Juniper advice appreciated

MaxPower

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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mrwally1954

hi max power ,
sorry cant give you any advice for Ur tree (I'd need a cpl of days weeks looking at it ) though its got heaps of potential , I'm jealous . I would probably be corrected though I'm not sure "taper "counts to much on junipers as it is Ur got a nice looking tree .
Stuart

Carl_Bergstrom

Max,

Nice tree. I think you've nailed it with respect to the planting angle - those last two shots really make the most of the movement you've got going there in trunk, and they put the canopy into good balance.

If the tree is healthy and growing vigorously, I don't see any harm in wiring now.

What soil is the tree in? You probably already know this, but just in case: when you repot, don't bare-root. Instead, if the tree is in less than ideal soil (e.g. the original garden dirt or a poor-quality bonsai mix), bare root one half of the root ball (e.g., the front) but leave the other half intact except for gently combing and trimming the roots at the edges.

Then when you repot a second time, you can replace the other half of the soil. (For others reading this thread, this method works very well for conifers but of course is unnecessary for most deciduous.)

Best regards,
Carl

ElGringo

i like the angle in the first photo. If its strong and healthy then its ok to wire, although i think the overall shape is there. it needs a trim to reduce the foliege slightly, but wow, cool tree! it reminds of the okinawan bonsai in the karate kid 3

__________________
Richard


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

MaxPower

thanks, glad you guys like it.
Carl- the soil is from the nursery. it mainly volcanic rock with some organics. it's just right for junipers. water falls right through the pot. Half the roots were already done when i bought it. The other half are a mess, and many were sticking out of the siol. I threw a little pumice on top to hide the rat's nest on one side. I'll take a look at the roots and probably repot next spring. I'm thinking about using a plain drum pot for now; something to give it room to grow.
Gringo- I know what you mean. It does have that karate kid sort of look to it, although i never saw the third movie. was it in theatres or did it go straight to video?