Hi Ross,

I've posted an updated article describing how to winterize a bonsai, but please let me know if this is too general of an article. Here is the link. http://www.learning2bonsai.com/articles/12-seasonal-care/72-winterizing-your-bonsai - it's posted in the seasonal care section. This community is only 2 days old, but there is already 100+ registered bonsai enthusiast so hopefully someone else will also share their winterizing methods.

Here are some articles from regional bonsai clubs that discuss winterizing.
http://memphisbonsai.org/content/view/46/2/
http://www.alabamabonsaisociety.org/winterizing

Ross

I am sorry to hear of your problems with over wintering junipers. It usually isn't the cold that kills the tree it is the cold drying winds that literally suck the life out of the tree. (Do you know what variety of Juniper you had?)

Here in New England I have over wintered many junipers over the years in my basement or in an outdoor shed. Both environments were of course unheated and at the same time sealed off from the wind. Checking on them now and then just for soil moisture. When you dug the hole and left the tree outside, did you bury the entire tree or just the root ball and pot portion? And the non heated garage was it ever exposed to the wind by the doors being left open? Even for a short period of time the cold winds can cause serious harm or death to a juniper bonsai tree. There simply isn't enough root structure to help the tree once exposed.

Don't loose faith and please try again. There is not one of us who practice bonsai who haven't lost a tree for one reason or another. It comes with the hobby.

Have a HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!

ciao!
Bonsaimark

Ross

PS

It is always a good idea to use 0-10-10 No Nitrogen Fertilizer on your bonsai (Junipers included) before the winter dormancy period. 0-10-10 really helps your bonsai during dormancy and when they "awake" in the Spring.