Water Wicking Young Chinese Juniper

Hello Everyone,

I am still fairly new to bonsai growing so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what I should do with what I believe is a young Chinese juniper, which is currently being fed on a water wick. I recently purchased this little guy, the soil stays pretty damp since it’s using the wick. I’m assuming that I should replant it in a pot with drainage and better draining soil so that this doesn’t happen. I’m also suggesting the replant because the little guys branches are a little brown on the underside. Leaves and petioles are fine but the branches are showing some stress I believe. Anyone else think that this is happening because of the water wick and constant moist soil? I Am also concerned because I don’t want to repot then it over stress and die since it is still fairly young, no more than 6 in tall. I will post picture when I get home later. Any suggestions out there?

Welcome.
It's difficult without a picture, but yes, the soil being always wet is a big concern, and branches getting brown... How much brown?
Please post a picture as soon as you can, so we can help.

Here are a few pictures of the little guy. Like I explained earlier he is still fairly young and the leaves and tips seem to be healthy as of now in my opinion, either way let me know what you think!!
Thanks

It's a sapling, looks very OK, and don't worry about the brown, it is natural.

Great ! That’s a relief. Would you then recommend potting now or in the future? I was also very curious and was wondering if it is too early to fertilize the sapling, it’s growing season here where I am in the southern part of the US so it’s very humid and hot right now perfect for them. Just not sure if the little one is too young to withstand fertilizer.

I fertilize all.my trees, be it young cuttings or old yamadori. So yes. Fertilize. I would wait with repotting till a cooler moist period, at least 4-8 weeks befor the first expected frost. Mid summer is often too dry for juniper repots.

excellent!! Thank you.

I just want to make sure that the constant moisture in the soil won’t affect the plant. Is there a way to notice if the over wet soil starts affecting the sapling? Should I maybe take the wick out and water manually when the soil drys instead of reporting for now?