The Juniper is a very popular tree species used for Bonsai, for both beginners and experts.
Juniper Bonsai trees sold at large stores, including Walmart and Home Depot,
are often Japanese Garden Junipers, or Green Mound Junipers.
Other popular species are the Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) and the Japanese Shimpaku.
The green foliage, reddish-brown bark and silvery white deadwood is very appealing.
So how do you care for your Juniper bonsai?
The Juniper is a coniferous tree species, which means it needs to be placed outdoors, year round.
It prefers a sunny position.
The Juniper is frost hardy but should be protected from
strong frosts of around 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or -10 degrees celsius.
Water the Juniper generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry.
Best is to water your bonsai, then wait a minute
and water it again, to make sure the entire root mass is watered.
Observe the tree closely and make sure it never dries out completely.
On the other hand, the Juniper does not like to be wet constantly,
so wait with watering until the soil gets slightly dry.
Daily misting will help raise the humidity around your Bonsai,
though for most outdoor trees this is not really important.
Misting a few days when the tree has been repotted is recommended.
Fertilize your Juniper once a month during the entire growth season,
from early spring till fall, using a solid and organic fertilizer.
Regular pruning is required to maintain the shape of your Juniper.
To develop the foliage pads, long shoots which stick out of the silhouette
can be cut at the base with sharp scissors throughout the growth season.
Bonsai are kept in small pots, and therefore we repot the trees every two years, in early spring.
If you see the roots circling around the root system, your Bonsai needs to be repotted.
If the roots are still contained within soil, leave it and check again the following spring.
You can propagate the Juniper using cuttings, seeds,
or buy them online as these are widely available at bonsai retailers.
If the foliage of your Juniper turns yellow,
this is often the result of not enough light or improper watering.
Again, make sure you place your Bonsai outside with enough sunlight.
And water it generously as soon as the soil gets slightly dry.
Learn how to create your own Bonsai trees, by enrolling in one of our online Bonsai courses.
We explain techniques like pruning wiring and repotting,
and you can ask questions to the teachers.
For the curriculums and free lessons, go to: bonsaiempire.com/courses