I have, or had a 3 year old juniper. was very root bound in 6x5x2 in pot in nursery soil. I re-potted into a slightly larger oval same depth. Used a purchased soil, 40% akadama, 40% red and black lava, and 20% pine bark mulch. I left at least 75% of roots and maybe 20% of old soil. Tea spoon of Green Dream fertilizer mixed into soil. I watered well day one. Day two was dry in the evening, watered well again. Day three needles started to dry out. Watered again, it was dry. Now almost all needles are brittle. Is it dead or can a juniper loose it's needles and recover. i have re-potted other types many times with no problem. What have i done. Thanks. Mike

Muckle wrote:

Is it dead or can a juniper loose it's needles and recover.

It is dead (but you did not include a picture so I cannot be sure; if all needles are brittle, it is dead).

a 3 yo juniper shouldn't be in a bonsai pot and roots should not be pruned. Also, it shouldn't be indoors.

thanks Auk. maybe its older than i thought. was in the bonsai pot when i bought it. i live in Alberta ,Canada. we get 4 months of very cold winter, down to -30 C. almost all bonsai is kept indoors. Mike