Lobno

Hi everyone,
I recently (3 days ago) got myself a bonsai
Please, tell me what species do I have, and if any1 could, give some basic/elementary tips on how to take care of him?
Like how much and how often should I water it, Should i start cutting something off? Should I somehow start modeling it? i also noticed, that below its crown, the little branches/twigs coniferous are starting to get brown and look a bit dry/adhere Is that normal?
The bonsai is staying inside the whole time, with practically no sunlight at all
what should I do and how should I start taking care of him?
Explanation or some links to my exact species would be very much appreciated!!
Waiting for your responses, here is the link to the photos
ImageShack Album - 13 images

FrankP999

That is a Juniper. It should be kept outdoors. It WILL DIE if you keep it indoors. Put it outdoors if you want it to live.

shrimpy

Hi Lobno
You have a Juniper procumbens nana
I agree with Frank if you keep it indoors it WILL DIE
If you google Juniper procumbens nana bonsai you will have a lot of information and pictures
don't be in a hurry to cut anything off read the information study the pictures join your local bansai club you can never have too much help
if your tree has been indoors for a while when you put it outside make sure it is shaded for at least a week or it will get sun burnt
Shrimpy

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philgrayser

Frankp999 and shrimpy are both right, this tree needs to be outdoors. You should also leave it alone to acclimatize in a shaded area for a few weeks like shrimpy said and gradually place it in its final growing spot. Good luck cheers Phil G

Phil

Yes, as all of the above said…..OUTSIDE or it WILL die. Many people new to bonsai see bonsai trees being displayed indoors so they assume that they can be kept indoors. They can, for a few days or so all depending on the species. Start it out in semi shade and then slowly acclimate it to full sun.

CLICK HERE> Juniper Procumbens nana

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Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
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Lobno

Thanks a lot for all the answers
I moved the tree outside, and made a little roof and its shaded the whole time
The guy I bought it from, said to only keep it inside and away from the window... he was asian too and had a lot of other bonsai -.-...
I live in US/New york NY manhattan and can some1 explain why It needs to be outside?
The air inside my apartment is "better" because I have a running AC 80% of the time, and the air is not so dry as outside
Wont the temp 90-95+ with high humidity kill it ??
Should I beside watering it, sprinkle some water on it?
Is there a way to somehow SLOWLY acclimate it to being kept inside? Like buy some special lamps or something?
or keep it near a window? or Most of the time near an open window? and what about winter?? Should it be outside for snow and -10 C temp too??
Thanks again and waiting for more tips =)

philgrayser

All trees should be outside thats where they come from. Only tropical trees like ficus and schefflera can tolerate being inside.(the word being tolerate here) The tree will acclimatize and grow better to outdoor conditions once a suitable place is found for it. All trees have different tolerances to being outdoors,some like shade some like direct sunlight some like high humidity but at the end of the day they all like being outdoors. I really wouldn't try to acclimatize this tree to indoors as it will definitely kill it.
The cold conditions in winter should be all-right as long as the tree is kept out of the worst freezing winds and extreme frosts as this can damage roots and new bud growth. cheers Phil G

treebeard55

That almost sounds like he was yanking your chain! If he has any experience at all, he knows a juniper will die indoors in fairly short order. Maybe he was claiming experience he didn't have, in order to make a sale. Not trying to diss him, but that statement is pretty outrageous.


It needs to be outside for light. I assume you know the crucial role of light, so won't go into it. What many people don't know, tho, is that a room can look well-lit to us, but be much too dark for plants to survive in. That's because our eyes are so good at adapting to different light levels.

Misting won't hurt. Will actually help a bit when the temps are in the 90's F. The tree would survive without it, tho.

Moving it outside in stages -- and taking that roof off in stages -- is OK. Take the roof off for 2 hours one day, 4 the next, that sort of idea. The whole process shouldn't take more than 2 weeks.

Juniperus procumbens nana, which is what you have, is a cold-hardy species. It needs, repeat, needs, a yearly cold dormancy for its long-term health. If protected from wind (which dries out foliage) a potted procumbens can take temperatures down to -10 F (-23 C if I did the math right) with no problem at all.

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Phil

Junipers are the most common bonsai trees sold in stores and malls. The reason being is that the foliage will stay green for a long time even if it is dying, or already dead. He said that it could be kept inside simply because he wanted to make a sale. Actually, there is NO such thing as a "bonsai" tree just as there is NO such thing as bonsai seeds. A bonsai tree is simply a tree or shrub that is kept in a small pot and trained to do so by pruning, root pruning and wiring/training the branches.

If you must keep a tree inside I'd strongly suggest going with one of the many hardy varieties of ficus. However, even then it must be supplied with optimum lighting, ventilation and humidity. Actually, even the hardiest tropical trees that can tolerate being kept indoors will always do much better outside. Before you proceed any further I would strongly suggest you obtain some books on basic bonsai care.

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

Mike423

Like I always say I recommend any beginner to read as many Bonsai books as possible like Phil had mentioned. You can go to your local library and they should have an abundance of bonsai books for you to read.

If you really want a tree display inside I recommend you buy a Ficus, as they are forgiving in the ways of light they receive (again like Phil stated). I would also recommend buying a grow light to keep over it preferably a Metal halide one if you wish to keep it in a location other than in a well lit window.

From your pictures I cant help to get the feeling you have glued on rocks over the soil. If this is the case I would recommend you remove them asap as they will cause issues with regulating soil moisture and impede its ability to dry evenly.