JUNIPER NEEDLES TURNING YELLOW

Dominie · White Belt Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Florida

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? I WAS GIVEN AN 8 YR. OLD JUNIPER BONSAI AND IT BEGAN LOSING NEEDLES AND TURNING YELLOW NEAR THE BRANCHES WITHIN A MONTH. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR WATERING IN THE HANDBOOK, BUT STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. IT GOT WORSE WHEN I PUT THE JUNIPER IN A HOT SUNNY WINDOW....I LIVE IN FLORIDA. SO I PUT IT BACK ON THE MANTLE WHERE IT IS COOLER AND THERE IS LESS LIGHT. I WAS SOAKING THE ROOT BALL AS RECOMMENDED IN THE BOOK ONCE A WEEK. SEEMS NO MATTER HOW OFTEN OR NOT I WATER IT, THE SAME THING HAPPENS. SHOULD I BE FERTILIZING?? AM I WATERING TOO MUCH? IS IT REALLY IN OUTDOOR PLANT THAT I AM MISTREATING BY KEEPING INSIDE?? I NEVER HAD A BONSAI BEFORE AND THIS ONE WAS GIVEN IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER WHO DIED IN JANUARY AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KEEP IT ALIVE AND HEALTHY. THE TIPS OF THE SMALL BRANCHES ARE STILL NICE AND GREEN--IT IS ONLY TURNING YELLOW NEXT TO THE BIGGER BRANCHES. ANY HELP WILL BE MOST APPRECIATED!!!!

Dick

It probably needs watering everyday since you live in Florida. Also, the sun is very hot during the midday and your tree could benefit from some shade.

zzt6688

Dominie,
Listin to what dick said, the extra water should help. You need to keep the tree outside. Inside it will die. Water it from above, this will help the tree get the oxygen it needs in the roots. Also do not feed/fertilize it until it gets better.
Please put the tree outside in a nice little shady location where it will get morning to early noon sun but then its in the shade.

steve

As said, yes it is an ouside tree. I wouldn't put it in direct sun until you start seeing new growth. Keep moist at all times and don't feed it until it is growing robustly. Keep us updated and come back with any other questions.

Dominie · White Belt Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Florida

SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE AGREES MY JUNIPER IS AN OUTSIDE TREE. IT HAS BEEN INSIDE EVER SINCE I GOT IT IN JANUARY. WHEN THE HEAT WAS ON, THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 70 DEGREES. NOW IN THE SUMMER, THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE IS 76 DEGREES (AIR CONDITIONED). IF I PUT THE TREE OUTSIDE NOW, IT IS IN THE UPPER 80'S TO LOW 90'S EVEN IN THE SHADE HERE IN FLORIDA. CAN MY TREE WITHSTAND THE SHOCK OF THIS WILTING HEAT (EVEN IN THE SHADE)???? WHAT ABOUT IN THE WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE ARE BELOW FREEZING? WHEN I RECEIVED THE TREE, IT HAD A LETTER WITH IT CALLING IT AN 8 YR. OLD JUNIPER "NANA" - WHAT IS A "NANA"??? THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH THIS NEWBIE.

Stymie

Dominie, your tree seems to be what is called Juniperus Procumbens Nana, which is a small needled, slow growing Juniper. It is definately an outside all year variety. Junipers have two main growth periods each year. The first is almost over and there will be another burst of activity in late Summer. The thing to do is to get it outside in a position which affords shelter from direct sun in the middle of the day. Keep the compost just moist at all times. The best time for applying the water would be evening after the sun has left it and this should be a daily necessity in your climate. Don't apply any fertilizer at the moment but use a balanced one at half recommended strength at fortnightly intervals next time that obvious growth is taking place. One watering with the addition of a level teaspoonful of Epsom Salts may help the colour to return. This is not a fertilizer, merely a source of mineral which may be deficient and will not do any harm. Good luck.
BTW, no offence, but capitals denote shouting.

zzt6688

Dominie,
I live in El Paso, TX. It is about 95 degrees here and getting hotter as summer comes forth. My junipers are outside all day everyday. They are watered almost daily, and misted daily. They are offered sun protection in the afternoon until evening when it is the hottest sun.

Dominie · White Belt Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Florida

I put the juniper outside today in the shade and will water daily. Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. Sorry for the capitals (did not mean to shout...)

Stymie

Good Dominie, you're doing well. Let us know how it progresses on this thread. Thanks for not taking offence, when you get to know me, you'll know that I say some funny things but you're supposed to laugh. Laughing