Juniper in jeapordy

[Justlearning]

This is my Juniper and first ever bonsai tree. I bought it from a street market and they told me I could keep it inside. Those are my first two mistakes that I have learned after research I’m starting to panic because I have moved it outside. I’m about to buy different soil so it will filter out better. It’s dried up quite a bit, however these little black dots are all over the leaves, especially the ones that have already turned. Yellow fell off and died and it’s starting to travel to my healthy branches. I think it’s a pest and I know my Juniper is weak so I’m just confused on what route to take. My tree is definitely taken a loss. These are some up close pictures. There’s these black dots all underneath the leaves and in the little needles I don’t know if I should go with the peroxide method or the oil just if anybody’s been here please let me know. I just wanna save my guy before it’s too late just so you know my plans are buying new soil with the lava and clay to make sure my pot can filter out the water better. Also I bought fertilizer and I don’t plan on repotting it due to the season, but I read taking out 1/3 of the soil around the top root then filling it back in with the new soil.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Can you share full tree photo for reference?

You have a procumbens juniper. Outside is best. Water when top 1/3 of the soil is dry and water so the water drains from the pot.

There seems to be some new growth or attempted new growth. Id treat with a fungicide/insecticide once a week every two weeks for three applications. Something like a bonide horticultiral oil would be a cheap good start. Slowly work the tree into full sun.

 

[Justlearning]

So I used my camera and zoomed in I can see there is some type of pest. I can see little bugs crawling some are dark some are almost light colored like a red maybe reddish. Here’s some close-up photos I took it won’t let me zoom close enough to see the bugs and take a picture. This is the whole tree I clipped back some and I feel like that was a mistake the last two pictures were prior to me trimming. My new soil comes tomorrow and do you think it’s okay to remove some of the old soil and put the new in or just treat first.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I wouldnt repot now until the tree is at full health and it is a good time to repot. Where are you located, btw? that will further aid in specific care. Typically juniper get repotted in spring after maples.

Treat tree and take it from there. Its not looking good.

 

[Justlearning]

I live in Clarksville Tennessee. Thank you so much for your help and insight. I really appreciate it. Also could it be contagious and get on my other plants if kept too close. And how would I know if I had root rot. Some of my top roots are showing.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Pests can spread, sure. Your plant is infested so I would try and keep it away from others you care about.

Tough to tell root rot without seeing the roots but I dont think its root rot. I think its a major infestation of mites and scale. Your soil doesnt appear waterlogged in the photo so you seem to be doing a good job watering ao far. Once the tree is rid of pests and in full health, expect to water more frequently due to growth.

In Clarksville TN USDA zone 7b repot in April ish for juniper - same as me in NJ.

 

[BrightsideB]

Getting the bonsai bug in summer is tough! It’s really the time we just try to keep them watered and fertilized properly to stay healthy. Reducing roots or foliage will tax the tree too much in most cases at this time.

Street market bonsai is where some people start and continue to take it to the next level cultivating great trees! But it is regarded as only a starting point to get interested for the most part.

If you have nurseries around you. They are a great place to find some material to practice with. Clubs are good as well. But during this heat, the trees are just trying to stay cool. Good luck! Don’t let a first dead tree get you down to much. It’s one of the philosophical lessons learned in practicing bonsai as well as a lesson in the horticultural side as well.

 

[Shibui]

That juniper almost certainly has mites. They are very common when plants are kept indoors but will also thrive outdoors. Normal insecticide will not kill mites. Need to find a product that kills mites or a dedicated miticide. Different products in different places so check with your local plant nursery for advice on what's available in your area that can treat mites.

 

[leatherback]

It lokos like this juniper has been infected with spider mites. These can kill your tree so it is important to treat them. Get an insecticide from a store that explicitly mentioned spider mites as spider mites are not insects and regular insecticides does not harm them. Ensure a full soak of the foliage, and at least 2 repeat applications about 5-6 days after eachother. Spider mites are everywhere outside and only under good conditions [for them] do they become an issue; So not too much worry about spreading. They are already around.

Just make sure you only water when the opt surface of the soil is starting to dry out. Do NOT soak in a tub of water, but top-water (and also water the foliage, junipers love that). Five it plenty of light (go gentle at first, and over the next 2 weeks move more and more into the sun).

 

[Justlearning]

Do I need to cut all the yellow and brown off the tree before I treat it or after or at all. I already did some. (Also do I cut just the needles or the whole branch?)
Okay now when you say a soak how do I do that? I found this on Amazon. How will I know if the infestation is gone?
I thank all of y’all so much for the insight and help.

 

[Shibui]

Use your miticide as directed on the pack. Usually sprayed all over. Try to spray from all directions so it covers all sides of all needles and into all cracks and spaces.

You can see the little mites moving with camera zoom so check a week after spraying to see if any are still moving - or find a magnifying glass to check.
Respray if necessary but most miticides I've used are very effective.
Keep watch in future for signs - tiny webs among the foliage, yellowing foliage. Test for mites by holding a piece of paper under a branch and tapping the branch to dislodge any pests. White paper makes it easier to see tiny bugs.

Any fully brown twigs are probably dead and can be removed.
Yellowing ones are still alive and should grow fresh at the ends, depending on the extent of damage.
Individual needles cannot recover to full green but new shoots will grow from tips and, sometimes back along the branches.
You'll need to wait until the full extent of damage becomes obvious before deciding what to remove and what to leave alone. Junipers typically don't respond well after losing a lot of foliage so it would be prudent to let this tree grow back for the remainder of your growing season before cutting back too much. Time to prune when it appears to have recovered and growing healthy again.

 

[Justlearning]

Thank you so much. I used this 3 in 1 neem oil spray and I drenched sprayed the foliage from every direction possible. I plan on doing it again in a few days. I didn’t do the soil. Is the soil okay or should I put any fertilizer on it or peroxide to help with the stress . Also due to me being in Tennessee it’s very hot and I’ve got it on the porch under an umbrella when I get it a bit more healthy is it okay to keep it in my little green house? (Using that spray and sunlight can scorch it I read) Or just kept him on my back porch table without the umbrella? I promise I have no more questions.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I used this 3 in 1 neem oil spray

The BioAdvanced 3 in 1 is not a neem oil spray. Neem oil is relatively safe for people, 3 in 1 spray is not and is banned in a couple countries because of it.
It's very important for your own safety - and that of your pets and family members and partners - to understand these differences. Drinking neem oil would give you diarrhea (tried and tested), drinking Bioadvanced 3 in 1 will kill your organs one by one (not tried and tested, I believe the descriptions of the contents).
Hence the emphasis on reading labels and knowing your poison.

Keep the plant where it was. Peroxide will induce stress rather than cure it, as it releases radical oxygens. We use peroxide if we want to kill fungi and bacteria.
A green house might cook it, so I think it's better to just keep it outdoors, that way you wouldn't have to worry about anything but watering.

Keep in mind you're dealing with a juniper. It can take a couple months to a year before you see it bounce back, or it can be dead for a month before you see it deteriorate further. Stability in environment is key, this way it doesn't need to adapt every couple days to new conditions which increases stress and lowers survival rates.

In the mean time, any garden center probably sells procumbens nana for about 15 dollars a piece. Since you now have a miticide and some experience, I want to suggest you get another! Or a few. That way you can go to town on them and see where the limits are. One needs to pass the time somehow!