nana juniper browning :(

[junhee]

I was gifted a juniper bonsai for my birthday. It was fine the first few days, looked happy as can be- then it suddenly started browning like this.
I have not been overwatering it, could possibly be slightly under watering it even. I put it in a place that is shaded yet gets sun.
This is the pot it came in and as I am new to bonsai care, I have no idea what the metal in here is for. Just showing in case it is a concern. The whole pot concerns me really...it looks too small. The dirt seems too compact...
Is this tree salvageable? If it is, what should I do?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Welcome. Happy to help. Where are you located?

The wire is to hold the tree into the pot and is common practice.

Looks like normal potting soil which is not great for bonsai typically, especially juniper which does not like waterlogged roots.

What do you mean "shaded but gets sun"?

 

[junhee]

Welcome. Happy to help. Where are you located?

The wire is to hold the tree into the pot and is common practice.

Looks like normal potting soil which is not great for bonsai typically, especially juniper which does not like waterlogged roots.

What do you mean "shaded but gets sun"?

Thank you for the welcome
This is in Connecticut. In the time I've had it the weather range has been about 60 - 90. Majority being high 70s to 80s. Thank you for informing me of the purpose of the wire!
I set this tree on a section of the porch that gets sun some parts of the day and shade other parts of the day. I would have to watch it more closely on a sunny day to see the sun to shade ratio properly, but it has been raining for the most part, and on sunny days I was busy and did not have the presence of mind to watch the sunshine's movement carefully.
If the soil seems to be a problem, should I find bonsai specific soil and change it out?
and if so, should I move it to a bigger pot?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

If this were my tree, I would be probably considering doing a repot now with no major root reduction but to get the majority organic soil out of the root ball. I would then use a bonsai-specific soil that is well draining as replacement. The location you have the tree in now will likely be good for a few weeks after the repot but once signs of growth appear, Id try getting it into full sun all day. Juniper are sun loving - they cant get enough sun.

when watering, check with your finger or a chopstick in the soil - the soil should be just damp about 1/2 an inch down.

You may want to look for a local club or experienced hobbyist to help with the repot if you are unsure.

 

[junhee]

If this were my tree, I would be probably considering doing a repot now with no major root reduction but to get the majority organic soil out of the root ball. I would then use a bonsai-specific soil that is well draining as replacement. The location you have the tree in now will likely be good for a few weeks after the repot but once signs of growth appear, Id try getting it into full sun all day. Juniper are sun loving - they cant get enough sun.

when watering, check with your finger or a chopstick in the soil - the soil should be just damp about 1/2 an inch down.

You may want to look for a local club or experienced hobbyist to help with the repot if you are unsure.

Alright. I'm glad to know this tree is salvageable. Thank you for the information! It is much appreciated.

 

[Mikea454]

I'm Massachusetts, so same weather. with all that rain we have been getting the water is going to pool in that tray and be tucked back into the soil and make things too soggy for a juniper. the brown o. the low branches might just be dying back of internals that don't have enough light, but I think the top is something different. Either its being in the tray with the recent rains, damage to the new growth from the repotting I suspect happened before you got it (it can take weeks to show), or a sudden change in hot weather.

-drop the tray
-clip the dead stuff on top
-try to water with rain water, especially if ypur tap is alkaline
-get it in place with good morning and evening sun, but a little protection from the hot afternoon, and transition it to full sun as it adjusts. Junipers like full sun.
-repot in early spring with more inorganic soil type

 

[Mikea454]

definitely salvageable still

 

[junhee]

I'm Massachusetts, so same weather. with all that rain we have been getting the water is going to pool in that tray and be tucked back into the soil and make things too soggy for a juniper. the brown o. the low branches might just be dying back of internals that don't have enough light, but I think the top is something different. Either its being in the tray with the recent rains, damage to the new growth from the repotting I suspect happened before you got it (it can take weeks to show), or a sudden change in hot weather.

-drop the tray
-clip the dead stuff on top
-try to water with rain water, especially if ypur tap is alkaline
-get it in place with good morning and evening sun, but a little protection from the hot afternoon, and transition it to full sun as it adjusts. Junipers like full sun.
-repot in early spring with more inorganic soil type

Noted! May I ask what the purpose of the tray would be in the first place?
Do you think it would be good to repot it with better soil in this month, or would that stress the plant and cause it to die?
If it will be too stressful, do I replace the soil in the same pot?

 

[Mikea454]

Noted! May I ask what the purpose of the tray would be in the first place?
Do you think it would be good to repot it with better soil in this month, or would that stress the plant and cause it to die?
If it will be too stressful, do I replace the soil in the same pot?

the purpose of the tray is to add some humidity, my weeping willows love them. I think the rain we've has already been a little more water than ideal for the junipers (I still have some in nursery pots so still in organic soil).

the soil on top looks mostly like a pine bark, is it the same throughout? the picture with the top dusted away looks like a fine particle size potting soil or compost. If it's the pine bark throughout the drainage is pretty good - I would stick with that through the growing season and repot in early spring.

if it's a soggy wet ball of potting soil around the roots, maybe take the change at a repot now, bw gentle and don't prune or rake at the roots. Get Everything out and ready so your roots dont dry out including a little drainage mesh incase there isnt one. Untwist the metal wire you exposed next to the trunk and tip the pot and lift the tree out. wash away the crap soil and wash out the pot. leave the tie in wire and add a mesh over the drainage holes if there isn't one (dozens of yputube videos for this). repot within organic mix that has good drainage. tie it back in with pliers.

put it in some shade for a week under a tree on a chair or small table off the ground and let it recover and transition it out to full for the rest of the year. maybe a spot that gets a little overhead protection for the 12-2 sun on those 85 plus degree days.

GL

 

[junhee]

the purpose of the tray is to add some humidity, my weeping willows love them. I think the rain we've has already been a little more water than ideal for the junipers (I still have some in nursery pots so still in organic soil).

the soil on top looks mostly like a pine bark, is it the same throughout? the picture with the top dusted away looks like a fine particle size potting soil or compost. If it's the pine bark throughout the drainage is pretty good - I would stick with that through the growing season and repot in early spring.

if it's a soggy wet ball of potting soil around the roots, maybe take the change at a repot now, bw gentle and don't prune or rake at the roots. Get Everything out and ready so your roots dont dry out including a little drainage mesh incase there isnt one. Untwist the metal wire you exposed next to the trunk and tip the pot and lift the tree out. wash away the crap soil and wash out the pot. leave the tie in wire and add a mesh over the drainage holes if there isn't one (dozens of yputube videos for this). repot within organic mix that has good drainage. tie it back in with pliers.

put it in some shade for a week under a tree on a chair or small table off the ground and let it recover and transition it out to full for the rest of the year. maybe a spot that gets a little overhead protection for the 12-2 sun on those 85 plus degree days.

GL

Thank you for the information on the purpose of the tray!
When I dusted the top to see what was underneath, from my memory it was not more pine bark- I will take a look again tomorrow. Thank you for all the suggestions. Any help and information is much appreciated!

 

[Mikea454]

keep an eye out if anyone else chimes in here, there are way more experienced people here - it"s a great resource