AusBonsai

After looking at all the very impressive bonsai on here which have been crafted from plants bought at nurseries, I became very eager to give it a go myself. While shopping for other things at bunnings I came across a small plant labelled as Juniperus chinensis pyramidalis. I thought it would possibly (one day) make a nice bonsai, so for $15 I figured I had not much to lose and I bought it. When I came home I looked up some info on this cultivar, only to find that pyramid cultivars are not so good for bonsai.
Well I had the plant so I still gave it a very light trim and (attempted) to wire it. I plan on putting it into a bonsai pot in a few months time once the weather cools down a bit. Any suggestions on what I can change or do are greatly appreciated, also please tell me if you think I'm wasting my time with this plant!
Please go easy, this is the first time I've really attempted wiring branches

I'm only new to bonsai myself and have yet to wire anything up, but I think that looks pretty good. Makes me look forward to my first wire up.

Not is all lost with conical trees - my Thuja started out as a conical blob.

You've got the start of a good taper there!

And if you can manage the branch structure you'll get a nice formal upright.

One of my first learning trees was this variety. What I found was that after you have wired it, leave it on for 6/9 months take it of it goes back. So I used it to practice wiring and branch choices.
It taught me a lot, they do make good groups if you can get enough varying sizes.

As I said a good learning tree to teach what to look for it taper branch placement and wiring.

Cheers Pup

Thanks for the help!

I guess I'll see how the plant reacts when the wire finally comes off again, and I'll decide what happens from there.

Also another question, what size bonsai pot would be a safe choice for this? Is there a general rule for pot size when transferring to a bonsai pot for the first time

sekans wrote:Also another question, what size bonsai pot would be a safe choice for this? Is there a general rule for pot size when transferring to a bonsai pot for the first time

The smaller the pot, the slower the development. So don't go too small until you've got the tree "finished" (ish)

The other is that wider is better - the wider the pot the more the roots are encouraged to go sideways -> great nebari!

The old chestnut of when to put in a bonsai pot.

The way I answer that. If I am happy with the trunk, then into a bonsai pot.
if the trunk needs more development then it stays in a Plastic grow pot.

Ken

kcpoole wrote:The old chestnut of when to put in a bonsai pot.

The way I answer that. If I am happy with the trunk, then into a bonsai pot.
if the trunk needs more development then it stays in a Plastic grow pot.

Ken

Ha! Another nugget!


Cheers
EZ
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From the advice on here (thanks guys! ) I've decided to wait a while before putting this tree into a bonsai pot. I've already noticed the trunk and branches have been thickening in the short time since I've had it. I've also recently shortened the lower branches to a more realistic length.
The lowest branch (right side) is quite a bit thinner than the other lower branches. If I let this branch grow without any trimming, this will help it thicken and also aid the base of the trunk in thickening hence increasing taper, right?

Sure will. It is looking good

You have done well. The first tree is really scarey. Yes leave it in the pot and a search round for nice pot. You will probably have to keep it wired for a long time just watch that the wire doesn't cut in. All this comes from experience
Cheers Rod

Thanks for the help and suggestion! I'll make sure the wire doesn't start cutting in and I'll keep my eye out for a nice bonsai pot to eventually put it in. I was thinking of looking for one that is still reasonable large so I don't have to trim off too much of the root system and I hope this will also allow it to grow at a reasonable rate after the repot.

Try a round drum pot preferably dull or unglazed should do the trick
Cheers Rod

Just an update on this one. As Rod suggested, I think a round drum pot would suit this tree well, however I haven't been able to get my hands on one yet, so I placed it into a spare pot I had. I'll keep my eye out for a round pot in the mean time though.

I've also given it a trim a couple of weeks ago, but I'm not yet happy with how it's progressing. Any critique and suggestions are greatly appreciated.