bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Juniper Procumbens Nana for ?? Cascade Style Bonsai

"Im pretty impressed that somebody can say whats promising (or not in this case) without seeing a photo."

Um, which photo did you not see?There are three above. All show a trunkless plant with a scant root system (two or three dominant roots in a mass this big is scant ) and long gangly limbs and no discernable features that would make a good bonsai candidate. Long gangly limbs don't necessarily translate into "cascade" as that style is more than a single limb.

" I am sure you are right when you say it is not promising Bonsai material. However since I am trying to learn can you tell me why?
Anyhow can you give me some ideas?"

The trouble is primarily in the fact that the "tree" appears to have no trunk, or group of trunks. Bonsai is ALL about trunks. They are the foundation of each bonsai image. Trunks not only provide a backbone for the branches to hang from, but they define the tree. They literally provide bonsai with their souls. Old, gnarled trunks, smooth pretty trunks, long graceful ones--each form sets the overall tone of the tree. No trunk means no foundation...

This might not be a single tree, or shrub, at all. I wouldn't be surprised if each, or several, of those long thin branches aren't individually rooted...Can't tell without better photos, yet the tree defies being photographed. If this tree can't be defined in even the most basic terms, such as how to photograph it, then what makes it a good subject for bonsai?

21-Apr-2006	#10
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	"Im pretty impressed that somebody can say whats promising (or not in this case) without seeing a photo." Um, which photo did you not see?There are three above. All show a trunkless plant with a scant root system (two or three dominant roots in a mass this big is scant ) and long gangly limbs and no discernable features that would make a good bonsai candidate. Long gangly limbs don't necessarily translate into "cascade" as that style is more than a single limb. " I am sure you are right when you say it is not promising Bonsai material. However since I am trying to learn can you tell me why? Anyhow can you give me some ideas?" The trouble is primarily in the fact that the "tree" appears to have no trunk, or group of trunks. Bonsai is ALL about trunks. They are the foundation of each bonsai image. Trunks not only provide a backbone for the branches to hang from, but they define the tree. They literally provide bonsai with their souls. Old, gnarled trunks, smooth pretty trunks, long graceful ones--each form sets the overall tone of the tree. No trunk means no foundation... This might not be a single tree, or shrub, at all. I wouldn't be surprised if each, or several, of those long thin branches aren't individually rooted...Can't tell without better photos, yet the tree defies being photographed. If this tree can't be defined in even the most basic terms, such as how to photograph it, then what makes it a good subject for bonsai?