New Bonsai! Shaping ideas?

Holokai

My sister got me a nice little juniper from bonsaiboy.com for Christmas, ain't she great?

Here's some pics, one of each side, with the plant rotating clockwise.


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I'm reading through some books about traditional shapes and whatnot, but I'm leaning toward trying to emphasize the main curve.

What do you think?

Thanks!

- Chris

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ChrisM

i think that trunk movement will be good to work with, but i would put it in the ground (or a over sized pot) and let it grow freely for a year or two and see what that brings you. it would need some branching on the bare side, or you could go for a literati or windswept with what it has now. either way, i think some more growth would prove wise. good luck with it.

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

Holokai

Really? The website says they ship when they're over three years, and that they're ready to shape... but websites say a lot of things, don't they

I was actually thinking that that the windswept look would be nice. I think it's shape lends itself quite well to that. I'll do some more reading and let you know.

Thanks!

- Chris

Joanie

Windswept is one of the hardest bonsai forms to pull off successfully. So many trees give us the "feel" of windswept, but to be able to form a bonsai that way is very difficult.

Joanie

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ChrisM

chris, i agree with joanie, windswept is the toughest form to pull off and make look good. they may have told you its age and that it was ready to shape, and while i am not doubting that they ship quality product, i personally wouldn't do anything to it quite yet.

chris

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

sauce

Yes they do. To some nurseries and most department stores a Bonsai is a seedling or sapling that has been trimmed and then placed in a bonsai pot. Yes your tree can be shaped now if you are happy with the size of it. I would recommend you look through the gallery here and on other bonsai sites to compare what you have with some old specimen junipers that have been grown and trained for many years. It may change the way you think of Bonsai. Either way you do have a nice fluid trunkline and seemingly very healthy tree, Good Luck with it. BTW, you do know that this is an outdoor tree right? It will die if kept indoors. http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Juniperus.html

Holokai

Yes, I know most if not all Bonsai should be kept outside. But we're still falling below freezing here at night, so I have all of my plants inside at the moment. I agree with you all and I will pot the juniper in a large pot as soon as I can.

Hehe... My sister is gonna KILL me

Holokai

Actually, I am wondering if I could get some quick tips on what to do during this growing period?

If I prune the needles back a bit, this will help fatten the trunk and branches, and at the same time result in smaller needles, correct?

sauce

The best thing is to just let it grow, no pruning or pinching. If you want something to prune and pinch go to a local nursery or Home Depot type store and get a tree to work on. For five to fifteen bucks you can usually get a decent sized juniper to practice on.