Is my juniper still alive?

[TheWolski]

Hi everyone. This is my first post on here so bear with me.



I bought this juniper April 15, 2017 as a kit off a website. (Not sure how good that is). Also this is my first bonsai tree.

When I received the tree I potted it in the pot provided and began to wire and shape the tree. It seems as though the tree was doing good until I noticed some of the branches dying. Also some tips of branches became crunchy and I could touch them and it would fall off.

I am just wondering if anyone could give me some insight as to why this is happening. It doesn't seem as though the whole tree is dying but just a few branches. It looks as though some new foliage is forming. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazki!

Its dead!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

See...

https://www.bonsainut.com/posts/455539/

Where are you?

Maybe someone can up you a fresh one!

Sorce

 

[TheWolski]

See...

https://www.bonsainut.com/posts/455539/

Where are you?

Maybe someone can up you a fresh one!

Sorce

I was hoping that t wasn't dead! Part of it I guess. Could it have been dead when I received the tree? I can't imagine me killing it in a month?

I am located in Missouri.

 

[sorce]

I was hoping that t wasn't dead! Part of it I guess. Could it have been dead when I received the tree? I can't imagine me killing it in a month?

I am located in Missouri.

@Stickroot is in Mo. And has stock.

Stock so good I don't go tempt myself!

Sorce

 

[TheWolski]

@Stickroot is in Mo. And has stock.

Stock so good I don't go tempt myself!

Sorce

Do you think it was dead when I got it or I didn't take care of it correctly?

Why would it have new foliage forming when dead?

 

[M. Frary]

Could it have been dead when I received the tree?

Highly possible.
Has it been indoors or out?
It has a dry look to it.

 

[TheWolski]

Highly possible.
Has it been indoors or out?
It has a dry look to it.

I have kept it outdoors since I have gotten it. I water it about every 2 days till water comes out of the bottom of the pot. I feel it has been getting enough sun throughout the day.

 

[Dav4]

Do you think it was dead when I got it or I didn't take care of it correctly?

Why would it have new foliage forming when dead?

A dead tree can't grow new foliage. The tree color is a bit off, but I do see new buds. Those buds should continue to extend and form branchlets as the summer comes on. Keep in full sun and water when the surface of the soil dries, likely once a day. You'll know if the tree is dead soon enough.

 

[TheWolski]

A dead tree can't grow new foliage. The tree color is a bit off, but I do see new buds. Those buds should continue to extend and form branchlets as the summer comes on. Keep in full sun and water when the surface of the soil dries, likely once a day. You'll know if the tree is dead soon enough.

Thanks for all the help! I will update as summer goes on and we will see what happens. Thanks again!

 

[jriddell88]

Looks dead , leave it outside and watch the soil everyday water as needed . If it has some new buds it may pull through but like they said you'll know soon. Leave it outside never inside. I'd dig down a little in the corner of the pot to see what the soils like under the surface could tell you a lot see what's under there

 

[TheWolski]

Looks dead , leave it outside and watch the soil everyday water as needed . If it has some new buds it may pull through but like they said you'll know soon. Leave it outside never inside. I'd dig down a little in the corner of the pot to see what the soils like under the surface could tell you a lot see what's under there

What exactly am I looking for when I do that? How wet or dry the soil is?

 

[jriddell88]

What exactly am I looking for when I do that? How wet or dry the soil is?

Yea or just what the soil is exactly , is it mush soil or an airy rocky mix take pictures with good light and we can better determine if it's soil problem , the top soil looks rocky if you water when it's dry and there's mushy soil under that holds moisture longer you could be watering it too much , but need to see what's under there

 

[TheWolski]

Yea or just what the soil is exactly , is it mush soil or an airy rocky mix take pictures with good light and we can better determine if it's soil problem , the top soil looks rocky if you water when it's dry and there's mushy soil under that holds moisture longer you could be watering it too much , but need to see what's under there

It looks as though the soil is super dry. Which is odd considering I watered t last night till water came out the bottom of the pot

 

[TheWolski]

This is a close up of the top of the tree. Those look like new buds correct?

 

[jriddell88]

If it's dry water it well , some people will stick a skewer stick down into the soil and leave it pull it out and check to see if its wet or dry to determine watering , i water almost everyday right now I just check each pot daily , as summer transitions in I will water twice a day usually , you don't want to let em dry out. Ore than a day , try the stick trick maybe until you can just look and know whether it needs water

 

[_#1_]

Do you overhead water or just soil?

Only conifer I have is a single Yew. And would like to get more!

 

[Paradox]

Definitely does not look good.

But might not be completely dead.
I've brought back one that looked similar and it is still alive.

I'd follow Dav4's advice. Keep it outside. Id put it in a place where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Water it when it needs it, not on a schedule. That means water when the soil is almost dry. Do not wait until it's completely dry. A sticjnin the soil is a good moisture gauge.

Do nothing else to the tree and see how it goes. If it's still alive, you'll see new growth in the next few weeks. If it's dead, it will turn more and more brown and crispy.

 

[jriddell88]

Dead

 

[rockm]

Um, did "putting it in the pot provided" entail removing some roots, was the tree barerooted?

Also working a newly potted juniper with wire, bending and the like is not a great idea. Repotting and wiring and pruning are all very stressful for conifers, including junipers. Moving too quickly is a common mistake for people just starting out. Doing all that all at once is probably a huge contributing factor if not the primary reason for the dead and dying foliage.

This may not be all the way dead--yet, but it's a good bet it will be soon. Sorry. Live and learn, every bonsaiist has had this happen at some point.