Question
I bought a bonsai for my fiance and I think he fertilized it during winter.  He was trying hard to love and nurture it...But it dried out from it. I changed the soil to try to revive it, but it has been 3 months and it still looks brownish.  It is a Juniper and is about 10 yrs old, and I would love to keep it.  What can I do?  

Answer
Hi Maria:

Rule of thumb:  When a juniper turns brown and crunchy it is beyond human intervention.  Junipers are very resinous plants and as such they can be dead up to six months or longer before you may know it is gone. This is the sad truth about bonsai purchased from someone who is not a bonsai dealer. I wish I had better news for you, but I have seen this for years, and it is always with a juniper.  By the way, you were probably told you can grow this tree indoors, the first big major mistake, junipers will not do well indoors without EXPERT care.  I only know of one grower who can pull it off.

Vance Wood.