My bonsai tree is dying. What can I do to bring it back?

Question

I've had this bonsai tree (some sort of pine tree) for quite some time --maybe 8+ years. All of a sudden is drying up and looks like it is definitely dying. What can I do? How can I bring it back or at least do something to try and bring it back? It does not seem like it has parasites or anything of that nature, but definitely drying up. Oh, and I don't think I have changed the watering schedule and I've also tried moving it around the house. Help please.

Answer 1

Oh, dear. First, juniper is an outdoor plant so it needs to be in that environment. Please refer to this site for care instructions.

http://www.american-bonsai.com

Answer 2

A bonsai pine really needs to live outdoors most of the time. You might have to give it some shade outdoors, depending on your climate.

Growing in a pot, your pine is going to gradually exhaust the nutrients in the soil. If it's in a traditional shallow dish then you will know of the importance of watering sufficiently.

For the moment give it a feed with a wide spectrum fertilizer containing some micro-nutrients, something like a seaweed product, but do check the soil isn't water-logged before you start. That will kill a plant as effectively as not giving it enough.

If it shows some sign of recovery then you can  repot it by taking it out and pruning away some of the soil and roots so there is some fresh material for the plant to root through. Alternatively you can put it in a bigger pot. Have a look at the roots anyway to see if they look OK.

Answer 3

First off, it needs to be outside, all the time. Junipers will not survive indoors.

The problem with junipers is that they usually don't show signs of dying until long after the damage has been done. You still may have a chance though. I would move the plant to a protected and mostly shady but bright area. Then prune off all of the obviously dead foliage so you can keep an eye on the trunk and branches. Water only as needed, when the soil is almost completely dry. Water from the top, with a regular hose or watering can, not by dunking the pot in a tub of water. If you see signs of re-growth - tiny green buds along the branches - only then give it a VERY weak balanced liquid fertilizer. Do not fertilize a stressed tree unless it is showing signs of recovery. It may take a few weeks for the new buds to show.