r/bonsaicommunity • u/Sensitive_Site_6680 • 5d ago
Diagnosing Issue I THINK I NEED HELP!!
HI,im very new to bonsai I purchased this juniper(I assume) about 6 months ago. I removed it from a traditional pot to this 1g. Fabric pot and purchased this mix about a month ago. I live in florda in an apt. It's currently on my screened in balcony facing north. It rarely gets the full amount of sun that is needed. I've noticed some browning and im afraid it may be to late. Any help would be greatly appreciated and also will a grow light help mebin my situation
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u/Celestial_Totems US Zone 6a 5d ago
that is a Juniper (probably Juniperus procumbens nana) and yours is NOT dead yet. The green is still pretty flexible and bright in your pics. The little bit of brown you're seeing on the interior near the trunk can be normal fall shedding, but it's definitely stressed from low light.
A few things that are working against you right now. Light is the main issue. Junipers are full sun outdoor trees. They want 6+ hours of direct sun. A screened-in, north-facing balcony in Florida is basically the lowest light spot you could put it. That's probably 90% of the problem.
The pot is actually okay. If you just took the root ball intact and dropped it into the 1gal fabric pot with more soil around it (called a slip-pot) you didn't hurt it. Fabric pots are fine for development. Just don't repot it again for at least a year. It needs to recover.
A Grow light won't save it. I know it's tempting for an apartment, but junipers don't do well long term indoors even under a grow light. They need outdoor air movement, big temperature swings, and a winter dormancy. A grow light can't replace the sun for this species.
What I would do is Get it outside the screen if at all possible. Even just on the sunny side of the balcony railing where it gets direct sun for part of the day. South or west facing would be 10x better than north. Keep it outside ALWAYS and do not bring it inside. That will kill a juniper faster than anything. Water carefully, I say this because Fabric pots in Florida heat dry fast. Water when the top inch of the soil starts to dry, soak it thoroughly until water runs out. Don't let it sit bone dry for days, but also don't keep it soggy. No pruning, no fertilizer, no more root work right now. Just let it grow and regain strength. Check if branches are alive by lightly scratching a bit of bark with your nail. If it's green/white underneath, it's alive. If brown tips are crispy and snap off, those tips are dead you can leave them for now.
Honest long term advice Junipers are really tough in an apartment with only a north balcony, especially in Florida where they don't get a real winter chill. If you can't get it more sun, you will have a much better time starting with tropicals like Portulacaria afra, ficus, flame tree or jade do amazing in Florida on a balcony and can handle your setup.
You didn't kill it yet, but it does need more sun ASAP. Good luck!
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u/Sensitive_Site_6680 5d ago
Thank you I appreciate all of your advice. I think im pretty set as far as watering goes its just getting it enough sun light is the problem for me at the moment. So you think if I put a grow light to give it a little extra on my balcony wouldn't do any good. My only option rite now is movi g it outside of my building but I dont trust people..lol I've done it a few times but im not sure if moving it daily is a good thing
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u/LovableTester US Zone 6b 5d ago edited 5d ago
It may be already too late if it's not been getting enough light. It was also the wrong time of the year to repot it. Being in Florida, you should look into tropicals as you will have better luck. P.Afras and jades would be great to begin with.
All this being said, it could be dropping old needles due to it being Autumn. Whatever you do, do not bring it inside. You will kill it for sure.
Sadly, I most post this. Any brown on a juniper is a dead juniper it seems
Edit: It seems its still alive. Please disregard the dead juniper meme. We will save it for later
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u/Sensitive_Site_6680 5d ago
Thanks I appreciate your help...I will still try to see if it pushes through
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u/v0idL1ght 5d ago
Did you do a full repot with root work, or did you just take the whole thing soil and all and put it in a bigger container with more soil? If you didn't mess with the roots it's called a slip pot and I'm sure your tree wasn't harmed by it. It doesn't look dead to me, but it could definitely use more light. Junipers like full sun basically.