JUNIPER BONSAI
Care & Maintenance
Introduction
The Juniper species is an icon within the Bonsai hobby, it is possibly the most recognizable Bonsai species and has become synonymous with the art of Bonsai.
The Juniper genus belongs in the Cypress family and all of them are coniferous evergreen trees or shrubs. The species can have needle like or scale like foliage and sometimes both!
Placement
Place your Bonsai tree outdoors throughout the year in an area that receives good sunlight for healthy growth. Whilst growing this species outdoors is preferred if you are patient and devoted you can grow junipers indoors, see growing Junipers indoors for more information.
Watering
When watering a Juniper Bonsai standard Bonsai watering techniques should be followed, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Junipers do not like having their roots sitting in damp soil this will lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out a bit before watering your tree, observe your tree and check the soil regularly to become in tune with its needs.
There are many ways to water a Bonsai tree:
Water the tree with a fine mist from a watering can or hosepipe nozzle that has fine holes for the water to pass through.
Soak the Bonsai pot in a bucket of water, carefully watch the bubbles rising up from the pot surface when the bubbles stop the pot is now saturated with water and should be removed.
You can also use a jug of water, however this method can wash away and gravel or soil on the surface of the pot. Make sure you water the pot evenly with this method.
As long as your precious tree is getting enough water and you abide by the guidelines mentioned above then you can water your tree in which ever manner is most convenient for you.
Fertilizing
Use normal organic fertilizer pellets every month during the growing season for strong healthy growth. To avoid losing your fertilizer off the soil surface you can purchase fertilizer pots to hold the pellets or create a shallow indentation on the soils surface to hold the pellets. Liquid fertilizer can also be used once a week, be careful not to over do it with the fertilizer as you can burn the roots. If strong growth is what you are after you can use fertilizers with higher nitrogen levels in the spring.
Monitor your tree carefully and recognize which stage of development your tree is in. If you would like to achieve strong dominant growth that you can create new branches with or rapidly develop foliage to benefit the health of the tree you can fertilize regularly with a high nitrogen content fertilizer. If your tree needs finer development and good ramification you can tone back on the amount of fertilizer as well as choose a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content.
Pruning, Trimming and Wiring
The goal of pruning and trimming your tree is to develop the foliage pads and good ramification. This is achieved by trimming long shoots that stick out of the silhouette. Pinch Juniper foliage to prevent the needles/scales from turning an ugly brown. Scissors can be used to remove foliage at its base or weak 'twiggy' growth. Avoid cutting the foliage directly with scissors as removing foliage in this manner can weaken the tree and the cut foliage tips will turn an ugly brown. To thin overgrown foliage pads start by removing weak 'twiggy' growth and 'crotch' growth (the unsightly new growth that sprouts in the 'crotch' of branches). This will open up the foliage pad allowing air and light into the pad and strengthening the tree. Juniper Bonsais handle aggressive pruning very well but take care not to remove all the foliage from a branch you want to keep as it is likely to die back if all its' foliage has been removed.
When wiring Junipers you can let your imagination run wild as the species is very flexible when young or if the new growth hasn't hardened off yet. Be sure to wrap branches with raffia or tape when bending older wood or branches as they can tear off or break. Use caution when bending areas with deadwood as those parts do break easily. After thinning out the foliage pads you can wire out the finer branches into a fan to display your beautiful ramification and handiwork. This will also allow air and light to penetrate the pad leading to healthier growth.
Repotting
Repot the Juniper Bonsai tree once every two years. Junipers prefer well draining soil. The best time to repot your tree is in early spring, avoid aggressively pruning roots. There are many different soil mixes that will lead to Bonsai success:
Standard traditional: 1 parts Akadama | 1 part Pumice | 1 part lava stone @ 3-6mm particle size
South African Mix: 1 Part half-course river sand, silica sand or fine stone chip (2-4mm particle size) with half-good-quality compost. (Adjust levels of compost based on your climate, if your climate is dry more compost, if wet more particles) (Bonsai success in Southern Africa, Carl Morrow and Keith Kirsten pg82-83)
Free draining mixture: 1 part compost | 2 parts fine grit (silica etc.)
Growing Junipers Indoors
Ensure you position your precious Bonsai tree in an area that has access to bright light, ideally direct sunlight, for at least 3 hours per day. If this is not possible you can supplement with 'outside time' for a few hours a day or every second day at least.
Regulating the humidity around your tree is essential when growing indoors. We recommend spraying down the tree daily with clean water or standing your tree in a tray with pebbles. The water level should not be allowed to rise above the pebbles. The point of the tray is to introduce humidity into the immediate area around your tree NOT to water the tree. Excess water in the soil can lead to root rot so be vigilant.
Your tree will never be as vigorous or strong as a tree that is grown outdoors in good sunlight therefore inspect your tree regularly for any signs of stress or pests. Growing juniper indoors can be successful but you need to be diligent and get to know the needs of your tree.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative! Leave us a comment if you have anything to add.