Juniper is starting to get brown

[Tima189836]

I have just got my first juniper on December 17th and i did not know how to take care of it, apparently i have to keep it outside all the time, but the temperature gets down to 21f and im just scared to put it outside, and then I have checked the soil and its moist for the most part, so im guessing that im watering it right, but what im aware of is that its been inside for 4 days and its too late to do something, pleaseee help I need to save my baby. Also the leaves get brown closer to the trunk bot not on the tip. Could someone tell me what am i doing wrong?

 

[bwaynef]

None of the browning looks unnatural. You don't say where you are (and its not in your profile), but this tree needs to be outside regardless. There's a thread that's active on why you shouldn't grow bonsai indoors. The browning is the natural progression of foliage.

 

[Paradox]

You've already stated what you are doing wrong: you are keeping an outside tree inside the house.
You will not save it if you continue doing that. It needs to be outside.
However outside in the winter when it gets as cold as you are seeing, means providing some protection from cold winds.
One easy and simple way to do this is to put it against the north or east foundation of your house and mulch around the pot, do not bury the entire tree.
This will insulate it somewhat as your foundation will give off some warmth against extreme cold
Another more elaborate set up is a cold frame.

 

[Tima189836]

None of the browning looks unnatural. You don't say where you are (and its not in your profile), but this tree needs to be outside regardless. There's a thread that's active on why you shouldn't grow bonsai indoors. The browning is the natural progression of foliage.

I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee and it gets pretty cold outside

 

[Tima189836]

You've already stated what you are doing wrong: you are keeping an outside tree inside the house.
You will not save it if you continue doing that. It needs to be outside.
However outside in the winter when it gets as cold as you are seeing, means providing some protection from cold winds.
One easy and simple way to do this is to put it against the north or east foundation of your house and mulch around the pot, do not bury the entire tree.
This will insulate it somewhat as your foundation will give off some warmth against extreme cold
Another more elaborate set up is a cold frame.

Well i could make something similar to the greenhouse by putting some 2x4s and plexiglass together, but i've heard somewhere that they like to get some wind on them too, but im aware that it will be too cold of a wind, and then, is it okay if i will move it from room temperature (71f) to outside temperature that fast? And i've read somewhere that you could put it in the garage overnight if its not heated like mine, is that true?

 

[coachspinks]

I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee and it gets pretty cold outside

Do what Paradox said. It cannot be kept indoors. That juniper is safe to zone 4, in a pot it is safe for zone 5.

 

[Tima189836]

Do what Paradox said. It cannot be kept indoors. That juniper is safe to zone 4, in a pot it is safe for zone 5.

Well the same question then, is it alright to move it from warm to cold that fast?

 

[coachspinks]

Well the same question then, is it alright to move it from warm to cold that fast?

If it has only been indoors for 4 days it should be fine.

 

[coachspinks]

If it has only been indoors for 4 days it should be fine.

Here is the thread on beginner mistakes. Your anxiety is not unusual for beginners but most bonsai are outdoor plants and suffer indoors.

 

[Tima189836]

If it has only been indoors for 4 days it should be fine.

I really could put it outside right now if you think that's a good idea, but paradox said that i could mulch around a pot, any idea if i need to do it right, if yes then with what? I do have somу sheets that are made out of the same material as pipe insulators that i could put around it, and put it outside now or should I just leave it outside as/is?

 

[coachspinks]

I really could put it outside right now if you think that's a good idea, but paradox said that i could mulch around a pot, any idea if i need to do it right, if yes then with what? I do have somу sheets that are made out of the same material as pipe insulators that i could put around it, and put it outside now or should I just leave it outside as/is?

Mulching is good. Paradox describes the method in his post - "
"One easy and simple way to do this is to put it against the north or east foundation of your house and mulch around the pot, do not bury the entire tree.
This will insulate it somewhat as your foundation will give off some warmth against extreme cold" I'm not too far from you and your low is about the same as our low the next couple of nights. I have never mulched my trees, just set them on the ground. Unless it gets below 25, my larger trees stay on the bench. If we get one of those low teens or lower cold snaps, we will have to do some things differently.

Edit - but all of mine are shielded from cold winds. I have a fence that protects them from one side and hills/trees from the other sides. Winds will dry them out. That is why Paradox mentioned using your homes foundation. It does provide warmth and it shields the tree from the wind.

 

[Tima189836]

Mulching is good. Paradox describes the method in his post - "
"One easy and simple way to do this is to put it against the north or east foundation of your house and mulch around the pot, do not bury the entire tree.
This will insulate it somewhat as your foundation will give off some warmth against extreme cold" I'm not too far from you and your low is about the same as our low the next couple of nights. I have never mulched my trees, just set them on the ground. Unless it gets below 25, my larger trees stay on the bench. If we get one of those low teens or lower cold snaps, we will have to do some things differently.

Edit - but all of mine are shielded from cold winds. I have a fence that protects them from one side and hills/trees from the other sides. Winds will dry them out. That is why Paradox mentioned using your homes foundation. It does provide warmth and it shields the tree from the wind.

Do you think I can just create something like a box for the pot but not the top of the tree out of foam insulation material and put it outside right now?

 

[Paradox]

Well i could make something similar to the greenhouse by putting some 2x4s and plexiglass together, but i've heard somewhere that they like to get some wind on them too, but im aware that it will be too cold of a wind, and then, is it okay if i will move it from room temperature (71f) to outside temperature that fast? And i've read somewhere that you could put it in the garage overnight if its not heated like mine, is that true?

A greenhouse like structure will get too warm on sunny days. The juniper needs dormancy not tropical weather.
A garage is fine if it doesnt get too warm. My attached garage is too warm in the winter (above 50 degrees at times)
Mulch it with mulch. Can get bags of that at Lowes or Home Depot if you have one near by. Typically its pine bark chunks

 

[coachspinks]

Do you think I can just create something like a box for the pot but not the top of the tree out of foam insulation material and put it outside right now?

yes, you can do that.

 

[Tima189836]

yes, you can do that.

Will do

 

[Tima189836]

Will do

Thats what it looks like now, will have to take it apart in the morning before work to water it, but I think it will be alright. Another question though, if I did that, the water probably will not evaporate as much, so im thinking i don't have to take it apart in the morning to water it, i could just do it after i get off work (1pm)

 

[Tima189836]

A greenhouse like structure will get too warm on sunny days. The juniper needs dormancy not tropical weather.
A garage is fine if it doesnt get too warm. My attached garage is too warm in the winter (above 50 degrees at times)
Mulch it with mulch. Can get bags of that at Lowes or Home Depot if you have one near by. Typically its pine bark chunks

Well i was thinking more of a box made out of plexiglass with no bottom and you can put it over the plant for night, and I will buy mulch tomorrow

 

[WNC Bonsai]

In Japan some put bonsai in styrofoam boxes with a foam lid on at night. They take the lid off each morning and back on again at sunset. Here in Asheville I have about 1/4 of my trees sitting on the ground on the north side of my house just like I have done for the last 15 years. Some years I cover the pots with leaves or pine needles and if it looks to get really cold I will use bagged mulch from Lowes. Also don’t forget to water trees on winter—dry roots are dead roots. But don’t overdo it, maybe a liter or two once a month.

 

[Paradox]

Thats what it looks like now, will have to take it apart in the morning before work to water it, but I think it will be alright. Another question though, if I did that, the water probably will not evaporate as much, so im thinking i don't have to take it apart in the morning to water it, i could just do it after i get off work (1pm)

If the soil is still moist, it wont need water.
You shouldnt water junipers again until the soil is ALMOST dry anyway
They dont like sopping wet soil all the time, what we call "wet feet". It needs to drain

 

[Tima189836]

In Japan some put bonsai in styrofoam boxes with a foam lid on at night. They take the lid off each morning and back on again at sunset. Here in Asheville I have about 1/4 of my trees sitting on the ground on the north side of my house just like I have done for the last 15 years. Some years I cover the pots with leaves or pine needles and if it looks to get really cold I will use bagged mulch from Lowes.

I have few pines growing on my property, can i use them instead of bagged mulch from stores?