Growing a Juniper Bonsai Tree

!±8± Growing a Juniper Bonsai Tree

There are many different types and styles of trees to select from when growing a Bonsai tree. One of the most popular trees chosen is the Juniper. There are several reason for the tree popularity. It can be grown both indoors and outside and as the tree grows it produces low growth, which is ideal for the Bonsai. The Juniper Bonsai will also stay green throughout the year.

When selecting a Juniper Bonsai it is best to select one from a certified nursery. When you bring the tree into your home or garden, remember that the tree will need at a minimum of 4 hours per day of direct sunlight. So choosing a correct location of the tree is paramount to its thriving.

It is also recommended that you place the Juniper in a humidity tray. A humidity tray is simply a shallow tray that your potted bonsai is placed in. The bottom of the tray is filled with a small amount of water and stones. Your potted bonsai is placed on the stones. When using a humidity tray, do not let the water contact the bottom of the bonsai pot, this will cause the water to wick up into the pot. The result will be root rot, which is disastrous to the tree.

Most Juniper bonsai will thrive outside in gardening zones 5 and higher. Colder regions ( zone 4 and lower) are not recommended for the Juniper Bonsai. You should plan on repotting your Juniper Bonsai after the first 2-3 years of growth. When repotting, the root ball of the tree is pruned with sharp scissors. You should remove material from the sides and bottom of the root ball until the root ball is 1/2" or 12 mm in size. After repotting, place the Juniper Bonsai in the shade for the next 4 weeks, after that return it to the sun and begin feeding with liquid plant food.

Pruning is best done in either spring or summer. When there is about 1" or 25 mm of growth, pinch back about half of the growth. Pinching is recommended over actual cutting back of the growth. Continue pinching back the Juniper Bonsai until early fall or mid September.

The Bonsai juniper comes in many different species, including the Green Mound Chinese Juniper or the Shimpaku Chinese Juniper trees. No matter which variety of Juniper Bonsai you select, it will grow into a magnificent specimen that you will enjoy for many years.