Have you been keeping it indoors? Did you buy it at a
mall or fair?

Ben

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Unfortunately you have been a victom of mall-sai....
Its not your fault that your tree is dead. The man or
woman who sold it to you should have told you it was
an outdoor tree. It is common practice that they
don't usually tell you when at a mall or fair. In
fact 90 percent of them are half dead when you buy
them and have been kept indoors for a long time. Most
bonsai need to be watered at least once a day this
time of year when outdoors not every 3 days like you
were told, unless the soil is very boggy. Does the
soil look like little rocks or like usual garden soil.
Bonsai soil should look more or less like little clay
rocks. The little bugs are probably spider mites.
Most insecticides will kill them. However if there
are many of them then they will have already done
considerable damage to your plant. But given the fact
that it is an outdoor tree and was kept indoors, was
bought from a mall, and has tiny bugs all over it.
Its probably not going to recover. The fact that you
haven't fertilized it would not kill it that quick you
could probably not fertilize for a full year and the
tree would live, it wouldn't be happy but it would
live. I would go back to the mall you bought it at
and demand you get your money back. Junipers must be
kept outdoors year round. You can bring them in for
one day at a time to display them but they must be put
back outdoors immediately afterwards. They need to
feel winter outside also. They need the circulation
and light that only outdoor conditions can provide.
Where do you live? Maybe we can direct you to a real
bonsai nursery somewhere in your area. The people who
sell them at the mall are not worth buying from.
Don't give up on bonsai its not your fault this tree
is dead or dying.

Ben


--- Thomas Crymes wrote:
I do keep it in doors, and I did buy it at a mall.
It did seem to be healthy when I bought it althought
I did notice some very small bugs on it.

I know you can't see it, but given my info, is there
anything that can be done to save this plant?

Ben Griffin wrote:
Have you been keeping it indoors? Did you buy it at
a
mall or fair?

Ben

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
http://sbc.yahoo.com

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Tom: First, we spell it bonsai rather than bonzai.
Now, I've got good news and bad news for you. The good news is that you did
not kill it by failing to fertilize. The bad news is that any crispy juniper is a
dead juniper. By the time it gets to that stage, it has been deceased for a while.
Any evergreen will stay green for a few weeks even after cutting off all the roots,
but it is still just as dead as your Christmas tree.
No need to feel ashamed and stupid. We've all killed a tree or two.
They're really easy to keep alive, but they're also easy to kill. C`est la vie. If
you need somebody to blame, I'd look to your vendor who gave you flawed
instructions. Watering by submersion, for example, is not a good practice. You can
do it once in a while with no problem, but watering that way routinely will result
in compacted soil with poor aeration for your roots. You should let the soil get
dry, but not bone dry, in between waterings. Then water from above, as nature
usually does with rain. Use a watering can or sprinkler attachment which makes fine
droplets, so you don't erode the soil.
Also, avoid watering on a schedule. Instead, try to water when the tree
needs more water. You can tell that by sticking your finger (or a stick) in the
soil a couple of inches. If it comes up dry, you need to water. If it comes out
with moist soil clinging to it, it does not need watering at that time.
The instructions at least said to put the tree in "mild sunshine", but it
should clarify that this means outdoors, not on a bright windowsill.
I recommend that you try again. This time, crate your own bonsai with a
juniper or other tree which you get from a local nursery. Check to see if there is
a nearby bonsai club, because these things are best taught in person. You can look
for clubs at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/clubs~1.htm or
http://www.absbonsai.org/clubs.html .
In addition, try out the course available at our IBC website. You can find
out step-by-step how to create a juniper bonsai from Herb Gustafson's on-line bonsai
course at: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/cl...niclass01.html
Good luck. Show us the results at:
http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ag...rnetbonsaiclub
Cordially,
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA
http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com
===================================
CrymeLord wrote:
My wife and I bought a nice juniper a few months ago. We were told to
water it three times a week (which according to the instructions we
had, meant submersing the plant up to the base of the trunk pot and
all for about 5 minutes.), and giving it moderate sunlight.

We tried to do this as much as possible. A few weeks ago, we noticed
that at the base of some of the branches the leaves were turning light
brown (not good). We figured we weren't giving it enough light, and we
tried to correct.

Now, the tree is kind of sickly looking. While still green, it is
brittle. Reading some more of the literature that came with the plant,
I found out that we should have been fertilizing it every other week.
We haven't done that at all.

I feel stupid and ashamed. Does my tree sound dead to anyone out
there?

If there is still a chance to save it, what can I do? If I need
fertilizer, is there a specific kind that I need.

Any information would be appreciated and helpful. The tree is/was
about 17 years old and I'd love to find a way to revive it.
Please respond to this message, and/or to my personal e-mail address:

Thanks a bunch,
Tom

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

My wife and I bought a nice juniper a few months ago. We were
told to
water it three times a week (which according to the
instructions we
had, meant submersing the plant up to the base of the trunk pot
and
all for about 5 minutes.), and giving it moderate sunlight.

We tried to do this as much as possible. A few weeks ago, we
noticed
that at the base of some of the branches the leaves were
turning light
brown (not good). We figured we weren't giving it enough light,
and we
tried to correct.

Now, the tree is kind of sickly looking. While still green, it
is
brittle. Reading some more of the literature that came with the
plant,
I found out that we should have been fertilizing it every other
week.
We haven't done that at all.


I hate to answer these messages.

Now that you have been warned, I'm afraid that your tree is dead.
There is a SLIGHT chance that it is not, though, so . . .

1. Do not water again until the soil feels dry. You can keep a
stick ( a broken-off chopstick is fine) jammed into the soil.
Pull it out every morning. If it feels damp, do NOT water that
day. If it feels dry, water. It is best to water from the top
until water runs out of the drainage hole. Let it drain, then
repeat. Then don't water until the stick again feels dry.

2. Be certain the tree is kept outside. Half-day sun (morning
sun is best).

3. It was NOT lack of fertilizer that killed your tree, but a
modest does of fertilizer won't hurt. Use any houseplant
fertilizer, and follow directions. Add the fertilizer on one of
your watering days.

If it keeps on turning brown, there's no hope. Please try again,
and remember, juniper are not indoor trees. If you want an indoor
tree, get a Ficus.

Good luck.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The phrase
'sustainable growth' is an oxymoron. - Stephen Viederman

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++