Re: New at the game

Hi Karyl,

I was hoping one of our members from the UK would jump in here, but it's
been days and I see nothing.  So . . .

Getting the rocks off you new Procumbens Nana is a good thing.  Back fill
the space with whatever you have at hand.  Water from the top, until the
water exits the drain holes.  Allow the juniper to dry almost completely
between waterings.  You can use a chop stick to test the plant, insert it
between the trunk and the rim of the pot.  Test it daily by pulling it out
and touching the dirty end.  If the dirty end is wet, do not water.  If it
is barely moist, to dry, it's time for water.  You should probably wait
until spring to re-pot the tree.

Now the difficult part.  How do the needles look now?  Where are you keeping
it - inside or outside?  These questions are important because sadly, many
trees sold this way to unsuspecting people are dead when they are purchased,
or very nearly dead.  Here, we call them malsai.

There is a class at the IBC site designed for junipers and the beginners
that have them.  You can find the site at the address below.
http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/

Wiring the tree is a technique used to shape and place branches, and often a
tree must be held in place in it's pot, so wire is used for that too.

Good luck with your new tree, and if you have any more questions please let
us know, we'll try to answer a bit faster.

Regards,
Shelly Hurd Central CA - Sunset Zone 8-USDA Zone 9
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

"kaytay" wrote:

> I just recently bought a Juniper Procrumben Nana. It's a cute little
> plant and looks as if it has some potential to be a great bonsai. I
> bought it at the mall at this chinese shop. It came in a pot that had
> rocks glued on the top of the soil....I was told to remove the rocks
> cuz the glue would poison my poor bonsai, so I did.

>>SMALL SNIP

> Oh i hear about "wiring" the bonsai? or the soil? whats that ( i probably
sound
> soo stupid ) well any advice would be greatly appriciated......thanks
> in advance.
> Karyl