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Hello everyone,

This is my first post here, or among any bonsai forum. I have come here to ask for help. About a week or so ago, I went to the renaissance festival here in Florida, and came across a stand selling juniper bonsai trees. They were absolutely beautiful, and at a very cheap price for their age and size. However I have had a bonsai tree in the past, and knew that I should ask the man for more details before buying it. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of trusting the man as he said that this beautiful 8+ year old juniper tree could grow inside if enough care was given. He said that as long as I put it in the window and opened it a few times every week, the tree would do just fine. After making the impulse buy, I have found that this is not sufficient for the tree. In addition, my roommate told me that his room didn't get much light at all, so using the placements of our rooms I assumed that mine would. Turns out he has an east facing window, and I have a north facing, leaving my tree with very little natural light. So there has really been a just a huge mess up from the very start. I have bought supplemental lighting for it in the form of a mounted fluorescent light I keep in my desk to try and aid the tree in the meantime, but would like to hear any possible tips or advice. I cannot place the tree fully outside, as I am positive it would be stolen in my neighborhood. I have an east facing patio but it remains shaded all throughout the day if I am not mistaken. Sorry for such a long post, I wanted to give as much information as possible. I love this tree and will do my very best to keep it alive and healthy. I will attach a picture below for reference.

I'm very sorry but I am not going to lie:
This is a decorative young juniper, probably made from a cutting, not 8 years old.
This really doesn't have much to do with bonsai. I find the blue pebbles appaling.

The plant must be outside. It cannot be kept indoors and will die in the long run.

It is not at all the worst mallsai I've seen on this forum, it is possible to make something nice out of it.
It is an absolute must it gets the correct care first.

Welcome to forum. Best is save your and tree`s pains. Find a way to grow it outside or wait for better days when you will be able do that.

Oh really? It's just a cutting? I mean the thing is huge. It's easily a foot long and has quite a bit of growth. It is significantly bigger than most bonsai trees I've even seen for sale honestly. And I hate the blue pebbles too. I think they are a horrible touch that would detract from a fish tank let alone a bonsai tree. If I can get this tree to live somehow I will happily replace the appalling stones with more natural looking river pebbles.

As for the tree, if there truly nothing I can do for it in my situation? I can place it in my window and open the window. I've found that my curtains act as a very efficient block between the environments of my room and of outside, so that if my window is open the area between the curtain is hot and humid while my room is not. I really want to try to help this tree live the happiest life I can give it. Can I maybe keep it in the shaded window I have while it's bright out, and then switch it over to supplemental lighting indoors?

Thank you both for responding and trying to help. I truly appreciate the help.

The longest I have see a juniper survive indoors was 2 years (see photo).


As for if it is a cutting, yes it looks that way. These are "farmed" that way to mass produce the product. Probably the only bonsai you have seen are at malls, and stores. If you could ever go to a bonsai event or the National Arboretum, if you are in the USA, you will see just how young your plant looks.

So what exactly does the tree need from being outside? Is it the humidity? I understand that it needs to be outside and that I will never be able to reproduce everything it needs from being outside. But what does it get from the outdoors that it cannot get from being in an open window? I'm sorry if this comes off as me questioning your knowledge, I'm not by any means. I just want to know if I can put in more effort to get it what it needs.

As for the age, if I had to guess personally I would put it around 6 years or so. It's got a relatively thick trunk, with pretty thick foliage. In my mind 6 years old is pretty young still for a bonsai tree.

Once again thank you for the help. I really want to give this tree the care it needs to the best of my abilities

A juniper needs sunlight, wind or just air movement, 4 seasons, and a fluctuating temperature to go along with the seasons. If you plan to keep it in your open window all year then you could probably achieve this. The tree needs it's natural conditions to survive. I would worry about people getting in through the window unless you are on the 2nd floor or higher. I would be glad to go into more detail if you need me to.
Here is a quick read that doesn't go into great detail.