Bonsai Plant Care – How to Care for Blue Junipers Bonsai Trees

Junipers and pines are some of the most common species for beginners that are interested in going into bonsai artistry. You can find this beautiful species tolerates a range of climates and environments with success.

Junipers are great with the kengai or cascade style where the branches and the trunk of the tree grow out over the pot and go below the overall horizontal surface. This tree species enjoys full sun and can tolerate moderately dry soil, although the soil should never be allowed to fully dry out. You can have plenty of water so long as there is great drainage to the pot.

You will want to feed your juniper trees every month or so from early spring to fall. You will want to find the right fertilizers, although finding the right organic fertilizer will take experimentation and personal preference. You can find a number of suggestions that are based in strong botanical science.

Find a range of man-made fertilizers, but remember that these chemicals can be harsh for your plant and should be handled with care. You will always want to make sure you put the right proportions on the soil. If you have a half-strength 20-20-20 NPK of fertilizer, this is a common thing to do. Avoid adding fertilizer during the hot months and a few months after repotting.

When you re-pot your plant, this is a good time to trim your roots, but be sure to gradually reduce your roots. You can cut off 1/3 at most at the time. If your tree is younger than 10 years old, you will need to re-pot your tree every two years. If your tree is older than 10 years, you can wait to every three or four years.

You will need a mixture of soil that is 60% soil, 30% coarse sand and 10% peat. There are a number of varieties and mixtures that you can enjoy. Look for another alternative in your soil, including loam, leaf mold and sand in equal portions for soil nutrients.

While you re-pot, you can prune your unwanted branches and do any wiring that you will need. Wiring is best done in late autumn after the major growing season in spring and summer have tapered off. Make sure you have carefully watched your tree so that you prevent any scarring.

Pinching is a great way to remove any new shoots that appear during the growing season. You can take the new growth and twist it between your thumb and forefinger without damaging the tree or branch. You can do this to control new growth and mold your tree to your preferences.

Red spider mites are a frequent pest of the blue juniper tree. If you see yellow foliage, you should look under the leaves for small spots. Put a white piece of paper beneath the leaves and tap the branches to shake out any red spider mites that might be there. If they are there, a nicotine solution will work or a commercial solution that you can find.

         

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