[Pearcy] J x media 'Mint Julep'

[Pearcy001]

As the title suggests, this is a Juniperus x media 'Mint Julep' that I picked up from the BSV sale day recently. It is my second ever Juniper and I must say the species is fast becoming a favorite of mine. I originally purchased it to enter into the AusBonsai shohin comp, before remembering their was a $50 cap that this one just creeped over. Not to worry, I was still keen to get my hands dirty with this one.

I believe I may have picked this one up from you Treeman without even knowing so? Going by the label it was grown since 04/04/2004. Mike if you recognize the stock then it looks like we've met again without realizing, i promise I'll introduce myself next time haha.

On the weekend just been, Bonsai North West had guest artist Averil Stanley come down from Queensland, for both workshops and a demo on the Monday night. I had never been to a proper workshop before so was keen to give it a go. Early Saturday morning all ready and eager, I packed my car up and head down to the club with my little Juniper tucked under my arm. The workshop started and then it finished. This tree had a strong bend on a rear branch that really set the pace for this one, making me put twists and turns pointing left, right, up, down, back and forward letting off a beautiful scent as I worked it. The time absolutely flew! Before I knew it the workshop was over, unfortunately due to my slow pace and indecisive start the tree wasn't finished in time.

Not to worry! At home on Sunday I decided to finish off the tree. I attempted to wire out and place the pads. All in all I think I've done a good job with the overall design for a novice (thanks to the help of Averil and great stock), and am very pleased with the result. I had never really done a proper jin before this, so I had a ball working on the tree jinning branches all over. I look forward to it pulling through my rough handling and filling out in the months to come. Anyway enough of the talking and to the photos as that is what I'm sure you're all really after. As always, all criticism welcome.

First the before shots;

















And now for the finished product. It now sits safely in the Shohin category at 155mm high by 220mm wide (not including the long left jin.) Photos in order of front, left, back and right.









And a photo of the internal structure for good measure.



Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[Daluke]

Looks terrible... how much you want for it?

I'm kidding (but not about buying it).

I saw this in the flesh and it looks even better in real life.

I don't see many Junipers like this in Australian exhibitions. I'm sure it'll be exhibited in a few seasons.

[Pearcy001]

I don't see many Junipers like this in Australian exhibitions. I'm sure it'll be exhibited in a few seasons.

Thanks luke. Here's to hoping all the branches pull through my rough styling!

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[KIRKY]

Hi Pearcy001,
Wow! Great job
Cheers
Kirky

[Jarad]

Nice work mate!

One thing: Will you be putting some bends into those straightish jins poling out the left to make them more in-sync with the rest of the tree?

[Pearcy001]

Thanks Kirky

Hey Jarad, I'll take some more photos when I get home. From the front their isn't much movement as Averil said jins should be kept on a more level plain to reduce them looking weak. When viewed from slightly higher there is alot of movement on the left one (I presume that is the one you are referring to?) But front on appears quite straightish.

Maybe I should put a bigger twist in it? I guess I'll have to make a decision soon before the jin hardens off. In saying that it could also make it too much going on with the tree at the same time? Decisions... I think it will probably be left as is so as the tree doesn't look too identical on both sides as the jins are already at roughly the same height.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[Jarad]

Yeah, the left one. What did Averil mean by a level plain?

It's an awesome tree and I love what you've done to it overall. That one particular jin just doesn't look as crazy as the rest of the tree.

[Pearcy001]

Yeah, the left one. What did Averil mean by a level plain?

The way I understood it was because the base of that jin is somewhat thin, having a sub branch turn down or up caused the base of the jin to look even thinner, causing it to look weak? It will make more sense from a photo but there is a sub branch around 3cm across that protruded too far to have it either angled up or down too much. Hope that explanation made sense?

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[Ryceman3]

Nice work Pearcy, there's some wicked bends in there! I really like your "back" view. Good job

[BikesandBonsai]

Had the pleasure of doing the workshop with you Saturday. It's awesome little tree in the flesh.
As I novice myself I would of been scratching my head and probably given up on what looked like a very difficult little tree with that big bend in the back.. Beautiful thick little Nebari on it also.
Done a great job, inspired me to grab a little juniper.
Adrian

[orpy]

Great work Pearcy. It looks really compact and like you've had a lot of fun doing it.


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[melbrackstone]

inspired and inspiring, Pearcy! Well done!

[boom64]

Fantastic work Pearcy , going to be a beautiful bonsai. Cheers John.

[DavidN]

Hey mate,
Loved seeing this tree in person on Monday night and very impressed.
Looking forward to seeing it in the future and how it develops. Great work and glad you took the opportunity to do a workshop on it.
Also it is a "treeman" Mike stock. Always great material.

David

[Pearcy001]

Thank you to everyone for the kind words, as you could have probably guess I am very pleased with how this one has turned out.

Don't get me wrong this tree is far from perfect and has multiple issues that will need to be corrected in the future, but I will wait until my skills improve to correct these imperfections to assure the final result is the best it can be in a couple of years. I won't tell you the issues as they will be all you can see if I do haha. Now all I have to do is keep the possums away!

Hey mate,
Loved seeing this tree in person on Monday night and very impressed.
Looking forward to seeing it in the future and how it develops. Great work and glad you took the opportunity to do a workshop on it.
Also it is a "treeman" Mike stock. Always great material.

David

Haha I'm glad you liked it David, and thank you for convincing me to take this stock along. If it was left to me without the help of Averil I don't think it would have come out anywhere near as nice. After this one I may have to follow you around at all the sale days

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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