Hello everyone,
My son gave me this bonsai for Mother's Day. I am planning on taking a beginner course, but in the meantime, would like some basic pointers so I don't kill it. 

Thanks!
Sarah

Perhaps share some photos?

WyoSarah wrote:

Hello everyone,
My son gave me this bonsai for Mother's Day. I am planning on taking a beginner course, but in the meantime, would like some basic pointers so I don't kill it. 

Thanks!
Sarah

1. Water it every day, or at least when the soil gets dry
2. Put it outside in the sun
3. Google Lens or some similar app to see what it is
4. Find basic care for it
5. Join a local bonsai group for more details

In some parts of the northern hemisphere it may be getting cold pretty soon. If it is a ficus or other tree that should be inside for the winter. Do 3 and 4 real soon.

   Wow, okay, I spent ten minutes trying to download photos on my first message. Guess they didn't go. Here's to trying again! 

I water it when it gets dry. I've only fed it once since Mother's Day. It seems like it's pretty happy in its east-facing window. I did have some die-off early on, but lately, really no dead needles. I think I was under-watering it. Do I really need to keep it outside? It's getting pretty chilly out there. It can get below zero in the winter here. 

Yes it is a Juniper but it will not be for long if you keep it inside. Get it out NOW and DO Not take it back in. If you get low temperatures -10C or lower then put it a shed or cold greenhouse but not in your house. 

I second Geoff. I would asume that it is a procumbens nana juniper. A tree that can be grown to really great bonsai in experienced hands. But most experienced bonsai artists look away. The growth point management can take 10s of hours on a small tree, but 100s on huge specimens. Everything needs to happen on the right time of the year and all decitions have to be accurate to the final vision. I have one that I spend 16+ hours on every year. It is fun to work on trees, but this species is just too much.

I REALLY appreciate the advice. I would imagine you all get tired of newbies flailing like I am...very little of this makes sense to me. I am not familiar with anything but an appreciation for form and beauty. What is decitation? Also, to be clear, when you mention -10, are you in Celsius or Fahrenheit?  I have a good spot for it outside, where I can keep an eye on it. But in the end, all I want at this point is not to kill the thing, as my son was so proud to have given it to me. I promise to begin taking courses. There is no local Bonsai club. I live in rural Wyoming. So, I have you guys and that's it.  

What about watering during the winter? The pot will freeze no doubt. But it's plastic. I'd been meaning to have a friend make wood-fired pot for it, but maybe this winter I leave it alone?

Oh woops! I see now it's in Celsius!  Apologies!

There is a bonsai store in Deadwood, SD, which is probably close to your climate. See if they will give you some advice on how to keep it healthy in the winter. You will probably want to do something to protect it from winter winds. If you get a lot of snow, maybe just put it on the ground and let the snow cover it.  

One concern I would have is mice eating the bark off. That is not a problem I have had to solve.