Why did you fill the pot half full of stones?

I did that to insure good water drainage and because the pot I was looking for, but they didnt have, would have been much shallower. I thought this would inhibit root growth alittle bit. So in 2 years or so, when I repot, I wont have a huge root ball.

I put a picture on my site that shows the pot.

www.zdarko.net/bonsai

 -Bill

It seems that you used regular potting soil when you repotted the tree. It would probably be for the best if that was replaced with something more free-draining, as conventional potting soil, by design, retains much more water for longer periods of time. It's good for a houseplant, but bad for a bonsai.

I believe that the major issue with keeping junipers in Texas is inducing an artifical dormancy on the tree. As you won't have the winter temperatures required, you'll have to make do by storing it in a fridge or other similarly climate-controlled environment. I'm not too sure about the particulars (as I can let Mother Nature do it for me), so other members may be able to help you out with the specifics.

Last thing: gather as many bonsai books as you can (libraries are usually the best), and read through them all. There's a huge amount of knowledge in the many books available.

-Audric

Thanks for the replys. This is very helpful.
I used the potting soil that came with the plant. From what I understand, most conifers like acidic soil, the soil it came with had alot of pine wood chips. I did not want to use regular soil because of exactly of what you said, it holds water. I was thinking of a high peat and sand mixture but though the soil it came with looked fine, no styrofoam in it either.
Alot of places have this type of juniper planted as a ground brush and they all have wood chips on the ground. Its probably more to stop weeds but the plants grow good in that environment. So if it works there, it should work good at home, right?

You need to add a bunch of grit, even that small, rough aquarium gravel, plus there have been sci. studies showing that rocks on the bottom of the pot actually can be counterproductive for drainage (something to do with water tables) and besides the roots will gladly grow right into the rocks, not what you planned, I think.

I put large stones, 1 1/2'' or so, on the bottom about 1-2 inches up. Then I have a small gravel, actualy thats what I did use in my aquarium, about 1-2'' of that size. Then the plant and soil on that. When I water on the top it soaks the water right up and quickly drains out the bottom, so I think the soil I have is pretty quick in draining.
From experience with Ficus, if I put the gravel in the bottom, like I stated and let it grow for a few years. The roots grow between the pot and the gravel, not through the gravel. When I pull the plants out of the pot, I cut a hole though the roots at the bottom and drain out the gravel for another planting.
Do you think the juniper will have the same effect or do you think it will just grow through the small gravel?
Should I replant and add some gravel to the soil or should I just watch the plant for a month or two and see how it responds? If I replant, should I just put screen over the bottom drain hole, then soil and no gravel?

I ordered a book from the local B&N store, its The bonsai hand book by Prescott. Hopefuly, over time I have more answers than questions.
I have some questions about using KNO3 for fertilizer, Ill save that for a new thread.
Thanks

wont an evergreen need light, meaning that it cant be put in a refrigerator or dark shed during the winter to keep it from freezing. I put my deciduous ones in the fridge once they drop their leaves.
castorcrap