Hi Kirby, welcome to the IBC.

Don't worry now about fertilizer, concern yourself with keeping it alive (providing it is now). Junipers are OUTSIDE plants. You must remove the rocks. Carl wrote an excellent essay on this just the other day on advise given to one of his students. Bac
kfill your pot with just about anything you have on hand for now. Water from the top, and look for Carl's post from just a couple days ago.

Others will jump in I'm sure.
Regards,
Shelly Hurd Central CA - Sunset Zone 8-USDA Zone 9

----- Original Message -----
From: Kirby Jo
To:
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 11:27 AM
Subject: [IBC] amature needs advise


I recently received a bonsai as a gift (I believe that it is some sort of
juniper). I have done a little research online...but still have a few
questions:

what type of fertilizer should be used for this particular plant? is it true
that you shouldn't fertilize in the winter? I live in Houston and we have
mild winters, will my plant be ok at night when the temperature drops? is it
recommended that it be taken inside during rain or with colder weather? the
bonsai came with rocks glued on top of the soil...to "prevent erosion"
should this be kept?

I am planning to attend the Houston Bonsai Society's monthly study group to
learn more about bonsai....but any advise I can get will be much
appreciated.

Thanks

Kirby Johnson

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