Wes Southern

Hello everyone!

First off I'd like to point out that I'm not new to growing things in general. I'm very good with several types of plants and enviroments including keeping up micro-climates and upkeep of potted tropical plants over years. These techniques all have to do with rate of growth, keeping FROM getting rootbound etc.

I went to a Bonsai convention last year and just was blown away by what I saw so here I am half a year later with a inexpensive, according to the seller -easy to grow, "no worries" Juniper (probably a Juniper Procumbens "nana") off Ebay for $21 shipped in a ceramic pot. I figured it would be a good starting point and at $21 I wouldn't feel to bad if I killed the poor thing.

Now I just spent the last three days reading ever beginner FAQ I could so I didn't just start asking things like, "Should I water everyday?" or, "when should I use a 20-20-20."

I'm not to fond of the look. It's almost like this one from his auction but not as high off the soil. same windswept WalMart special though. A picture from the auction is included. It's the kind of Bonsai you see at a friends house all brown and ready for the trash.

Now I do have some conserns I wanted to bring up that I have NO control over.

First some info on where I am: USDA hardiness zone 8A in East Texas which is 50-90% humidity sub-tropical. The last three winter seasons it got to a balmy 25f for a day then back to 38-45f for a few weeks. The summers can be killer 100f for 2 weeks with 85% humidity.

I'm living in an apartment on the top floor. It's on the shady North side. The Juniper is in full to partial sun for 3 hours in the morning and then it is just ambient nature light. I was told that this wouldn't be a problem but, "growth would be effected." This is a consern of mine for sure.
If this is not enough light to keep the tree alive I'll give it to my mom who has a nice sunny porch.

Most importantly I don't care for the design. not really a Bonsai, windswept.. landscaping rock.. type of person.

I'm sure there are plenty of you out there that go a bonsai like this and it went on to greater things.. I'm a fan of every form but windswept and cascade. Any tips or what not on shaping would be wonderful!

Honestly I like Junipers but I got this more to see if I could keep a restricted tree alive for a few years before moving forward on a grouping type.. something less "Karate Kid."

Attached Images

juniper01.jpg (58.9 KB, 205 views)

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Juniper Newbius Bonsius

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