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bonsaiTALK Journeyman
Join Date: Jan-2006
Posts: 11
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Juniper advice appreciated
Hi everyone. Let me start by saying thank you. For the past year or so I've learned so much by reading this forum. I'm still relatively new to bonsai, and this is my first thread here.
Around this time last year, I moved on from the stick-in-pot phase. I aquired some stock to grow out, and worked on the horticultural aspects. I went from twigs in pots to stumps in grow boxes (and pond baskets, which I think are awesome), but nothing that looked like a miniature tree, a bonsai. I wanted to practice the fun stuff- trimming, wiring, etc.
I purchased this juniper from a local nursery in L.A. this last February (Mid-February is the start of spring in LA). I'm still not sure what type it is, but the price was right, and I bought it with the spiky stuff in mind. There was a very small amount of scale foliage that I trimmed out. The man at the nursery thought it was perhaps a prostata. I'm still not sure as to the type.
I wish I had taken a before picture. Anyways, it had recently been dug up from somebody's yard, maybe a year or two before, and had been chopped and potted. Over the spring I worked on the general shape and strucute. Over the summer I let grow. It didn't seem to mind the heat. The tree is now about half the size it was when purhcased. Some branches were removed, the others shortened. My pruning resulted in something that looked less like a hedge and more or less like bonsai.
I've included pictures to show you where I'm at now. About a month ago I moved to Santa Cruz for school, and the juniper just loves it up here. I trimmed the big branch on the right a little before remembering to take pictures, so it looks a little top heavy; it's really not tho.
At this point I'm interested on your input. I realize this tree doesn't have the proper taper, but Keep in mind I'm just looking to practice different techniques. If this turns out to be an 'acceptable' bonsai I'll be happy.
I'm considering tilting it to change the planting angle as shown. This decision is mostly dictated by the roots, but I think it looks rather pleasant this way as well.
I've decided on a front, give or take 15 degrees in either direction.
I'm giving it one last trim this week. I'm gonna leave it alone after this until next spring. I expect some slow growth for the next couple months or so. It's been growing strong all summer, but it really needs to back bud in a few places.
The brances are too straight and not all are pointing the way I'd like. should I go ahead and wire it too? I mean, is this an ok situation for wiring? It's healty and growing strong. Some of the thicker primary branches are still rather flexible, but I'm worried they might harden off over the winter, making it a real pain later on.
Comments, suggestions? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this tree. I'll post another pic in a couple days when I'm done working on it.
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