Question
I bought a Bonsai tree about a month ago and 2 weeks ago the needles started turning dark green and falling off to the touch.  I watered it about 2 times a week.  It is in a little decorative dish about 6 inches long and 1 inch high. I change the soil and cut back some of the roots, but still no change. Did i do something wrong with. I sits on a filing cabinet and gets light but not direct sunlight.  

Answer
Hi Earl,

Bonsais are carefully grown and their roots are delicately pruned to keep the plant miniaturized. It is a very precise and delicate art. They are designed to stay in the same pot forever.

Unless you have expert knowledge with bonsai, it is not a good idea to change the soil. There is rarely a reason to do that. More importantly, it is traumatic to the delicate bonsai root system. I would be surprised if yours can survive the soil replacement and root pruning.

What caused the needles to dry up in the first place? Inadequate light and improper watering are the two likely causes. Junipers require some direct sun every day and they should be watered as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch.

Junipers also require cool-cold winter temperatures so they rarely survive indoors in a heated winter environment. Unless you have an unheated room in your house, I never recommend a Juniper as a houseplant.

Sorry I don't have better news for you. I hope you didn't pay too much for your bonsai.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.