The magnificent and lovely Juniper bonsai tree is one of the most well-known bonsai trees. There are numerous nations worldwide where this bonsai species can be found. Here are some facts and tips when growing Juniper bonsai trees:
- There are more than 50 different types of juniper bonsai trees. The Chinese Juniper and Needle Juniper bonsai trees are two of the most well-liked types of juniper trees.
- They are among the species of bonsai that require the least amount of maintenance, making them a great option for beginners.
- If given the proper quantity of light, water, temperature, and humidity, juniper bonsai trees can be grown indoors or outdoors and can endure in any environment.
- Grow your juniper bonsai tree in a spot with access to more than 4 hours of daily sunlight and in a soil that has a tendency to dry up. The Juniper bonsai tree doesn’t mind drying out in between waterings, in contrast to a huge number of other bonsai tree species. They are more drought and dry soil resistant than other bonsai kinds.
- Your juniper bonsai tree may wither and eventually die if there is insufficient humidity. A humidity tray is frequently placed directly beneath potted Juniper bonsai trees by many bonsai enthusiasts. This is done to guarantee a high degree of humidity. The pot shouldn’t, however, be placed directly in the water because the roots will rot if they are.
Important Role of Humidity
The growth cycle of all types of bonsai trees is significantly influenced by humidity. To ensure a high level of humidity, many bonsai growers place a humidity tester directly beneath the potted Juniper bonsai tree.
The container shouldn’t, however, be submerged in water for an extended period of time as this could damage the roots. The juniper bonsai tree will end up wilted and perish if the humidity isn’t just right.
It is advised to place your bonsai in a shallow tray that is filled with gravel and some water during the colder months if it is inside. When the water evaporates, this would add additional moisture to the area around the tree, reducing the amount of moisture lost as a result of contemporary heating systems.
Important Role of Sunlight
Because the juniper bonsai is a miniature duplicate of the real tree and not a houseplant, it needs to be kept cool or cold during the winter.
Your juniper bonsai tree must be grown in a location where it will receive more than 4 hours of direct sunlight each day and in soil that is prone to drying out.
The tree must be placed outside, all year round, in a location with plenty of direct sunshine. Juniper plants should not be kept indoors.
If the temperature falls below -10 degrees C, or 14 degrees F, you must protect the tree throughout the winter. Purplish brown becomes the wintertime foliage color for some Juniper species; this is related to their frost protection mechanism. They return to being green in the spring.
The Juniper bonsai tree can be kept indoors without issue because growers prefer to keep their plants outdoors, where they can adapt quickly.
Although the juniper bonsai tree can tolerate full sun exposure, it is nevertheless advised to place it where it will be exposed to afternoon shadow. Make sure your bonsai juniper tree is situated where it can still receive sunlight and enough air if you plan to keep it indoors.
Why Grow Juniper Bonsai
Because it can withstand sunshine and is adaptable, juniper bonsai plants are sometimes regarded as the easiest of all bonsai trees to grow and manage. They are distinguished from other bonsai trees, which are classified as either indoor or outdoor plants, by being so simple to grow.
You have two options for raising the juniper bonsai tree: either inside or outside, depending on what you like. However, it’s thought that juniper bonsai prefer to grow outside.
Some growers put them in containers, which can limit their capacity for growth. When it comes to the dirt, they are not particularly picky either.
Another good reason to start producing juniper bonsai trees is that they can become neglected if left unattended. The truth about your Juniper bonsai tree can actually die if it is over-fertilized or even over-watered, despite the fact that this may sound fairly strange.
The Juniper bonsai tree, like the majority of other bonsai trees, hibernates throughout the winter, thus they occasionally do not require frequent fertilizer feedings or waterings.
All bonsai tree aficionados, from rookie growers all the way up to the specialists or experienced professionals, favor the juniper bonsai tree as their favorite.
Is the bonsai juniper tree indoors or outdoors?
A juniper bonsai tree should spend the majority of its life outside, if not always. It is an outdoor plant, therefore keeping it indoors for more than a few days at a time will cause it to die. When exposed to undesirable circumstances, a juniper bonsai will perish. At least five hours of sunlight each day are required for the plant. Juniper bonsai trees should always be outside, even while they’re dormant. The tree should be kept in an unheated space, such as a shed, garage, or spare room with an open window, if that is not an option. A juniper tree is still a fantastic option if you’re selecting your first bonsai tree.
Can you keep junipers inside?
These bonsai can withstand novice mistakes and unintentional periods of neglect far better than other species, but you still need to be aware of the fundamental maintenance requirements for your tree. While these recommendations will put you on the correct path, keep in mind that every tree is unique. Keep a close eye on your tree, get to know it, and modify your care as necessary.
Position
Bonsai junipers want to be outside in a sunny area. Put them in a spot with some afternoon shade and at least four hours of sunlight per day. While they’ll be content outdoors year-round in most places, if temps often drop below 15oF, you’ll want to mulch, cover, or move it indoors (-10oC).
Warning: While juniper bonsai retain their foliage all year long, certain species’ needles become purple-brown as a frost-protection mechanism. Not to worry! Not dying is your tree. Once the temperature rises, the green hues will reappear.
Can Juniper Bonsai Grow Indoors?
The majority of bonsai species thrive best outside. (After all, they are trees!) However, juniper bonsai trees can endure growing indoors if they are maintained in the proper conditions. Your main issue will be to provide appropriate levels of light, temperature, and humidity.
Watering
Juniper bonsai are among the few varieties that don’t mind skipping a bath, which is one of the reasons they can tolerate a little neglect. In actuality, they are more susceptible to excessive moisture than little thirst. Plant your tree in well-draining soil, thoroughly moisten it during bath time, and let the soil completely dry out in between waterings. (PSA: Don’t go overboard; your tree will still suffer from prolonged dryness.)
Watering Pro Tips
- Waterlogged junipers are vulnerable to root rot, so make sure the extra water drains from the pot after watering.
- It is possible to provide more humidity for juniper bonsai by spraying the leaves every few days or setting the pot on a humidity tray. (This is especially helpful with an indoor tree or after repotting.)
- Water your plants twice daily in the morning and evening in the summer because the intense light can scorch the leaves if you water them then.
- Never water when it is below freezing in the winter; just once or twice a week is sufficient.
- Need assistance? When to water can be determined with the use of soil moisture meters.
Feeding
You should feed your tree once a month during the growing season if you’re using solid fertilizer and once a week if you’re using a conventional liquid solution. However, we advise using a urea-free liquid fertilizer each time you water in order to provide your tree with a moderate, regular dose of nutrients.
Feeding Pro Tips
- Although juniper bonsai trees do not require fertilization in the winter, remember to water them!
- To assist your tree get pumped up for new growth at the beginning of the growing season, use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Pruning & Trimming
When your bonsai is growing, from early spring until late summer, prune it. Pinch back new shoots when they reach a length of around an inch to maintain the height of your tree. To thin out the foliage, completely remove the needles as opposed to pruning the tree’s entire canopy (that is, giving the needle tips a haircut).
Wiring
Wiring is a great way for growers to create interesting shapes and angles on juniper bonsai trees. Junipers can be vigorously bent and taught (especially when they are young and flexible), but be careful around deadwood because it can easily split. Juvenile branches should always be taped or wrapped with raffia thread for added protection when bent to form new growth.
Repotting
Juniper bonsai trees should be repotted every two years once they reach the age of five. (Take note: These trees don’t need severe root cutting.) You can repot the tree less frequently as it gets older and begins to grow more slowly. Our bonsai tree repotting tutorial will show you how to properly perform your task and determine when it’s time to repot.
An indoor juniper bonsai tree requires special care.
You should never let your bonsai plant dry out completely and should always water it frequently. Water the plant by setting it in a pan with one to two inches of water, and letting it soak for about an hour, or until the soil appears and feels moist. Never use water that has undergone water softener treatment. The soil will turn a deep dark brown after watering. When the soil needs watering, it will become lighter in color as it dries out and feel dry to the touch.
Submerge the entire pot in water to thoroughly water and wash away salts if the tree becomes too dry or if an excessive amount of salts accumulate on the soil surface. After watering, you can immediately seal the pot in a plastic bag if you won’t be able to water it for a few days. For at least a week, the soil will remain moist in the bag, which serves as a greenhouse.
Do juniper bonsai grow outdoors?
Since they can’t thrive indoors, juniper bonsai trees should be grown outside year-round. They are resilient trees that may survive without protection in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can a bonsai tree be kept inside?
It’s a frequent misperception that bonsai trees need to be kept inside. The majority of bonsai should be placed outside, where they will experience all four of the seasons as naturally as other trees do. Only plants native to the tropics and subtropics can thrive inside, where temperatures are high and consistent all year round.
Which bonsai tree thrives indoors the best?
Only two bonsai tree categories—those with tropical or subtropical varieties—are appropriate for an indoor home. We’ve collected a list of the bonsai tree varieties that thrive indoors with the proper care and conditions to aid you.
Ficus Bonsai
This bonsai tree is at the top of the list because it is unquestionably the greatest indoor bonsai tree for novices. The ficus, or fig plant, is a hardy and versatile evergreen plant that can take low humidity and less light than most. Most indoor bonsai require high humidity and lots of light.
The most popular ficus kinds, the Ficus Benjamina and Ficus Retusa, are among the numerous available, and these lovely trees can produce fruit in a variety of hues. Some have the ability to bloom. Ficus trees will provide a splash of color to your home with their bright green leaves and pointy tips.
Carmona Bonsai
The Carmona, or Fukien Tea, bonsai is well-liked not just for its ability to flourish inside, but also for its red fruit and year-round blooming of tiny white flowers. Although this plant thrives in bright indoor environments, it is also advised that you give it some time outside in the spring and summer.
Schefflera Bonsai
Schefflera, often called the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, has thin stems and canopy development (hence its name). Similar to the ficus, these plants thrive in low light and low humidity, but if you’re looking for a plant you can shape and train, bear in mind that schefflera don’t respond well to wire.
Chinese Elm Bonsai
The Chinese elm is generally what comes to mind when you think of a traditional bonsai tree. They grow quickly, can be pruned and shaped to your preferences, and are a great interior tree for beginners. Plus, it doesn’t hurt as much as it would with other varieties if you go over or under water.
Crassula (Jade) Bonsai
This shrub-like bonsai tree is well suited for growing indoors due to its thick trunk and leaves, sensitivity to cold, and shrub-like appearance. Don’t overwater jade bonsai trees because they store a lot of water in their leaves, and make sure the container your tree is in has good drainage.
Serissa Japonica (Snow Rose) Bonsai
The Serissa Japonica bonsai is renowned for its exquisite little white blooms that bud in the spring and summer. Last but not least (seriously, we could go on forever), The “tree of a thousand stars,” often known as “the tree,” was added last because it requires more maintenance than the other five options. It is susceptible to variations in location, temperature, light, and water levels. Depending on your local climate, it can grow both inside and outside.
Can I bring my bonsai from outside inside?
Both deciduous trees like maples and elms as well as evergreen species like pines and junipers are used in outdoor bonsai. All outdoor bonsai require seasonal change and are hardy. It is preferable to let your bonsai adjust in a shaded area for a week after receiving it. The morning sun and afternoon shade are preferred by any outdoor bonsai. During the growing season, bonsai look fantastic displayed on balconies, patios, and decks. Indoor displays of outdoor bonsai are possible, but only briefly. Your bonsai should never be kept indoors for longer than five days.
WATERING PROPERLY
A healthy bonsai requires proper watering to stay alive. Outdoor bonsai receive seasonal watering. Spring, summer, and fall require daily watering of outdoor bonsai. You won’t need to water as regularly in the winter. The soil of your bonsai should never dry up, though. Use a watering can or hose attachment with a fine-spray nozzle to adequately water your bonsai. You should give the dirt in your bonsai a good soak. The drain holes ought to be dripping water. Although misting plants on occasion is advised, this is not the same as watering. The general upkeep of a stunning bonsai is also crucial. Regular trimming is necessary to maintain the small shape of bonsai. We advise buying a reference book to better understand trimming and wiring methods.
REPOTTING
Every four to five years, you will need to repot your bonsai. Your bonsai has to be repotted when its root system becomes pot-bound. Outdoor bonsai should be repotted prior to the onset of new growth in the late winter or early spring. When repotting, be sure to use appropriate bonsai soil because standard potting soil will clump and prevent proper drainage. Before repotting your bonsai, we advise waiting at least one growth season to make sure it is established.
FERTILIZING
Bonsai need to be fertilized. When applied as instructed, the majority of water-soluble and time-released fertilizers perform admirably. For older specimen bonsai, we advise utilizing slow-releasing organic fertilizers.
INSECTS & DISEASES
Just like any other plant, bonsai can be attacked by insects and pathogens. Examine your bonsai frequently. Your tree will stay clean if you give the trunk and foliage a little spritz every so often. Most garden centers have products available for treatment if any issues arise.
WINTER CARE
Outdoor bonsai should stay outside during the winter to experience winter dormancy. However, outdoor bonsai require protection from harsh winter weather for their root systems. When temperatures are about to drop below freezing, you should “Heel-In” your bonsai by covering the pot and soil with pine needles or mulch. Additionally, we advise positioning your bonsai against the south side of your home to shield it from bitter winds. Bonsai can be kept safe in garages, sheds, cold frames, or basements in locations with bitterly cold winters. For more information, speak with a nearby bonsai club.