First post: Sick Juniper

[timi99]

Hey Ausbonsai Community

Bonsai.jpg

This is my first post. I have been playing with this Juniper over the last few months. It used to be totally upright, so has taken a little while to get to where it is now.

It looks a bit sick at the moment, the foliage has gone really dull (in red circles). I thought I would post some pictures just in case it dies, and also to see if anyone has any suggestions about making this tree healthy again.

Looking forward to hearing comments.

Timi

[reddoggy]

Could be too wet, too dry, done too much to it at one time, I have found Juni`s to be a bit tricky,they seem to die quite a slow death for some particular reason, I would keep the seasol up to it,but not too wet.

[Andrew F]

Yer I'd let it dry out and fill out for awhile before doing anything usually procumbens and squamata are hardy [iv had trouble with shimpaku]

Do you pinch the new growth or prune it with scissors?

[timi99]

I have not pruned any new growth for a while.

But the last time I did I used scissors.

[Craig]

Welcome to the site mate, as all the red circles are after the bend , you may have damaged the trunk when bending it. Don't do any more bending yet and hopefully it can hold on and survive ,. They as already said ,can take a while to die , ..good luck

[Mojo Moyogi]

Welcome to the site mate, as all the red circles are after the bend , you may have damaged the trunk when bending it. Don't do any more bending yet and hopefully it can hold on and survive ,. They as already said ,can take a while to die , ..good luck

Timi I agree with Craig. Even the tips that havent been scissor pruned look dull. The grey-blue colour of the foliage that isn't quite right looks a lot like foliage would if the tree had been bent and re-adjusted a little too much, which can create small fissures in the cambium. Several years ago, I used to wire hundreds of squamatas and pro-nanas for a nursery, occasionally this would occur. Sometimes the branches get through the injury ok, sometimes they are lost. If it is a recent wiring and you you can de-wire without disturbance, then do so, if not leave the tree alone.

Misting the foliage regularly without drowning it could help. If it is an injury due to wiring, a good tip is in the future, let the soil dry out to barely damp before wiring, it makes the tree easier to bend with less risk. A semi shaded placement is not a bad idea either after aggressive wiring, until you see signs of growth again.

Hope it goes well.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Andrew Legg]

While you're at it, check for Reb Spider Mite. Hold a piece of white paper under each foliage pad and give the foliage a light flick with your finger. If you see tiny dots (about half the size of a printed fullstop (.)) moving about on the page, you have red spider mite. I use a product called Siezer 100 for them and it works well.

As the others have said, it could also be from the bending, in which case as others have said, keep misting the tree and don't let the roots stay too wet.

Good luck, and welcome!

[Craig]

. If it is a recent wiring and you you can de-wire without disturbance, then do so, if not leave the tree alone.

On that Mojo , i sometimes think better not to unwire so soon after ( i realise you said without disturbance) , if wire has been on for a few days / week then the cambium is just starting to re'adjust itself and unwiring can cause the wounds to flex back and cause double the original damage. something to be mindfull of always

[Mojo Moyogi]

Agree Craig. Sharp as a tack,these Western Australians . Slight brain fade from me there . It won't be the last one, I promise

Cheers,
Mojo

[Craig]

[Pup]

Just to add to what Craig and Mojo have said, plus was there any twisting of those branches?. I have found that Squamata seem to separate from the cambium when bent and a slight twist is all it takes. As has been said it is a long slow death, when this happens.

Having said that cross every thing you have, you might be lucky if not you have the start of a Bunjingi/ literati.

Cheers Pup

[timi99]

Thanks everyone.

Update: I have some new shoots. So all is not lost. Will post pics when it is better.

Timi

[Hackimoto]

With closer examination of the enlarged picture I think I can see small white dots between the leaves. Have a close look to see if this is scale.