Juniper suggestions please.

nedz

I just purchased this Juniper from the Bonsai show in Ann Arbor Michigan.

The thing that struck me about it was it seemded to already be headed for a cascade style.

After buying it, it appeared to have just been potted and positioned as seen. I have no real way to know this. And since it is heavily root bound, maybe not. The reason I say this is that there are fine roots at least 3 incehes above the soil surface all over the truck.

I would like some comments on what would be a good style (if any) for this tree. Am I on the right track with cascade? Should I trim it into pads and wire fro some better bends?

About the fine roots on the trunk. Should I let them dry up or trim them off?

Attached Images

	Bonsai 024.jpg (49.6 KB, 64 views)
	Bonsai 025.jpg (47.1 KB, 61 views)
	Bonsai 026.jpg (44.9 KB, 103 views)

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Mcspeed

From what I can see of the plant cascade isn't a bad way to go, but more angles of the tree are needed. As far as removing the roots up high, I would try to see what the root mass entails first to make sure that these aren't the main roots, before you cut. Looks like it might have been burried a bit deep at some point, it's possible you find more trunk down there.

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nedz

Thanks, I am leaning towards a cascade.

The tree currently has 3 or 4 branches coming off the trunk. I noticed that most cascades have only one. Should I chose one and work with it romoving the rest?

treebeard55

You have a Juniperus procumbens nana, aka "Japanese garden juniper" and "procumbens juniper." Some consider it very forgiving, others shun it as very picky. I personally suspect those differences are due to different personal "styles" in bonsai care.

I suggest you contact the Ann Arbor people for information about the tree's history. Whoever put that tree into the sale should recognize it, and be able to answer your questions.

Procumbens is often used for cascade and semi-cascade, largely, I suspect, because it takes easily to those styles. Further, in the case of your tree, its trunkline is already sufficiently set that you might as well go with it. You could shape the tree to something else, but it would take quite a few years of hard work.

From the pics, it looks like a pretty decent tree. Best of success with it.

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waltr

Yes. One would find a single trunk line and remove any other heavy branching to bring out the line. Could you post a few more picture with continuing the rotation. I'd like to see the trunk from the 'back' to see its shape. Also place some we can all recognize on the pot to get a feel of the size.

Look through the gallery and other places on the web at pictures of cascades. This will help you get a feel for where you want to take this tree.

Vonsgardens

It's a juniper- what sort of stereotypical design can I throw it into- Oh, yeah, cascade.

I love good cascades. Most good cascades, don't have a trunk jumping straight out of the pot for a few inches and then turning it 90 degrees to get a cascade. Prostrate (not the gland) Junipers all grow like this, and the good ones tend not to be cascades. Tilt the pot, see if you could get a- han kengai (semi-cascade), or even some iteration of an upright. Before I did anything drastic with this juniper, I would reduce the branches seriously, and work to develop some branching back towards the trunk.

If you want a convincing cascade buy some supple whips and bend them to the form. See Jim Gremels nice shimpakus that he has done in less than 15 years or so. Good convincing cascades.

Just a thought,
John

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Vonsgardens

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nedz

Thanks for the replies.

Here are acouple more photos to show the size against a pop can. Yes, here in Michigan we call it pop.

Also a picture showing the branches.

Attached Images

	Bonsai 027.jpg (32.2 KB, 31 views)
	Bonsai 028.jpg (41.3 KB, 38 views)
	Bonsai 029.jpg (37.3 KB, 28 views)

nedz

Ooops. I meant to add that if I were to try a cascade, I was thinking that one or two of the smaller branches in the bach could be trained to grow up.


I have seen a few cascades thar both cascade and grow vertically. However, I am not sure the smaller branches would grow.