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Discover the Juniper Bonsai
Believe it or not, you will join the club of bonsai Juniper tree lovers. Often found in the northern part of the world, this incredible bonsai has a formal look and stands straight. Its ability to adapt to different environments makes Juniper bonsai very popular among other bonsai. With its vibrant green leaves and scarlet red bark, Juniper bonsai can live for long. Yet, how to care for the bonsai properly and get the best out of it, stay with us and follow this Juniper bonsai care guide.
Name | Juniper bonsai |
Botanical name | Juniperus |
Family | Cupressaceae |
Native to | Asia, Europe, and North America |
Type | Tree, shrub |
Care type | Outdoor |
Disease and pests | Spider mite, fungal rust |
Light | Not fully direct sunlight |
How to Care for Juniper Bonsai?
Every plant has a unique beauty in itself. These miniature wonders can turn into an inseparable, life-long attribute in one’s life or simply wither or be damaged because of bad care. That is why I strongly recommend learning some basics about bonsai care as well as the specific demands of each plant. Stay up with me to explore the tips and follow the Juniper bonsai care guide presented below.
To provide proper care for the bonsai juniper, one is required to focus on the following factors: light, soil, water, temperature and humidity, fertilizer, pruning, repotting, propagation, pests, and disease.
Let’s move step by step to get the best bonsai for us.
🌞Light
⛰️Soil
Grit
Turface
Akadama
Pine bark (conifer bark)
Perlite
Lava rock
Pumice
Charcoal
All these components can make a perfect blend. It depends on one’s experience. If anyone happens not to be well-experienced, I suggest the following blends:
Blend 1
Akadama + Rumice + Lava rock
1:1:1 ratio
Blend 2
Akadama + Organic potting compost + Pumice + Fine gravel or grit.
Blend 3
Perlite + Pine + Charcoal + Peat
2:1:1:1 ratio
💦Water and Humidity
The third is water. Here, I will talk about the integral factors to consider, techniques to follow, and watering season details.
Let me start with the first one. The factors go hand in hand with the soil due to several key points. Before going any further, some things should be discussed or at least considered.
The longevity of the soil mix water retention
The weather conditions in which the plant grows
The health of the root system of the plant
The draining quality of the pot.
As a word to spread, I am obliged to mention that there is no exact schedule for the quantity or timeline of watering the bonsai. So, being attentive and keeping a watchful eye on the plant is necessary. Nevertheless, Juniper bonsai is a drought-tolerant plant, however, overwatering or keeping it bone dry isn’t recommended. Keep it damp, but not dry.
❗️ATTENTION: Never use water that has been treated with a water softener.
Do your best to strike the right balance when watering. Place it in a pan with 1 to 2 inches of water and soak until it looks moist. Also, pay attention to the oxygen in the root system. Its excess can be damaging. Another key thing is well-draining soil and a high-quality pot for adequate drainage.
To sum up, the golden rule is the following: allow the soil to dry a little between waterings, then water deeply.
Now, let me refer to the techniques. I will give you a couple of techniques to follow when watering:
- 🔋Use a moisture meter: it will help you monitor the wetness of your bonsai.
- 🥢Do the chopstick technique: Substitute a wooden chopstick if there is no moisture meter. Put it in the pot. By lifting it, check the moisture of the soil to know when the plant needs water.
- 🤏 Weigh the bonsai by hand: If it is wet, it should feel heavier than when it’s dry, so it will again help you determine whether the tree needs watering.
- 🟤Assess the color of the soil: it’s very simple, if the soil is wet, it will appear a deep chocolate brown, if it’s lighter, then it’s dry.
Finally, let me focus on the watering seasons, as in the case of Juniper bonsai, there is a slight difference in watering throughout the year. So, this Juniper bonsai care guide takes charge of each detail.
Generally, in spring, the plant should be checked twice a day because the temperature increases. Consequently, the soil can dry faster. In summer, the plant should be watered twice a day because of the heat (escape watering at midday so as not to burn the leaf.) Note: If the plant is newly repotted, always put a humidity tray under it on hot days. In autumn, try to make your soil a little dry and water as needed. In winter, at this time of the year, Juniper bonsai needs less water, at least twice a week, just to keep it humid. Be careful not to water your plant below 0 °C.
🪄Trick: After watering it, you can cover the pot with a plastic bag right away if you won’t be able to water it for a few days. For a minimum of a week, the bag functions as a greenhouse and retains moisture in the soil.
🌡️Temperature
Temperature is the next step. Commonly, bonsai juniper trees cannot live indoors. It is a bit of an exaggeration, I guess. The thing is, it requires a lot of bright light, at least four hours of sunlight a day, with a little afternoon shade. Therefore, whether it is kept indoors or outdoors doesn’t matter, as long as there is adequate light.
What is more important: Juniper bonsai should be protected once temperatures drop below 15 °F (-10 °C). Though the plant can withstand the frost, moderate protection is reasonable during the harsh winter to not overwinter the bonsai.
Nevertheless, junipers are hardy tree species. It only requires a little winter protection.
The following can be done to protect its roots from freezing:
However, keep in mind to move the tree back when the temperature gets warmer.
❗️Note: When kept outdoors in winter, some juniper species undergo an internal protection mechanism that turns dark green foliage purple-brown. Not dismay! Once the temperature gets warm, the foliage color turns back.
🌱Placement
It may be hard to believe, but all bonsai are trees. Thus, the vast majority of them are outdoors. Yet, there are some species that can be indoors or both indoors and outdoors. In general, Juniper bonsai trees should be grown outdoors year-round, and it is rather difficult for them to tolerate growing indoors long-term as they must experience seasonal changes to thrive. Still, don’t know exactly where to place your juniper bonsai? I am here to help you with the following points:
- If one resides in the East, it is better to keep the plant outside in the morning sun and afternoon shade.
- If one resides in the West, it is better to keep the plant outside in the morning shade and afternoon sun.
- If one resides in the South, it is better to keep the plant outside in the sunny mornings and afternoons.
- If one resides in the North, it is better to keep the plant outside in the shaded mornings and afternoons.
- If one resides in the Northeast, it is better to keep the plant outside in the little morning sun and afternoon shade.
- If one resides in the Northwest, it is better to keep the plant outside in the morning shade and little afternoon sun.
- If one resides in the Southeast, it is better to keep the plant outside in the morning sun and little afternoon shade.
- If one resides in the Southwest, it is better to keep the plant outside in the little morning shade and afternoon sun
While considering where to place the plant, there is another crucial thing to focus on: the ability of the juniper to resist pests.
I do hope this piece of information will be helpful to you. Stick around with the Juniper Bonsai Care Guide to learn more about bonsai care. Remember, do not allow the foliage pads to get too dense, as it becomes a perfect environment for the pests to settle down easily. Check for pests year-round, even in the winter. Sometimes Junipers are prone to getting infested with spider mites, juniper scale, juniper aphids, juniper needle miners, and juniper webworms.
An investigation to find out why the plant is prone to infestation can help get rid of the pests.
❗️Note: Do not damage the leaves with high heat; it is good to keep them in the afternoon shade.
🧪Fertilizer
Sequentially, the fertilizer comes. Early spring to mid-summer-in other words, the growing season is the only period for the junipers to be fertilized, as it absorbs more nutrients just during this period. Generally, it is very widely spread two types of fertilizers:
1. Liquid-type
2. Slow-release pellets.
The first is used for foliar feeding, whereas the second helps avoid root burning. The Juniper bonsai requires regular feeding in the growing season. In addition, it highly depends on the primary needs of the plant.
That is why, once a month, putting slow-release pellets on the soil surface is widely welcomed this season. Then, based on the growth stages, apply liquid fertilizer twice or once per month.
❗️Note: To prevent leaf burn, avoid applying liquid fertilizer in hot, sunny weather.
Meanwhile, feeding the bonsai can be for several purposes: health enhancement, general development, and refinement. Now, I will go into more detail.
If the purpose is to enhance the plant’s health, put slow-release pellets on the soil surface once a month in the growing season, and once every two months in the colder months. The estimation is the following: for every 2 square inches of the soil surface place one pellet unless all parts of the root system are well-nurtured. Remember, to do foliar feeding twice a month.
❗️Note: To enhance stronger and faster growth, use higher nitrogen fertilizers.
If the purpose is general development, try to avoid overly vigorous growth by reducing foliar feeding. To put it otherwise, apply liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Then, replace slow-release pellets every 4 to 5 weeks. Apply pellets at the beginning of each month on a regular basis, then start foliar feeding mid-month to make sure the plant is well-nurtured.
Finally, if the purpose is refinement, remember that mature species don’t need much foliar feeding. So. apply fertilizer only once or twice during the growing season. When it comes to slow-release pellets, the application of them should remain the same.
To sum up, follow the following requirements:
- Juniper bonsai trees do not need to be fertilized during the winter—but don’t forget to water them!
- Using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer at the start of the growing season can help your tree get.
❗️Attention: Don’t fertilize a juniper bonsai for at least a month after it has been repotted.
✂️Pruning
The next important factor is pruning. It has both aesthetic and development purposes. Remember, the right time to prune the bonsai is in the early spring and the summer when there is an active growing period. Another key thing is that Junipers are highly pruning-tolerant, but after the pruning, they can’t bud again from any bare tree part. Thus, always leave some foliage on the branches.
In the case of Juniper bonsai, pinching back growth is more recommended than cutting it back, as the latter can cause the needles to die. Thus, pinch back new sprouts when they reach approximately an inch in length to keep the tree small. To thin out the foliage, remove the needles completely rather than pruning the tree’s entire canopy, which would involve clipping the tips of the needles like a haircut.
Overall, pruning bonsai trees is necessary to keep the ratio of canopy to root in check. The tree would get too big for the restricted root structure to support if the branches weren’t pruned. Inducing branching through pruning results in a denser plant.
But how to prune? Again, I’m here to help you with my Juniper Bonsai Care Guide. Just stick to it. Therefore, when they grow, nip off the ends of new growth around every six weeks. The goal of pinching and pruning a bonsai is to keep it in its original shape and make the plant bushier.
When it comes to root pruning, then keep in mind, every other March to May, the bonsai needs its roots pruned. The main process is the following:
- first, before removing the plant from the pot, make sure the soil has been carefully removed from the bottom and sides of the root ball,
- second, cut out one-third of the roots, starting at the bottom and going all the way around,
- third, replant the bonsai in the pot with fresh, porous soil (a houseplant soil mix works well),
- forth, Simply remember, after potting, mist the plant and water thoroughly per watering instructions (above) so that the entire root ball is moist.
❗️Note: Avoid trimming the juniper like a hedge, as it will cause the tree to die back and the needles to turn brown.
🪴Repotting
Generally, the timeline for repotting is the following: Every two years, repot the Juniper bonsai tree using a simple soil mixture or one that drains a little bit more. Repotting very ancient trees at longer intervals is possible. Every two years after they reach the age of five, juniper bonsai trees should be replanted. (Note: Severe root cutting is not necessary for these trees.) You can wait to repot the tree as it ages and begins to grow more slowly.
Use a chopstick or root rake to remove as much of the old soil as possible while repotting juniper bonsai. Except for the savin juniper, which is a strong species, juniper bonsai trees shouldn’t be washed free of soil.
Begin at the bottom and work your way around the edges.
To assess if your tree requires repotting, you should also take the rate at which the soil breaks down into smaller pieces.
❗️Note: Look for a container made of natural materials, such as terracotta or clay, for your juniper bonsai. These materials can assist in draining away excess moisture from the soil.
🍃Wiring
Another important factor to focus on is the wiring and bending. You can wire pretty much at any time of the year, however, trying to minimize excessive wire bite, I would try to wire in between seasons of high growth, like spring. Simply make sure the wires aren’t piercing the branches too deeply by checking them at least once a month. The wire bit may not harm your tree, but it may create noticeable wounds on the branches that require some time to heal. The last thing you want is for bonsai trees to look “unnatural” due to these scars.
There are three types of wiring:
A. Wiring juvenile or brittle branches
Although wiring junipers is possible, you must use extreme caution when wiring young, brittle branches to prevent breakage.
Wrap raffia strings or tape around the branches you wish to bend for additional stability.
B. Wiring the foliage pads
One of the most frequent causes of interior foliage dying is a lack of light and air. Wire the leaf pads and spread the tiny branches in a hand-shaped pattern to stop that. By doing this, the bonsai’s interior can receive light and air maintaining the overall health of the tree.
C. Wiring along the deadwood
Because juniper deadwood is very brittle, it should be lightly wired to prevent splitting. If a large, ancient branch is beyond your ability to bend, you can separate the deadwood to increase the flexibility of the living portion of the branch for style. Another way to learn how to bend branches on a large juniper tree is to watch this video.
After wiring, monitor the tree for a few months to make sure the wire isn’t becoming too deeply ingrained. The health of the tree won’t suffer if your cable does get extremely embedded, but it will become noticeable. However, it will heal really rapidly, so try not to worry too much.
🍀Propagation
Well, now we will speak about the next step – propagation. Late spring and summer are the ideal times to use propagation techniques. Growing a collection of plants from cuttings is a typical practice among bonsai aficionados, particularly if they have discovered a varietal that responds well to the shape and grooming required for bonsai. In the case of the juniper plants also it is not too difficult to cultivate. Here are the steps to follow to succeed in it:
To propagate, use cuttings or seeds. Most nurseries have a wide variety of suitable juniper species at varying diameters. There, you can typically get high-quality bonsai raw materials. Garden beds, concrete planters, and cemeteries with excavated graves are good places to find old junipers. If you’re lucky, the owner may let you dig one out for a little fee or give you a new plant. From young plants, pre-Bonsai, and pre-styled juniper trees to high-value Bonsai in different forms and styles, specialized bonsai dealers have it all.
Finally, the last but very crucial factor is pests and diseases. A healthy plant is a guarantee for longevity and a picturesque bonsai. Generally, Junipers are very resistant to diseases and pests when cared for properly. Nevertheless, the plant is not secured from attacks:
- Aphids
- Fungal rust
- Webworms
- Needle cast
- Spider mites
- Needle miners
- Conifer caterpillars
- No dense foliage. Thin them out regularly in spring.
- Don’t overlook tree foliage pads and inner branches in colder months.
- Proper light if the plant is needed to be moved to a protected area.
However, if the bonsai has been infested, there are some sprays to use: traditional pesticide, insecticide, or fungicide. What is more important using the one that addresses the specific problem of the tree.
When it comes to certain diseases, then bonsai are especially susceptible to aphids and spruce spider mites particularly. Juniper plants are not affected by a large number of pests. Typically unable to be seen by the naked eye, it’s important to closely inspect the plant once a month, especially the underside of leaves when one notices browning and dropping of the needles.
At the beginning, remove them by hand or gently wash the leaves with highly diluted soapy water is recommended, then follow with a freshwater rinse.
If it is a heavy infestation, it’s not easy to recognize. Thus, fine webbing on the plant is required. However, smaller populations of mites can go unnoticed if not for damage to the plant.
Another big problem is fungal rust, as Junpiers have different levels of resistance to rust fungus. Some are entirely resistant, specifically the blue-green junipers. Yet, how to detect that the plant is infested by fungal rust?
- it results in swellings that burst into brown galls.
- the galls generate large, orange, gelatin-like tendrils, full of spores that infect the leaves of pear trees or hawthorn/crabapples (in rainy weather in winter).
- brownish proliferations appear on the undersides of the leaves which release spores that infect junipers (in late summer).
❗️Note: The rust fungus infests the junipers permanently and cannot be cured.
To summarize, most of these issues are the result of improper planting or locating it in a spot that is shaded or poorly drained. To control the pest, periodically blast the plant with strong water. Insecticides can be used to kill large infestations, whereas fungicides can protect your plant from various fungi.
Generally, pear trees are typically not fatally impacted by an infestation of one plant; instead, they become re-infected every year and can even be effectively treated with a fungicide. Most often, the obviously infected branches perish, and the fungus might spread to other tree sections. There is no assurance that the fungus won’t recur even after the areas with the swellings and galls have been removed. Though some may disagree, it’s advisable to discard or burn rust-infested juniper right away rather than adding it to your compost pile.
Happy to say that this contentive and well-rounded juniper bonsai care guide is here to help in your journey through the bonsai world.
❗️IMPORTANT: This plant should not be eaten. Keep away from pets and children.
CONCLUSION
This article is comprehensive and profound information on how to enjoy horticulture and take proper care of the juniper bonsai. In the world of miniature beauties, one can not only cultivate a plant but also forge some key features of their personality. Namely, while caring for the plant watering and feeding, a person can revise his/her eating habits and much more. In our blog, you can find far more useful information not only about the Juniper bonsai care following our Juniper bonsai care guide but also labout other types of bonsai as well.
Just stay with us!