Advice for newb with juniper

[Tim.C]

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Hi everyone, I have this juniper, and would like some advice on what to do with it. I know the first thing everyone is going to say is, "put it in a bigger pot and grow, grow, grow." I intend on doing that, but as for the style of the tree, I would like some advice and opinions. I was originally thinking a semi, or full cascade, but have lately been thinking of straightening him up, and using some of the branches for dead wood. Advice and opinions more than welcome.

[shibui]

With such a young tree all options are open to you. Make it into whatever you want but also be prepared to change your mind as it develops because they do not always grow as you had imagined.

These guys get really stiff so it would b worth wiring and putting some bends into the trunk and branches now or you'll be stuck with straight for ever after.

[Daluke]

I see a nice cascade in there

[xIIRevoEvoS]

Hi Tim,

I would suggest that you either plant the juniper on the ground or in a plastic pot.
Alternatively you could have a read about colander planting
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14986&hilit=colanders

Depends on what your situation is like and the size of your backyard. For instance, I live in a Granny Flat with another house and the only area that gets the most sunlight is on brick paving.
Very little sunlight enters the small part of the garden. You would consider the following:

• The thickness of your desired trunk
  The size of your bonsai
  Nebari
  The amount of foliage

I would leave the remaining to other experienced bonsai artist

[kcpoole]

Really to young to decide what to do with.
It can be made into any shape you desire easily. so pick one and have a go.
Wire and bend to shape, Make a twisted mini out of it, wire some branches to it and learn how to develop foliage pads and maintain it. Plenty of opportunity to learn the techniques to create and maintain Bonsai.
No point re Jin or shari as it is too small to effectively utilise them.

Ken

[Tim.C]

Thank for your input guys. I think I'll just put it in a bigger pot and start wiring the trunk down for a cascade style. Never tried this before, so I'll see what happens. Got to start somewhere I suppose.

[shibui]

With this tree I would wire the smaller trunk for the cascade - put plenty of bends in it but don't worry too much about the planting angle yet - just make sure there is a bend where the fork is so that when you eventually change the angle of the base the new trunk will point down as the cascade. Leave the stronger trunk for the moment. It is doing a good job thickening the base of the tree. Cut it off (but leave some for a jin) when the base is thicker or when the other trunk loses vigour.
Taper is an important part of bonsai so don't always select the strongest part as your main trunkline. Always look for ways to make taper in your trees.

If you use the strong branch as the main trunk there will be very little taper in your bonsai and you won't have any significant bits to make jin.

[Tim.C]

Thanks Shibui.

When you say wire the smaller trunk for the cascade, do you mean the little one sticking straight up?, or the weaker one where it forks further up? Sorry if this seems a basic question, I just don't have any experience at all in shaping a tree for bonsai. All I know is once you cut it off, you can't glue it back on.

Tim

[shibui]

I was looking at the one sticking straight up Tim but because I can't actually see the tree in 3D it might not be possible. You'll have to assess and decide if it can be done.
After a second look I see the other branch you are talking about further along the stronger trunk. It may also be an option but I think that might make the first part of the trunk a bit too long before it starts to taper?

Still a few years to decide. I don't think you should cut any of it off for quite a while. It will all help to grow the trunk so leave as much as possible for as long as possible. You can still wire the stronger trunk as well if you think there are possibilities for it to be used.

[Tim.C]

Thanks again Shibui.

I'm liking your idea about bending the small vertical branch down to make the cascading trunk. It is doable, but can you advise which way to bend it? Would you bend it away from the main trunk? (180 deg from existing main trunk, right in pic 1),or would you go 90 deg to main trunk? (Towards or away from camera in pic 1). Or does it not matter? Sorry for all the questions, I'm at the very bottom of a steep learning curve.

Thanks Tim