California Juniper rehab

mike_p

This Cal juniper was a near "sayonara" style when I acquired it 3 or so years ago. It's been under some intensive rehab since then, and is now in good health. Earlier this week I did some major trimming, and wired it. Today I put it in this Sara Rayner pot. Height from table is 33 inches.

Attached Images

ronjun2.jpg (64.9 KB, 155 views)

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cbobgo

Can you give us some of the details of your rehab program?

- bob

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Carl_Bergstrom

Mike,

Congratulations on bringing this tree back from near-to-death. That's a great piece of material to have saved.

Personally, I find the canopy too umbrella-like for my taste. My eye flows up along the trunk, and then hits that bifurcation where the foliage diverges left and right in roughly equal proportions.

What about bringing the left side foliage back across, to move through to the right?

Best regards,
Carl

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mike_p

Carl, the image shows how this may develop over time. A lot of cutting back was just done, and it will take some time to tighten up the foliage.

Bob, bonsai that are negelected for long periods usually have a number of problems in common. Lack of nourishment, not enough water, being rootbound, etc.
I start by removing the rootball from the pot. Sometimes it's necessary to break the pot. I'll then put the rootball in a tub of water with some soluable fertilizer for a long soak, sometimes overnight. This accomplishes 2 things. Rehydrating the tree, and sending some nourishment through the system.
After this is done, I'll use a hose to wash some of the old soil away from the roots, top, sides and bottom. Then into a training pot with a good gritty bonsai mix. Sometimes I'll pack spagnum over the top of the roots to encourage surface rootage. When these roots develop, and it's time to repot, I'll be able to remove roots from the sides and bottom of the root ball.
I think it's necessary to keep a feeding program going, using some kind of slow and constant release fertilizer. Gro-Power 12-8-8 slow release tablets are my favorite.
This process might take a couple of years depending on the tree's condition. Usually theres some positive response in a fairly short time with the foliage greening up and new growth starting to pop. We're talking mainly about coniferous trees here, especially junipers, but I know of no reason that some version of this process wouldn't work for most trees.
I hope this answers your question.

Mike
Edit: Bob, you asked about sunlight. Good question. In my coastal climate I try to give junipers and pines full sun. In the case of the rehab project, I start it out in at least half-day full sun , if not more.
I left out 2 important parts of the process, foliage misting and feeding. The foliage should be misted a couple of times a day. Foliar feeding is very beneficial in cases like this, especially for junipers, because it takes some time for new feeder roots to form. I would say once a week with 1/4-1/2 strength water soluable fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro.

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ronjun2virt.jpg (67.4 KB, 79 views)

__________________
Nature is perfect.
Man's attempts to improve nature,
Are imperfect.
MP@BBB Studio

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha

cbobgo

Thanks for the details! What about sunlight - did you put it in partial shade for awhile, or did you keep it in full sun?

- bob

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"As a twig is bent the tree inclines" - Virgil (70BC-19BC)
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Check out my blog: bonsaiapprentice

rowan57

Are you going to be carving the jin/shari more? i think it would look nice if the jin and shari flowed more harmoniusly with the trunk of the tree, likem followed the curve. if you want i could do a virt tonight when i get in to show you what i mean.

Rowan

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Carl_Bergstrom

Great, Mike! That's the sort of thing that I was thinking. Amazing the difference in the visual flow that this little change makes.

Obviously no need to hurry on it, given that the tree is just coming out of recovery.

I like the lines of this one.

-Carl

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mike_p

Bob, I edited my post on rehab. Hope it answers you question. If you have any more questions, fire away!
Rowan, you are welcome to do a virtual, as is anyone else that wishes to.

Mike

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Man's attempts to improve nature,
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MP@BBB Studio

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Gautama Buddha

Larry

That looks satisfyingly weird!

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