Juniper Bonsai Root Rot

Dormant root pruning without top pruning will result in food storage losses and the resultant top growth.

Juniper bonsai root rot. It is caused by a soil borne fungus phytophthora cinnamomi and the most common symptom is the slow decline of the plant. One of the obljects of bonsai is to keep them about the same size as when they are considered finished to accomplish this root pruning is required. There is no one obvious symptom of root rot. Leaves will also become discolored branches may weaken and break off and growth will be stunted.

Affected roots must be pruned away and the bonsai transplanted into fresh soil. Root pruning also keeps your bonsai healthy. I took my weak juniper out of its pot to try to inspect the roots they seemed to be dark and stringy at the ends but there was no rotting smell or fumk besides wet dirt i couldn t see much because the roots were fairly deep into the center of the dirt. Leaves on the plant will become thin or sparse.

Long term it can kill your tree. Does my juniper bonsai have root rot. Growth may be either slowed down or speeded up. Improper drainage can cause roots to turn brown and mushy.

While there are many different fungi that can cause root rot the most common that affects juniper trees is phytophthora cinnamomi. It is especially important for junipers to be in coarse fast draining soil bonsai soil root pruning. Root rot caused by pathogenic fungi or bacteria pathogenic fungi and bacteria kill live roots as they feed off them blocking the vascular tissue that carries moisture and sugars between the roots branches and foliage causing the foliage to wilt and die back of the above ground portions of the tree. Re pot the root pruned juniper into a shallow pot often called a training pot smaller than the 1 gallon container it was growing in but larger than the bonsai pot it will eventually occupy.

The character of the growth can also be manipulated. Root pruning can a very valuable tool in the bonsai training process.