Blue Star Juniper - Struggling to bounce back

[新しいお父さん]

Hey everyone. I have a blue star juniper from nursery stock that was purchased and repotted the first week June. The plant was kept out of direct sunlight for 3 weeks, and once it went back into the sun, the plant was thriving. July had a lot of growth, then somewhere around mid August, there was some really heavy rain received from the hurricane passing through the east coast.

From what I've learned about the tree, it does not like the soil to be wet for two long. I believe that the heavy rains may have hurt the tree, since it rained for hours. I've seen drooping and yellowing since then, but only on the thickest trunk. There is a thick branch on the right side that I'm encouraging to grow in a semi-cascade, and surprisingly it has continued to thrive and I haven't seen any negative signs at all there. It looks like two different trees. I have seen some improvement in color, since I adjusted the watering schedule, and when it rains I bring it under the deck.

I remain optimistic. What confuses me is how the yellowing is only on the main trunk, and all the lower future-sacrifice branches look great. If you have seen this problem before, please let me know what I can do to help turn it around before winter.

Thanks!
Oto

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

What is the wire for on that trunk? That damaging the roots is possible. It could be 2 trees.
Sorce

 

[新しいお父さん]

The wire on the trunk was placed to anchor the tree when it was repotted. I suppose it is a possibility, the thickest side branch comes from underneath the soil, however, the other two extending branches are attached to the main trunk and still thriving. Which is why I'm optimistic that their health is still salvageable.

 

[leatherback]

How much wind did you get? Is it at all possible that the roots on one side where broken?

 

[BuckeyeOne]

What is your soil mix? It looks as if it may be too wet with all the rain you received.
Try and prop up the pot one one side to aid in draining.
With the right soil mix, it should never get too wet if it drains well.

 

[A. Gorilla]

いうあてがy

 

[Eckhoffw]

いうあてがy

I second this.

 

[A. Gorilla]

I second this.

Careful, I am pretty bigoted.

 

[新しいお父さん]

いうあてがy

Have you ever worked with a blue star juniper? I read about how they're not ideal shrubs to encourage for bonsai growth, but gave it a shot anyway. What's your input?

 

[新しいお父さん]

What is your soil mix? It looks as if it may be too wet with all the rain you received.
Try and prop up the pot one one side to aid in draining.
With the right soil mix, it should never get too wet if it drains well.

My soil mix is Hoffman's Bonsai mix, and I took that photo right after watering it with immersion. Today it rained really heavily and I kept it under cover until about 4pm I took it out, and then it rained again while I was taking a nap :\ Tomorrow I'm supposed to get some good sun, I'm going to skip watering it tomorrow since it's been too wet already. Thank you for the advice!

 

[新しいお父さん]

How much wind did you get? Is it at all possible that the roots on one side where broken?

It's definitely possible! I never thought of that. The wind and the rain were unbelievable. I don't know the exact speed or anything but I remember how the storm had all the dogs scared more than usual.

 

[A. Gorilla]

Have you ever worked with a blue star juniper? I read about how they're not ideal shrubs to encourage for bonsai growth, but gave it a shot anyway. What's your input?

I dont share this wisdom very often, but for you I will make an exception...

 

[Eckhoffw]

I dont share this wisdom very often, but for you I will make an exception...

Classic. Intro to bonsai 101

 

[sorce]

The wire on the trunk was placed to anchor the tree when it was repotted. I suppose it is a possibility, the thickest side branch comes from underneath the soil, however, the other two extending branches are attached to the main trunk and still thriving. Which is why I'm optimistic that their health is still salvageable.

I have always thought jamming wire into the soil to wire a trunk is a move garaunteed to cause damage some day. This is similar. Good thing your day came early with inexpensive material!

It's one of the stupidest things we do in bonsai actually, since, if the soil near your trunk can even hold a wire still, you'll need to Repot before any bends are set anyhow. It's a trick that shouldn't work!


And with that, I just came up with a new system to more safely wire trees in!

Cheers!

Sorce

 

[Underdog]

It looks like two different trees.

Any chance it is 2 trees in that pot. I have 2 different types of Blue Star which look and act quite different. My nursery guy swears they are the same but They act very different.

 

[A. Gorilla]

Classic. Intro to bonsai 101

Would you, though? You know what I mean.

 

[新しいお父さん]

I dont share this wisdom very often, but for you I will make an exception...

WOW! I am honored you would pass down your wisdom to a lowly serF sUCh as I, you Know manY wOnderoUs things! I wonder, do you know how to take long walks off short piers? You should really try it sometime, takes a lot of wisdom to do it just right

 

[新しいお父さん]

Any chance it is 2 trees in that pot. I have 2 different types of Blue Star which look and act quite different. My nursery guy swears they are the same but They act very different.

Those look really great. And I'm glad to know that! I have hope still, admittedly its my first. I appreciate your input.

 

[新しいお父さん]

I have always thought jamming wire into the soil to wire a trunk is a move garaunteed to cause damage some day. This is similar. Good thing your day came early with inexpensive material!

It's one of the stupidest things we do in bonsai actually, since, if the soil near your trunk can even hold a wire still, you'll need to Repot before any bends are set anyhow. It's a trick that shouldn't work!


And with that, I just came up with a new system to more safely wire trees in!

Cheers!

Sorce

I removed those wires today, and sure enough, it had bit into the lower branch! Not a big deal since I wanted to sacrifice that branch anyway, but you're right! It was a good lesson to learn early!

 

[qwerty Bonsai]

I dont share this wisdom very often, but for you I will make an exception...

LOL
Bonsai -300 - after watching, your bonsai IQ would become negative