Hello-I am new to this and bought my first Bonsai tree at an art show in early August. Been contemplating getting one for some time and fell in love with it at first sight.
When I got it it was green and lush with what appeared to be new fresh growth.
I have it placed in a south facing window and open windows in the room at least 3 hours per day which was the recommendation of the seller. I have been misting it every other day and watering it on alternate days, pretty much soaking the soil. The pot it is in drains pretty freely and I put rags underneath to catch the drippings. The seller also gave me some food and said to feed it 1/4 of it every 3 months. I have not yet done so because of the timeline and the fact that I didn't want to overfeed it.
It appears to be turning brown and I am very concerned. Please see the attachments.
Any advice on how better to care for it and hopefully save it would be very, very much appreciated.
The seller said it is like 21 years old and I don't want to lose it.
I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time to learn how to nurse it back and need to take immediate action. Thank you! Tom/Bonsairookie05

Pictures seems to be missing.

Sorry, I must not have inserted the pictures.

Please see attached. Thank you!

This species cannot survive indoors. If it's indoor since august, lets say 2 months? Then it might already be death, as the discolering starts about a month after death.
Only thing you can do now, is put it outside. For now out of the wind, but in a spot with some good morning sun. And hope for the best. And do not repot, and do not fertilize until spring and you see good growth.

Thank you for the input and insight.

So, I guess it is not over or under watering.

My question is down to what temperature can this species tolerate? I live in Minnesota so assume it would not survive the freezing winter.

What a shame. A beautiful 21 year old tree not suited to my climate. I discussed this with the guy who sold it to me. He sold it here (though he was not local) and knew about our winters and said I just had to open a window for about 3 hours each day so it could breathe.

So, do you have any idea what I could do with it in the winter, like a garage or something?

Also, while it is outside will rabbits or squirrels go after it? I can find a spot during the months it will tolerate but don't want it eaten. I really hope to save it. Quite attached.

Finally, what species will survive inside, if any?

Thank you again!

Who told you junipers cannot survive minesota winters? That is totally wrong information. Bring it outdoors now and keep it there. There is still a slight chanse that a few branches durvive and you can start growing a new structure out of it.

bonsairookie05 wrote:

So, do you have any idea what I could do with it in the winter, like a garage or something?

In winter place it in a spot out of the wind, against your house. When having a lot of snow, put it around the tree, so snow will isolate it, keeping it save.
Lots of plants are coverd with snow for months, before they see daylight again.

Ficusses are the more easy plants for indoor. For example: Ficus tigerbark, it has a nice bark texure and does not mind if it is dry for a few days or wet. When dry it drops some yellow leaves. For good health, it's still adviced to keep it outdoors during the summer, so it can get enough energy stored, so it will still look nice during the longer/darker winter months.

This; Also, while it is outside will rabbits or squirrels go after it?
Someone else have to answer that, as i live in the city with no wildlife around, so i have no experience.