. When the weed shows signs of wilting, it's time to water the juniper.
I have about 15 small J. procumbens as little bonsai I'll sell or give to friends/people that show interest in our club. These trees are still on the grow benches here in MI, and will stay there until temps start to drop below 20* at night. At that time, I'll move them to a table in an unheated garage where they will winter, mostly in the dark, and unattended except for a scoop of snow on top of them occasionally to keep the soil from drying completely. When spring arrives & temps look like they're above 20* to stay, they go back out into the shade for a week & then to full sun.
You shouldn't need to fertilize them any more in this growth cycle, if you take my advice & put them outdoors. 24-8-16 or 12-4-8 all purpose fertilizer is a very good choice once you start feeding again.
The best way to overwinter your plant is to bury the entire container in the soil on the north side of a building out of sun and wind & forget it until spring. As long as it gets a little rain or snow on it from time to time, it will be fine. Mother nature is a much better babysitter than we. ;o)
Good luck, TT.
Al
Thank you so much for all of your great advice! I can start that now since it is still pretty far above the 20 degree temp that you mentioned.
TT; how is your precious bonsai turning out so far?
Hi tapla... the pics are wonderful and your knowledge on bonsai is awesome. I tried on and off over the years to have bonsai but they always die. Maybe this time my bonsai will survive as folks start educating me on this special way of gardening.
Could you identify the little beauty someone is holding in the palm of their hand? It looks like it is potted in an acorn shell, but could even a bonsai be that small?
The little guy is going strong. Right now it is sitting in a sunny spot in the garden. I have a "holding bed" in one corner (for all of the wonderful things I have not had time to plant as yet---- I am sure that I am probably the only one to do this LOL) that he will be nestled into when the weather gets really bad. I think the bigger plants around it will lend the little one some protection from the bad ice, snow and wind we sometimes get in the winter.
Sounds like a plan, TT. ;o)
PB - That is a little portulacaria from a cutting, growing in a white oak acorn cap.
Good luck with your studies.
Al
Al,
You're source of inspiration and idmiration, as well as encouragement for us newbies. Please help guide us along the way.
Kim
I also have an Azaleas in a little pot. Our temp. seldomly gets down to the teens. I was wondering if I should burry the ceremic pot under the ground to protect the roots? Then in spring I just dig the whole thing up? Or will mulching around the pot be adequate? Please advise.
Kim
Al, just read your excellent help in caring for bonsai japanese juniper--just got a 3 year old one from my daughter for christmas--i am sorry that i must put it outside since i want to enjoy it now but am so glad you explained how important it is to go outdoors for the winter--since our winters are mild--some freezes but not that many--can i forgo burying the pot? also you mention it needing full sun (acclimate gradually) and then mention that for winter to put it out of the sun--so keep in shade for the winter? then move to sun for summer? also--with our very hot, very long summer would it be best to move it indoors then?
Yes - your care would be a little different than TTs. I would put it outdoors in shade for a week or so & then move to full sun until it starts to REALLY get hot. Then I would again shade it for the hottest part of the day. It won't appreciate the air conditioning if you bring it indoors in summer, and there's no need for you to bury the pot there unless you think the temps will drop much below about 15*. Keeping it out of sun and wind was a good strategy for TT to use to keep the top from drying out when the soil was frozen, but it sounds like that'll prolly be unnecessary in your case, hmm? ;o)
Merry Christmas - I hope you enjoy the new addition to the family. ;o)
Al
thanks for the instructions--i am looking forward to my newest interest--merry christmas to you too!
Al! After reading your post about the juniper bonsai I am 1) thrilled that I've found someone so knowledgeable, and 2) horrified that I'm basically killing my little tree! I got mine at an art show this summer. He was so happy outside (I live in SE MI), then I brought him in for the winter. He was hit by spider mites, which I think we successfully dealt with, but now now he is clearly in distress. He's turning brown and brittle, starting with the branches near the trunk and moving out along the beautiful main swooping branch.
Is it too late to put him outside or in the garage? Can anything save him?
Barb
My guess is probably not. Usually, by the time a juniper branch looks a little brown or yellow - it's long been gone. You prolly already know what you should have done, so I'll save the lecture. ;o) You can't just take it out and bury the pot in the garden, but that's where it would like to be. The problem with that is, the sudden chill could kill it, even though the plant is perfectly equipped to withstand sub 0* temps if properly prepared. I would move it into an unheated, attached garage near a window and hope. Water only when you think the soil has become quite dry, by tossing a little snow on the soil & letting it soak in as it melts (every 3-4 weeks I'd guess - that's how often I water mine). If it's alive when spring comes, bury the pot in the ground & give the plant a few months of recovery time. You can repot it next spring if it makes it.
Good luck, Cotton. If you get up the I-75 corridor, Bay City way, look me up - I'll give you another that's prolly already had some work done on it (not kidding). ;o)
my little bonsai juniper lives outside in its pot but i pull it inside when i fear freezing temps at night--sounds like i can leave it out from what you say about the snow--thanks for that information
Thanks, tapla. I guess I should have left him outside, but since I know nothing about bonsai I brought him in thinking I was protecting him. Unfortunately, I don't have a window in my garage so the best I could do would be the basement (which is not terribly cold at >50 degrees) or the garage with a light on it. I'll start with the basement (there is a window there) and see how it goes.
We actually go up I75 to the UP several times during the summer -- I'll definitely let you know :)
barb