Shimpaku juniper raft - worth my time and effort?

[Jarrod]

I have had this raft for a number of years and never really done much with it. When I repot for the first time this year I found about 50 curl grubs in the mix which is why I believe that it hasn't developed at the rate I would expect.

My question is, is the stock worth pursuing? Or a waste of my time? Let me know your thoughts. The tray is probably 55cm wide and it stands about 45cm tall. Also love to get an idea as to what people would be willing to pay for stock like this? (don't worry you won't offend me, and I am not looking to sell it at this time!)

[Petra]

Including the grubs

[LLK]

Yes, if you put in the time and effort that it needs, you'd get a worthwhile bonsai. The thing's just been badly neglected. Shimpaku are Shimpaku, large or small, single or in a group, and you just need to prune and wire them the way you'd do any of that juniper spp. Just make a start. Without the grubs and maybe some seasol & fertiliser it should respond well.

[Jarrod]

It has been well looked after. And that is why I got discouraged! When you feed a tree heaps and look after it and it doesn't move, it's a little upsetting! Since I have had it, it is always been covered in dynamic, and given loads of seasol and powerfeed.

It is now starting to explode, but I am just wondering what people think about this setting.

[kcpoole]

Nice movement to each but the big trees look like pompoms to me.
I would thin out each one and separate the branches and wire individually so they are much lighter

What re the 2 branches coming off the right of the RH big tree? they look like waterfalls as they cross the smaller tree behind.

the 2 big one are the same height too which makes look a bit funny

Ken

[woody]

Jarrod,
Simply put, I like it. I think its got a nice natural feel to it.
Woody

[LLK]

It has been well looked after. And that is why I got discouraged! When you feed a tree heaps and look after it and it doesn't move, it's a little upsetting! Since I have had it, it is always been covered in dynamic, and given loads of seasol and powerfeed.

Yes, you watered and fertilised it, but with a bonsai things don't stop there. BTW, didn't you post it here earlier, i.e. about 2 yrs ago? I seem to remember quite a discussion about it at the time, like whether or not to turn the planting around.
Anyway, "looking after" means proper pruning, and in such a shallow pot it means repotting too. You didn't do either of those. If you had checked the roots, you would have discovered your curly grubs earlier, wouldn't you? And you wouldn't have such a poor, undisciplined lot of foliage patches either. THAT'S what's got you discouraged. Sorry mate, you won't get any sympathy from me.

Lisa

[craigw60]

Hi Jarrod, its easy to become despondent about some trees from time to time it happens to everyone I think. Your shimpaku group has a future if you want to work it hard. At the moment all the trees look like separate entities, you need to work them so they flow together. There are also 2 main trees so one has to be shortened so the main tree stands head and shoulders above the rest. The crowns have grown too strongly at the expense of the lower branches so they require cutting back and thinning. Shimpaku are high maintenance trees which quickly loose shape if pruning and pinching is neglected.
Craigw

[Jarrod]

Lisa, this tree was in a poly box until this year which I was told was recently potted when purchased. I now doubt that. I have kept the top of all the trees pinched and shortened to attempt to force growth low which never happened despite my feeding and pruning. I am not looking for your sympathy, just looking for some healthy discussion on this site about one of my trees.

[LLK]

Oh gee, I was mistaken about an earlier posting of that tree, my apologies. It must have been one that was very similar. Juniper group plantings are notoriously difficult, Shimpaku being about the most rewarding.
Apart from that, I stick with my earlier opinion, namely that your tree has a future if you work hard at it. And I completely agree with craigw60 on that and other maters.

Lisa

[bodhidharma]

Jarrod, is it me or the picture is only 3/4 on the screen. I cant see all of it and i would love to comment.

[Jarrod]

It's to do with the way I posted it!
Sorry, here is the direct link- http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s4/J ... to-934.jpg

[bodhidharma]

That has heaps of potential Jarrod. Gotta stay with it. Thin it out and wire out the branches down a little more,(top ones) the right hand tree should be shortened to the second branch that hangs down and keep it growing that way. A change of pot (glazed oval) white maybe or green would lift it no end. Just some thoughts

[GavinG]

The problem with a raft is that you are stuck with the way the trunks rise from the base - you can't adjust them easily, like in a group.

The basic weakness to me is that the left hand trunk is right at the edge of the pot, and then there is a large gap between it and the next big trunk. The trunks don't harmonise, although they do have similar waves. As Craig says, they look like separate entities.

Is there any chance you could get a beast of a branch-bending clamp, and bend the base root backwards between the two main trunks? It might bring them closer together. Then maybe some cuttings/layerings/little trunks of to the left of the left trunk, so it doesn't drop off so suddenly. There's no reason why you can't have a raft+group planting.

Either that or ground-grow it so the trunks get twice as thick, which will take a while.

Just my thoughts,

Gavin

[Craig]

Jarrod, stick with it mate Regards Craig