---
title: "Hello! I’m a bit new to this app, but I thought I might make my first…"
description: "Hello! I’m a bit new to this app, but I thought I might make my first post asking for advice on a bonsai (Japanese Juniper) I was recently gifted. Although I…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/hB0M8pmURCqUK7zhKpIOTw/Nl7lQAWZ04vqat1Fj8o73i"
community: "Bonsai Matters"
author: "izzy"
published: "2025-05-09T19:20:58.203935Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/oDbv0oexWMMz9iIX3XRgqT_QhP4Z-NHNT2cLSsy9h2c/D5P_5ia6SSqR3dLcrqexow.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hello! I’m a bit new to this app, but I thought I might make my first…

_Posted by izzy on 2025-05-09_

Hello! I’m a bit new to this app, but I thought I might make my first post asking for advice on a bonsai (Japanese Juniper) I was recently gifted.

Although I usually have a pretty easy time with my other plants, I always end up killing my bonsais. I was wondering if anyone would have any pointers on proper bonsai care, more specifically for Japanese Junipers (as per the tag).

In the past my bonsais have always dried up in an instant, so any advice is appreciated! As it’s a gift from my family, I’d really quite like to keep it thriving for as long as possible.

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/oDbv0oexWMMz9iIX3XRgqT_QhP4Z-NHNT2cLSsy9h2c/D5P_5ia6SSqR3dLcrqexow.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/oDbv0oexWMMz9iIX3XRgqT_QhP4Z-NHNT2cLSsy9h2c/JmsLiLjkQAO-X1TioI52nA.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Trevor commented on 2025-05-09

Just so you know that a juniper lives outside and needs a period of dormancy in the winter. With it outside you will have to check daily on watering. What zone are you in?

#### izzy replied on 2025-05-09

I live in central Texas, so if your referring to the hardiness scale I believe it’s Zone 8

### Roro commented on 2025-05-09

Does it have drainage it needs a lot of drainage also make sure that you prune every 3 months ish

#### izzy replied on 2025-05-10

Ive actually been wondering about pruning as I only have basic knowledge of it for larger trees, do you have any advice on how I should go about pruning when the time comes, such as where and how I should trim something smaller like this? I know one is supposed to trim above the bud, hanging or crossing branches, and so on, but it seems it’s a bit different when it comes of bonsais?

#### izzy replied on 2025-05-10

Oh, and yes it does have one drainage hole ofc, but I’m considering moving it to a new pot with perhaps more drainage, as this one seems a bit cramped

#### Roro replied on 2025-05-12

Yep looks a bit cramped and possibly root bound

### Waspinator commented on 2025-06-02

Junipers are often already very dry when people buy them, so be sure to give new ones water and time to recover. They're also sensitive to heat and direct light, so give them a spot with some spotty shade. Yours would benefit from a larger pot. As for training it as bonsai, spread the roots out wide and shallow in its new pot, and trim any that are too long or overcrowded. Prune about a third of the branches away to give them space and thier initial styling. :)

### Waspinator commented on 2025-06-02

As for what type of styling to do with it, yours looks like it would do upright or a mildly slanted windswept look pretty easily

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