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Juniperus Chinesis~New!

  • Leslie
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Juniperus Chinesis~New! was created by Leslie

Posted 12 years 3 months ago #3144
Hi Gang! Happy New Year! :cheer:

It seems I am distined to own a Juniperus Chinesis bonsai...and, an outdoor tree! I received this small pre-bonsai for Christmas and, because I am an indoor grower, I am going to need a little help with this one. I have researched this Juniper on several different sites including Wikipedia and I'm quite sure it's the Chinese Juniper however, with so many varieties of this species, how do I know which one mine is?

This little Juniper is only 4 inches (11cm) tall from the soil to the apex. The trunk is quite straight and evenly sized from it's base up to where it splits into two primary branches. These two primary branches have many secondary and teriary branches that gives the tree it's bushy appearance.

As for the soil, the first thing I did was remove the glued-on stone surface layer. I tried to dig down to find a nebari however, at 1/4 inch (6-7mm) down I found some very fine, red roots so I didn't think I should disturb them. You will notice in one of my photos that there is part of a (root bag?) sticking up from the soil surface. After gently removing the tree from it's pot to inspect the roots, I found that most of the roots are still contained within this bag with some fine, feeder roots poking thru the bag by about 1/4 inch (6-7mm). This bag sits on the inside bottom of the pot. The surrounding soil is quite humous (like a store-bought potting soil for houseplants) with a few pieces of bark thrown in. This soil was fairly tightly packed in a couple of places.

My questions are:
1. Does anyone know the variety of Juniperus Chinesis my tree is?
2. It is now winter in Ontario, Canada with freezing temps, snow and ice therefore, because this little tree has not had a chance to go into full dormancy, I can't put it outside, right? Can it survive indoors until the Spring?
3. Should I leave the tree in it's present soil (with the root bag intact) until Spring?

Here are photos of the tree, branch structure, soil and root bag. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks! :)


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by Leslie

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  • Pinkham
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Replied by Pinkham on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 3 months ago #3366
Hey Leslie,
What have you done with this tree? It needs to go in to a sunny cool room away from any heat source or draft. I read somewhere that you can induce dormancy if the tree is put in a room under 60 degrees. obviously don't put it outside. make sure not to over water it and you should be good until spring.
Good luck.
Lance
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  • Leslie
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Replied by Leslie on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 3 months ago #3385
Hi Lance! Thanks for you reply and helpful suggestions! :) I posted three new posts including this one 8 days ago and you are the first to reply to any of them. :pinch:

I have placed this tree on my livingroom windowsill where it is quite cool next to the glass and well away from any heat source; it gets lots of Southern exposure sunlight during the day. I only have a one bedroom apt. where the kitchen, dining and livingroom is one, long, open room. So it's not possible to have a room under 60 degrees. I let the soil almost completely dry out then gave it a thorough watering until it drained freely from the bottom of the pot then placed it back on it's tray filled with pebbles and a bit of water for humidity. According to what I've read, it says it's important to mist the needles often as they dry out easily...would you agree? :huh:

Thanks once again for offering your insights! :P
by Leslie

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  • Leslie
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Replied by Leslie on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 3 months ago #3386
Oh! I forgot to ask... Is it okay to leave this tree in it's present soil until Spring?
by Leslie

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  • Pinkham
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Replied by Pinkham on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 3 months ago #3387
I would agree. misting the leaves is a good idea.Just keep it as cool as you can until spring,keep misting the needles until spring. Then it can go outside.
Good luck.
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  • Leslie
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Replied by Leslie on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 3 months ago #3389

Pinkham wrote: I would agree. misting the leaves is a good idea.Just keep it as cool as you can until spring,keep misting the needles until spring. Then it can go outside.
Good luck.


Okee-Dokee! Thanks so much, Lance! :)
by Leslie

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  • aklister71
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Replied by aklister71 on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 3 months ago #3503
That is a pretty little tree Leslie. Ya'll just make me jealous because I can't move forward with my Bonsai plans. I will just have to enjoy sharing ya'll's experiences for the next 3 months ....

.... and then ..... and then

it will be springtime in Missouri !!
Last Edit:12 years 3 months ago by aklister71
Last edit: 12 years 3 months ago by aklister71.

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  • MWid
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Replied by MWid on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 1 week ago #4863
Hey leslie how is your tree doing? Havent seen you on the forum in a while.
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  • manofthetrees
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Replied by manofthetrees on topic Re: Juniperus Chinesis~New!

Posted 12 years 1 week ago #4864
yeah were the heck are you ... hope you are doing ok
by manofthetrees
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