I live in zone *b on the East Coast of Florida. This tree, a San Jose Juniper is one of my first(of the few that survived ; ), and I've had it a couple years.

I have two questions.

First, the bottom branch is too short, and not as dense as the rest of the foliage pads. I have been debating what to do with this for a year now. Could I loosely fix a translucent plastic grocery bag over all of the plant except the bottom branch to force growth to that area without harm to the rest of the banches? Would this be effective? Or, do I have to cut this tree back a lot to allow this branch to catch up? I really don't want to so that.

My second question is, I have read a couple miscellanious exerps about junipers being able to survive long term in this climate. Some claiming each way. Some sources claim they can't be grown for bonsai here without killing them, but others disagree. Junipers are used in landscaping here. However, they are commonly seen struggling also. I think due to lack of water. The well upkept yards do quite well with them. Does growing them as bonsai stress them to where the less than ideal dormancy can kill them in the long term? What techniques could make their life here, on the sun, be more healthy?

Thanks in advance for any insights ; )

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