Received a Bonsai...now what do I do

[Argos5]

I received a Bonsai for Father's Day...haven't killed it yet  .
Seems easy to care for...all you have to do is
(1) Don't give it too much water;
(2) Don't give it too little water;
(3) Don't give it too much sun;
(4) Don't give it too little sun;
(5) Don't over-prune;
(6) Don't under-prune, etc., etc.




Anyone have luck with Bonsai?

[Derrick]

Very cool gift!

I'm sure I would kill it in under 3 days though! I have no idea how to care for them unfortunately..

Derrick

[Sunbeam56]

Junipers are pretty tough trees. So you have a good species to start with.
And this one has had more care than the usual - the trimming and wiring is very well done.

The people who have successful bonsai have the time to baby the plants. Usually they are in partial shade - not direct sun. Usually they have some sort of drip irrigation or mist system. Usually they use a water soluble and very weak fertilizer in the irrigation system.

I know that's not very exact - but that's what I have observed.

The only bonsai I've ever kept alive, I replanted and turned into a tree. 

[Indiana Karen]

Very pretty.  I love Bonsai and have always wanted one but I know I would kill it. 

Good luck,
Karen

[miguynmkoi]

Looks like a very very nice Father's Day gift!  A treasure to keep forever!

My Uncle is a bonsai maniac and he showed me all the doings of raising a bonsai.  Believe me when I say I'm a lousy student!   

First of all there's patience to tend to; lost me there!    Chances are your bonsai has been sheltered in a green house so it needs to inch out into the open sun very slowly (day-wise).  Misting is a must in dry weather.  Do not let the roots dry out but also do not let it sit in water.  Weak fertilizer weekly with watering.  Most importantly, talk to your bonsai.  You will be one with nature, Grasshopper. 

Note:  I don't have the patience to grow bonsai.  Any I have ever had has been planted in the ground so it can wilt back to nature 

[LeeAnne151]

Most important is that that is a juniper and it is an outdoor plant but putting it in full sun may burn it because it has been in a lower light location during shipping and probably for sale.

Many people try to keep them as houseplants but they die.

[Mikey]

Nice gift.  I've tried them before but I lacked the patience and care they needed and I gave mine to a friend who enjoys them....  Have you been to the Japanese Garden at the Huntington?  They have a courtyard with quite a few of them.  Very impressive.  They used to have one that looked like a miniature giant redwood.  They may still have it on exhibit with the others.

[Argos5]

Thanks for all the advise and suggestions...the only "instructions" that came with it was "I like to be outside."...it may not have known that we would have several days of 105-110 temperatures...I think I found a good spot for it for now...our patio has a translucent cover so it can get a lot of light but little or no  direct blazing sun...come fall and winter, I can move it to an area which will give it more sun...one concern is what might happen when we go on vacation in August...one more chore for our house sitter to do.

[Mikey]

If you have a protected area with sprinklers you might consider moving it there when you are absent.  Or set up one of those cheap timers that you attach to a garden hose.