The blue juniper tree in addition to the pine is a common species that's sough after by bonsai enthusiasts. It's for good reason: it is a species that's beautiful and will tolerate a variety of situations.
These junipers are an ideal species for the Kengai (cascade) type in which the branches and trunk grown across the horizontal surface and out over the pot.
Junipers benefit from full sun and able to tolerate dry soil (moderate) conditions. However, the soil should not be entirely dry. A plentiful amount of water is acceptable, although adequate water drainage is necessary.
Feeding the plants ought to be done every 3 to 4 weeks starting in early spring. A man-made fertilizer can often be harsh, so needs to be used with care to accommodate the ideal proportions. Half strength of 20-20-20 NPK is ideal.
Re-potting is the ideal time to trim roots if necessary, although a gradual cut is preferred – 1/3 off is more than adequate. A tree under ten years should be re-potted every other year, and for those older than ten years, re-pot every 3 to 4 years.
A common soil mixture is 30% coarse sand, 10% peat, and 60% soil, although there are a variety of material proportions and mixes. Sand, leaf mold, and loam in equal quantities are a feasible choice.
Pruning those unwanted branches can also take place when re-potting. The preferred time for wiring is late autumn, once the growing season has started to taper off. If acted on during growing season the results can be quicker, although it will be necessary to avoid the possibility of scarring.
A lot of bonsai enthusiasts use pinching to eliminate a new shoot that occurs in the growing season. This is a process of taking a new growth between forefinger and thumb and giving a sharp twist. Care is needed to ensure that a branch isn't moved or bent in the process. This can be done throughout the season as a way to control the development of new foliage.
A common pest for this species of Bonsai is red spider mites. This can be noticed as the foliage will turn yellow, and also look beneath the branches for any signs of small spots. If some are believed to be detected, shake a branch to see if this dislodges them.
Use an insecticide solution to tackle this problem. Once the insecticide has been allowed to operate for 24 hours, give the foliage a spray of water on a daily basis throughout the growing season – allow to dry in early sunlight.
The blue juniper tree needs to avoid full light in the first few weeks after re-potting.
Birdhouses
