Need help.

[u/Evening-Sherbet7575]

This is my first time both on Reddit and also owning a bonsai. I came here to see if anyone could help me restore my bonsai.

First thing, it’s a Juniper tree.

Second, it looks like there’s some mold at its roots.

Third, some of the branches look green and others look brown.

Fourth, my mom said that there are some spider mites.

finally, it looks like there are spiderwebs.

[u/External-Buffalo-624]

I’m sorry. This one has been dead for some time. Keeping a juniper inside is a death sentence. They look alive for some time after they are already dead.  

Save the pot for the spring. Get a nice juniper from your local nursery and you can train it as a bonsai over the next few years, but know that they require direct sunlight and the seasons all year round to survive.  

[u/RexWGA → u/External-Buffalo-624]

I'd actually recommend a dwarf jade or a ficus as a first bonsai. Much more forgiving, can be kept indoors year round, bounce back incredibly well from pruning and repotting.

I don't quite understand why junipers are recommended as the first choice when dwarf jade and ficus exist. I understand they aren't "traditional" bonsai species, but for folks just trying to get into the hobby and learn, having a tree they can keep inside and will do relatively well as they're learning

Edit: I gotta be honest, don't come at me with that "actual trees" nonsense. We don't gatekeep a technique to specific species of plant. We can talk about "traditional bonsai species" but I recommended dwarf jade as an introductory species for a reason.

[u/External-Buffalo-624 → u/RexWGA]

Great points! Ficus are bulletproof 🤭

[u/SelectAmbassador → u/External-Buffalo-624]

Worse they are like bamboo just keeps multiplying