Japanese Juniper Help!

BonsaiSteve1

I bought this from a nursery about 2 months ago. I placed it in a larger than normal bonsai pot (so it can grow) and did some preliminary branch pruning and root pruning to get it started (since the picture it has had lots of new growth). I found the front of the tree, the number 1, 2, & 3 branches, and then got stuck (please excuse my bad wiring, first time..).

To me, it looks rather silly as of now. I have a couple questions I would like some professional opinion on...

1) Do you always need to conform to a certain style, or can the tree just grow into the "tree it wants to be"?

2) If so, what style should I go for? I was thinking semi-cascade or windswept, I know both would need significantly more styling.

3) Should I just leave it alone and let it grow for a few years?

Any other suggestions/comments would be great. Keep in mind I am a beginner.... if you think it looks horrible and it's not worthy I will understand...

Thanks for your time!

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SlapSlapSlappy

Well I'm definitely not advanced or professional, but these are questions I asked other members here, as well as club members.

1. I think that if you are going to have a successful bonsai, you need to conform to a style if you are wanting to show it. If you are keeping it in a bigger pot to let it grow, I would just let it grow, to thicken up the trunk. You can let it grow for three years, do some initial styling and see if it's what you want, or you can put it back in a deeper pot and let it grow more.

2. Both semi-cascade and windswept would look good on that tree. It is already in a sort of semi-cascade shape, with some more styling needed over the next few years. What do you think you want, what looks more appealing to you?

3. Yes, I would leave it alone and let it grow, the trunk could use some thickening as well as the foliage starting to grow out and because tighter.

You can definitely make this tree something good, it could take some years but in the end of that time period you'll have a pretty nice tree.

BonsaiSteve1

I was thinking cascade. It would need a taller, more suitable pot.

GIANNHS

You said that you bought this juniper only 2 months ago and:
you repotted it,
you pruned brunches / roots and
you wired it

In my opinion, what you really have to learn now is to ‘‘be patient’’…

jeremy_norbury

Be patient - that's good advice. The amount of patience required for this tree might be in the order of several years, however.

Now it looks to me like your preliminary branch pruning was at the wrong end of the branches. You should prune the tips of branches - not the smaller branches near to the trunk, unless you were actually after the PomPom style. (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001497CHK...20&linkCode=asn) Not my favourite but might suit it.

If you want it to grow faster, put it in a MUCH larger pot (multi-gallon/multi-litre) and lay off the root pruning. Feed well.

What did you pay for it?

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ElGringo

Are you able to plant it outside in the ground? It would thicken up much faster than if you put it in a larger pot. Option number 3

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Richard


If I was a lady, would I be 'LaGringa'?

jeremy_norbury

Completely agree - I grow all mine in the ground unless I'm busy with fine-tuning...

I had assumed (maybe incorrectly),since it's his first, that there wasn't anywhere for it outside.

__________________

All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
I told you I was ill. Spike Milligan's Gravestone

ElGringo

Very cool

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Richard


If I was a lady, would I be 'LaGringa'?

waltr

Leave it grow for a few years just water and fertilize. It has that mallsai look at the moment but that's ok. In time you will get a better idea as to how to style it.
I do hope you are keeping it outside.

Here are some pictures of a small procumbus I have. It started a $4 plant and was put into a small bonsai pot without any trimming in Aug2004. The next pic is July 2005 then April 2006. The trunk has thickened a bit between '05 and '06.

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