First Post! 70 yr. old man, brand new "tree"

[JOsheem]

Hello All -

I know the bare minimum about the big universe that is bonsai knowledge, but I'm curious and am capable of being patient - and appreciate you sharing your time and knowledge!
My journey began unexpectedly with the recent gift of this pictured, small....I hesitate to call it a bonsai tree - yet!



Here are my two first questions
• Can you direct me to threads or posts that would be good starting points?
• Is there one thing (re-pot?) that I should do immediately?

I will add the following -
• This cypress (?) may not be a particularly good starter tree, but because of my relationship with the person who gave it to me I would like to try to sustain and develop it.
• It's winter here in New York City, so although raising it outside may be the best option in the long run, this may not be a good time to make that transition

And....Happy New Year!

 

[Esolin]

Welcome!

That is a Procumbens Juniper, also called a 'Nana' or 'Green Mound' Juniper and it's excellent starter material. Getting through winter is the first challenge. It is young/small and if the roots freeze, it'll be a goner. But it also won't survive long term indoors (poor light, low humidity) and may die before Spring if kept strictly indoors. Junipers need lots of sun. Is there anyway you can put in a little green house? I don't live in a cold climate, so I can't really offer specific advice. Hopefully someone else will come along soon who can.

Good luck on your journey into bonsai! It can be frustrating at times, but also a lot of fun.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Greetings and Welcome Aboard Bonsai Nut!

Procumbens Junipers are pretty darn tough. but like @Esolin mentioned, will not survive indoors.

Wondering if you live in an apartment of separate home… ? If apartment does it have a balcony with sun exposure?

Cheers and Happy New Years!
DSD sends

 

[milehigh_7]

Hello All -

I know the bare minimum about the big universe that is bonsai knowledge, but I'm curious and am capable of being patient - and appreciate you sharing your time and knowledge!
My journey began unexpectedly with the recent gift of this pictured, small....I hesitate to call it a bonsai tree - yet!



Here are my two first questions
• Can you direct me to threads or posts that would be good starting points?
• Is there one thing (re-pot?) that I should do immediately

I will add the following -
• This cypress (?) may not be a particularly good starter tree, but because of my relationship with the person who gave it to me I would like to try to sustain and develop it.
• It's winter here in New York City, so although raising it outside may be the best option in the long run, this may not be a good time to make that transition

And....Happy New Year!

Welcome! @Esolin is correct that's 100% a Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' There are many folks here (probably everyone) better to give you advice on it so I'll not but I will say a hardy WELCOME!!! Don't do anything at all but keep it outside and water until you get some good information on care. Put your location in your profile so we can give you the best possible advice. If it's been indoors you might be right on transitioning it now but yes long term it must be outside. Some experts will likely chime in.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Welcome! What are your outside options for this tree? In NYC it can be impossible to outside space... Hopefully you have some options, otherwise, its going to be tough to keep a juniper. An indoor tropical like a ficus might be better.

 

[shimbrypaku]

My junipers freeze to my bench, shimpaku, nana, Sanjose, Itoigawa.
I water them when the weather is above freezing and allow them to re freeze when the temperature falls.

Thanks

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Yeah, I wouldnt worry about temps in NYC proper for juniper at all. Its about getting them outside if you live in an apartment thats tough.

All mine are out in freezing temps here in NJ. I only bring my recently wired specimen under some protection if high temps are dropping below 20F for a few days at a time.

 

[shimbrypaku]

For what it’s worth, the biggest killer of trees in the winter ( in bonsai soil) is lack of water.

This is just my experience here in northern NC.

Thanks

 

[shimbrypaku]

One of my rooted cuttings, 8 ( eight ) years old or so. Juniper is in a cedar hand made box. I need to up the size to an 8x8 in the spring.

This procumbens nana has had no winter protection even as a cutting.

Thanks

 

[JOsheem]

Thank you all! @Esolin @Deep Sea Diver @milehigh_7 @Orion_metalhead @shimbrypaku
Because of AI & paywalls & trolling, etc. the internet has become such a compromised place to seek information.
I'm delighted to discover that this forum is a place where informed sharing and good manners seem to live on!

Follow up:
It's clear that exposure to winter weather is required.
• Should I re-pot (a) with more material around the roots before exposing to cold?
• I know bonsai live in special soil/stone mixes - is it important to use such a mix before exposing to cold, or is temporarily using plain soil OK for the winter?
• One response said because it is young and small, freezing the roots will likely kill it. Others (maybe with older, bigger trees) said not to worry.
Your thoughts?
If you think cold is a concern, what is the lowest temperature it should be exposed to?
Would a tiny "greenhouse", possibly with a small lightbulb as a below-the-pot heater at night be a good combination?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Responses in bold

Thank you all! @Esolin @Deep Sea Diver @milehigh_7 @Orion_metalhead @shimbrypaku
Because of AI & paywalls & trolling, etc. the internet has become such a compromised place to seek information.
I'm delighted to discover that this forum is a place where informed sharing and good manners seem to live on! There are so many people here with great knowledge! We do answer a lot of inquiries and try to help out as much as possible. Sometimes curtness can be misinterpreted. Thank you for feeling otherwise!

Follow up:
It's clear that exposure to winter weather is required.
• Should I re-pot (a) with more material around the roots before exposing to cold? No. Do not repot now. Mid-to-late spring is a good time for repotting junipers. It helps to follow/take note of those who are local to you and keep an eye when experienced members are performing certain activities. The "what did you do today" thread is great for this.
• I know bonsai live in special soil/stone mixes - is it important to use such a mix before exposing to cold, or is temporarily using plain soil OK for the winter? no, not necessarily for this reason. Its mostly for long term care in a pot that we use certain potting media.
• One response said because it is young and small, freezing the roots will likely kill it. Others (maybe with older, bigger trees) said not to worry.
Your thoughts? In our USDA 6-7 climate (not sure if nyc is 6 or 7) periodic freezes are not a big deal. In zones lower than USDA 5, Id be more concerned about long term freezes causing dessication and damage.
If you think cold is a concern, what is the lowest temperature it should be exposed to? Its less about temperature and more about length of time exposed which would prevent the tree from pulling moisture into the tree if needed. I dont worry in winter about a couple days of frozen soil but if we get into more days, I occasionally will provide some shelter.
Would a tiny "greenhouse", possibly with a small lightbulb as a below-the-pot heater at night be a good combination? I think this is overkill. Simply surrounding the pot in a mulch and placed on the ground would likely be ok.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Should I re-pot (a) with more material around the roots before exposing to cold?

I'm still early in my own bonsai journey, but I don't think this is a good idea. You don't want to disturb the roots and then expose them to very low temperatures. It would probably be better to leave it in the current pot and not worry too much about new soil/substrate until it has proven its vigor.
Welcome to the party that is the NutHouse!

 

[Paradox]

Thank you all! @Esolin @Deep Sea Diver @milehigh_7 @Orion_metalhead @shimbrypaku
Because of AI & paywalls & trolling, etc. the internet has become such a compromised place to seek information.
I'm delighted to discover that this forum is a place where informed sharing and good manners seem to live on!

Follow up:
It's clear that exposure to winter weather is required.
• Should I re-pot (a) with more material around the roots before exposing to cold?
• I know bonsai live in special soil/stone mixes - is it important to use such a mix before exposing to cold, or is temporarily using plain soil OK for the winter?
• One response said because it is young and small, freezing the roots will likely kill it. Others (maybe with older, bigger trees) said not to worry.
Your thoughts?
If you think cold is a concern, what is the lowest temperature it should be exposed to?
Would a tiny "greenhouse", possibly with a small lightbulb as a below-the-pot heater at night be a good combination?

Welcome.
Orion Metalhead gave you good advice. However you didn't answer the question about whether you live in an apartment or a house? The answer is helpful in letting us know the situation you and this tree are in and we can give you better advice

 

[shimbrypaku]

I would leave it alone, mulch in to a bed, side of you house, retaining wall and leave the top of the pot open for watering. Make sure it doesn’t dry out, the hardest part of bonsai care is overwintering and watering.

Just my experience.

Thanks

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

@mAll of the above folks are basically correct in most respects.

Please do not repot now. Let’s just keep the plant healthy over winter. If there is a place safe from pests and walking traffic to plant the juniper in… then plant in the ground as described above while assuring good drainage and mulch in the area 2’ around with medium wood mulch.

In my experience on a balcony something that small might need a tad more protection.

In this case here’s an idea. Get a 5 g bucket, outdoor garden soil, and lid, and mulch. Then drill (or see if the hardware fills will do it) 1/4” holes in sides all around the lower 1- 1 1/2’ of the bucket. Ensure there are about 8 holes in the bottom side edge about 1/2” up.

Next fill bucket just about 3/4” shake to let settle, fill to same area and water top thoroughly using 1/2g of water.

Plant entire container in top center and mulch in thoroughly across surface.

Place lid on top during very cold weather. Take off during day/s/nights when warmer.

Water lightly as needed to keep moist not wet.

If it snows, in any of the two cases, pack snow around plant to edge of mulch surface.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[PastryBaker]

Welcome to Crazyville...lol...wait..maybe that is just me. This is a great place to learn.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Welcome to Crazyville...lol...wait..maybe that is just me. This is a great place to learn.

No, I think all of us are nuts.