My Shimpaku...

[benbonsai]

Hi all.
Just thought I'd start a thread for my juniper.
Will probably start some other threads for my other trees also.

Any thoughts, tips or ideas are welcome and appreciated.
Should I let her grow out and trim after or should I get to trimming, wiring and styling straight away? That's the question. Its rather daunting.
I have already wired some main branches a while back but I want to get the pads looking nice.

[benbonsai]

My vision
Thoughts?

[Daluke]

I like the tree.

Nice foliage and branche placement.

Pot looks good too.

I'd be a fan if the tree was stretched longer and had a more subtle bend.

Something like this -

[benbonsai]

Do you think bending the main trunk back is achievable?
I do like your sketch

[Daluke]

I think with an angle change at the next repot, you could easily bend the second segment which looks more pliable. By an angle change at the repot, I wouldn't think you would have to bend it much.

You could bend the top branch of the tree to a more upright position too.

I forgot to say how much I like the deadwood. It looks natural. Any plans to extend it?

Either way, whatever you do, I like your tree.

[benbonsai]

By changing the angle that will affect the nebari, can anything be done about that?
And what you say is right, I agree completely. That sudden bend and then very straight branch has annoyed me for a while, I learned to live with it.

When you say extend the deadwood, what do you mean?

Its one of my favourites and my only shimpaku (shimpakus are my favourite)

[Daluke]

I was referring to the jinned branch - I think it would look really cool if the dead branch turned into a shari running to the base of a tree. Like a branch that was hit by lightning and then the live vein feeding it died off.

As for the nebari - it'd be a slight angle change so wouldn't think you'd lose to much through burying.

No tree has perfect everything and it's making what you have work best -

I love Conifers - especially Junipers!

[benbonsai]

Okay yeah that's what I thought you meant.
I might, haven't really thought about it
Might just concentrate on the top first.

Shimpakus are my favorite

[benbonsai]

Update

Have decided to bend the trunk as daluke has suggested.
In the end I was able to bend it quite a bit. I will let that set over the next year then maybe work into it a bit more with another bend.

Also the reason for the white electrical tape is I wasn't able to use aluminum wire (wasn't strong enough) so I had to use steel wire and because it rusts I had to insulate it. Looks pretty ugly but hopefully will prevent rust dripping into the soil.

[benbonsai]

Hi all.

After bending the trunk back slightly I now need to rewire & reposition the branches.
I have cleaned, trimmed and wired But I'm having trouble with branch positions.

My question is what should be the front?

When the deadwood is to the right the tree is more open and the beach structure can be viewed and when it's to the left you can see more of the foliage.

What is the general way to go about this?

[tgward]

it is possible to put a bend in that straight section using reo bar wire and wedges--that way you keep the large change in direction at the dead wood and give the straight section more interest.

[Firecat]

Last picture..nip off the little peak and pinch out next season..I'd be happy with exactly that alone.
I'm not a fuss pot must to the detriment some times..This would be for 'me' a finished display with the jin just right.

An added edit..'cover the roots' with a loose added medium grit type soil' over Summer'.
This can be brushed off later..I now do this as a precaution to keep roots cool and retain moisture close to the root center..just what I do.


Regards Steve.

[Daluke]

I'm a big fan of this tree.

I like the first image.

It looks like a "natural" tree - not the overdone, over the top bonsai that gets done with junipers. Light and elegant. Less is more.

It tells a story - the dead branch was the old leader which died off and the new leader took off from there. Maybe a slight bend would be more appealing, but that can be done over time.

I reckon the top should be left to grow taller.

I'm worried about one thing - the first wiring loop looks like you are strangling the tree. Be careful as the sap and energy flow is restricted and it might choke the tree. It's an easy fix just move the wire to follow the angling of the main branch.

[benbonsai]

Thanks for the replies
It seems as though it comes down to personal taste rather than a single rule.
Still undecided.
I do want to develop the pads to be dense and lush rather than sparse though.
Does pinching promote new buds and finer foliage? There are gaps and holes that need filling with foliage.
I'm still getting used to junipers and they're ways.

[Daluke]

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