Chinese Juniper Help

I'm new to the Art of Bonsai.

I acquired a Chinese Juniper from a colleague about a month or so ago. Foliage was green and had good colour and when felt, it was soft. Over the past month it seems all has gone downhill.

Foliage has started to brown, and when touched they seem to break off more easily than previously. No pruning, or anything had been done. I have just wired a small branch on the right. The plant was indoor for about a week and a half, receiving morning sunlight. Ever since, it has been moved outdoors, also only morning sun. The tips have also started to turn white on almost all the branches.

I had been told to not really water, just to mist the plant and the runoff will be sufficient water for the plant.

Please assist, its a bit worrying and looks like is dying, not too sure. I have done the check for mites, and have not seen any, the tree gets inspected on a daily basis for webs etc. I have added a tablet fertilizer to the soil, as a desperate measure, however not too sure if this was the right thing to do.

Please advise.

The pic attached is when I just got the tree, Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic this morning. I am in South Africa, and we are in late spring, going to summer.

If you spray a whole quart...liter, on one it maybe enough.

However, whatever is on the soil, (wtf), is not going to allow even that to get to the roots.

What is on the soil? A mudman melted in the hot African sun?Hopefully it has been removed.

Looks (sounds) like it needs water.

Sorce

I have removed it....apparently the previous owner who has been a bonsai enthusiast for over 20 years says that it is ash from a wood fire. Apparently it contains nutrients for the plant. And when watered it gets absorbed......i will water thoroughly this week and see how it goes. I was just scared of over watering.

i cant see your photos (photobucket rather than forum hosted)
but if it is in proper bonsai medium, over watering should not be an issue as the excess will run out the drainage holes.

walter pall has a great video on youtube about simplification of watering and fertilization.
(sorry - no link - youtube blocked here at work)

and i found this too by him:
http://walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com/2010/06/feeding-substrate-and-watering-english.html

beer city snake wrote:i cant see your photos (photobucket rather than forum hosted)
but if it is in proper bonsai medium, over watering should not be an issue as the excess will run out the drainage holes.

walter pall has a great video on youtube about simplification of watering and fertilization.
(sorry - no link - youtube blocked here at work)

and i found this too by him:
http://walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com/2010/06/feeding-substrate-and-watering-english.html

Thanks, I will be sure to check it out, and I believe that it is in proper Medium, with good drainage....

I Managed to take some pics after watering this afternoon

My wiring may not be perfect either, it was just to remove the cross branch.....I havent decided how to style the tree as yet, more set on trying to not let it die at the moment.

Any input is appreciated.

Cheers
K